Leslie Massey
Learning to drive a manual car in Australia is not a legal requirement. In fact, most Australians drive automatics, and only a small percentage of cars sold each year come with a manual gearbox. However, there are still many reasons why you should learn to drive a manual, and it is a valuable skill to have. Manual cars give you more control over the vehicle, are often cheaper to buy, and can be more fuel-efficient. Additionally, if you ever plan to drive in Europe, you will need to know how to drive a manual, as over 80% of cars sold there are manual. Learning to drive a manual car takes practice and patience, but it will become second nature with time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual |
| Licence requirement | No specific licence required |
| Licence restrictions | Varies by state |
| Gears | 3-7 gears, plus reverse |
| Gear stick positions | Neutral, reverse, 1-6 |
| Clutch | Required to change gears |
| Clutch pedal | Mounted to the left of the brake pedal |
| Stalling | Common when learning |
| Fuel efficiency | More fuel-efficient than automatic cars |
| Cost | Cheaper to buy and maintain than automatic cars |
| Control | More control over the car |
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What You'll Learn
Learning the clutch and stick shift
Learning to drive a manual car in Australia involves getting to grips with the clutch and stick shift. This can feel overwhelming at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.
The Clutch
The clutch is a pedal on the left, which you operate with your left foot. When you push the clutch down, you are disengaging the assembly, allowing you to change gears. When you release it, the friction of the assembly starts moving, causing the car to move forward.
The Stick Shift
The stick shift, or gear stick, is located in the middle of the car, between the driver and passenger seats. It is used to change gears. To change gears, you depress the clutch pedal with your left foot and push the gear stick in an increasing or decreasing sequence.
When you are learning, it is best to find a large, empty space, such as a parking lot, to practice. You will need to get used to the motion of pressing the clutch with your left foot while moving the gear stick with your hand. Practice shifting through the gears with the engine off and the clutch engaged.
You will also need to learn the friction point—the point at which the clutch is released enough for the car to start moving. To do this, slowly lift your foot from the clutch pedal and listen for the engine speed to begin to drop. Then push the clutch back in. Repeat this until you can instantly recognize the sound.
When you are ready to start driving, press the clutch down with your left foot and move the gear stick into first gear. Then, slowly release the clutch while gently pressing down on the accelerator with your right foot.
Stopping the car involves a similar process. Press the clutch, move the gear stick to neutral, and release the clutch. Then, press the brake pedal to slow down and stop.
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Starting a manual car
First, put on your seatbelt and make sure the gear stick is in the neutral position, which is usually in the middle of the gear selector positions. Depress the clutch pedal, which is the pedal on the left, all the way to the floor. This is important for safety reasons and to ensure the car doesn't move.
Next, start the car by turning the ignition. Keep the clutch pedal on the floor and put your right foot on the brake pedal. Select the first gear by moving the gear stick accordingly. Now, it's time to release the handbrake (also known as the e-brake or parking brake) while maintaining pressure on the foot brake. This will prevent the car from rolling forwards or backwards.
To start moving, slowly release the pressure on the clutch pedal, allowing it to rise gradually. Simultaneously, gently press down on the accelerator with your right foot to increase the engine revs. You'll need to find the "bite point" or "biting point", where the car's plates make contact and begin to transfer power to the wheels. This can be felt when the clutch pedal starts to vibrate.
Once you've found the bite point, you can continue to increase the revs while lifting your foot off the clutch, using only the accelerator to move. Remember, it's normal to stall a few times when learning, so don't be discouraged! With practice, driving a manual car will become second nature.
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Stopping smoothly
Timing is Key
Disengage the Clutch
To keep the car from stalling when stopping, you can disengage the clutch by pushing in the clutch pedal or shifting to neutral. You can also take the shift lever through the gears to match the gear to the engine speed. However, it is important to note that coasting to an intersection in neutral is illegal in some states.
Use the Brakes Smoothly
Depress the brake pedal smoothly and gradually to slow down and come to a stop. Avoid hitting the brake pedal hard at any point. Using the brakes in this manner will help you avoid jerking or stalling the car.
Use the Gas Pedal More and the Clutch Pedal Less
You can reduce the wear on your clutch by using the gas pedal more and the clutch pedal less. This can be done by "riding the clutch," which involves keeping the accelerator pedal depressed and moderating your speed with the clutch pedal.
Take Advantage of Engine Braking
Engine braking involves slowing the engine to slow down the car, often by shifting to a lower gear. This technique reduces the force on the wheels and the wear on the brakes. It can be especially useful when descending long hills with curves. By downshifting and using engine braking, you can smoothly push the foot brake to slow down before entering the curve.
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Hill starts
Prepare Your Vehicle:
- Ensure your handbrake is firmly on to prevent the car from rolling backward.
- Depress the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor.
- Put the gear stick into first gear, which is usually the best choice for hill starts as it provides the power needed to move against gravity.
Get Ready to Move:
- Gently press down on the accelerator pedal while slowly releasing the clutch pedal.
- Listen for the engine sound to change slightly, indicating that you've reached the "biting point." This is when the car wants to move.
- Check your mirrors and surroundings to ensure it's safe to proceed.
Start Moving Uphill:
- Once you've confirmed it's safe, gradually release the handbrake while continuing to bring the clutch pedal up slowly.
- The car will start to move forward. Maintain a gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal to prevent stalling.
- As you gain momentum, you can start shifting to higher gears, but remember to stay in a lower gear when driving uphill to maintain power and control.
Practice and Tips:
- Find a quiet hill to practice your hill starts and gain confidence.
- Remember that measured clutch control is crucial in hill starts. Practice coordinating the clutch, gas, and handbrake to get the timing right.
- If your car has Hill Start Assist technology, it will keep your car stationary for a brief period, making it easier to find the clutch biting point.
- The heel-toe technique is another approach where you use your right foot to simultaneously press the brake, clutch, and gas pedals, allowing for a smooth transition.
Remember, learning to drive a manual car takes time and practice. Don't be discouraged by stalls or jerky starts; each attempt brings you closer to becoming a skilled and confident manual driver, even on hilly terrain.
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Licence restrictions
In Australia, driver's licences and their restrictions are managed by state and territory governments. While licences are generally recognised in other states and territories, the lack of an Australia-wide licensing scheme means rules vary by jurisdiction. Therefore, it is the driver's responsibility to know the rules governing each state.
In some states, such as New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, and Queensland, there are restrictions on who can drive manual cars. If you obtain your licence in an automatic car, you may only be permitted to drive vehicles with automatic transmissions until you pass your probationary licence.
For example, in NSW, if you obtain your P1 licence in an automatic car, you can only drive automatic vehicles until you pass your P2 licence. In Victoria, this restriction stays in place through both the P1 and P2 licences until you obtain your unrestricted licence. In Queensland, if you obtain your licence in an automatic car, you will be given a class CA licence, and you will only be licensed to drive an automatic.
Western Australia requires you to obtain a Learner's Permit to learn to drive a manual transmission car under supervision before sitting a practical driving test in a manual car to remove the automatic-only restriction. Tasmania has similar restrictions, which can be removed after three years.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't legally have to learn how to drive a manual car in Australia. However, it is a handy skill to have, especially if you plan on driving in Europe, where most cars are manual.
Manual cars offer more control over the vehicle and are often cheaper to buy and use less fuel. Learning to drive a manual car will also give you more options when buying a car as you will be able to drive both manual and automatic vehicles.
First, sit in the driver's seat and ensure you can comfortably reach the pedals. The clutch is on the far left, the brake is in the middle, and the gas pedal is on the right. Next, press the clutch pedal with your left foot and check that the gear stick is in the 'neutral' position. Then, start the car.
To change gears, depress the clutch pedal with your left foot and use your right hand to push the gear stick forward or backward. The number of gears varies depending on the car, but there are usually between three and seven gears, plus a reverse gear.
