Learning to drive a standard vehicle takes more practice than a car with an automatic transmission. A standard transmission requires the driver to master the use of a clutch and a stick shift. A driver who fails to get practice can endanger other motorists. He should have an understanding of how to drive a standard vehicle and get some off-road practice before getting behind the wheel on public roads.
Familiarize yourself with the three floor pedals. You use the right-side accelerator pedal to increase the speed of the vehicle. Use the brake pedal (in the middle) to decrease vehicle speed or stop. You can find the clutch on the left. The clutch is the one pedal that is only on standard vehicles. You use the clutch when changing gears with the stick shift.
Press the clutch as far down as it will go and apply the brake pedal. Release the emergency brake if it is on. Move the stick shift into neutral. Most stick shifts have numbers for the forward gears and an "R" for the reverse gear. You can determine that the stick shift is in neutral by wiggling it. The stick will wiggle back and forth when you move it. Turn the key to start the car while still pressing on the clutch and brake.
Put the vehicle in first gear if you are moving forward, or reverse if you need to back up the vehicle. With your foot still holding down the clutch, release your foot from the brake pedal and move it to the accelerator. Gently apply pressure to the accelerator while slowly releasing the clutch at the same time. The car will start to move.
Press down the clutch and move the stick shift into second gear as you continue to accelerate. Always release the accelerator before shifting to a higher gear. You then use the same process of applying pressure to the accelerator and releasing the clutch at the same time. The general rule of thumb is to change gears at about 3000 revolutions per minute. However, you will need to practice on a particular vehicle to find the best speed at which to change gears for that vehicle. Repeat this same process to shift gears as you accelerate.
Use the brake to slow down the vehicle. As the vehicle slows down, the engine will sound like it is losing power. It will start to sputter if you wait too long to downshift. Press the clutch down again to shift into a lower gear. You then release the clutch slowly in the same manner as when you are shifting to higher gears. However, you do not have to press on the accelerator if you intend on decreasing your speed. Repeat the same process until you reach first gear again.
Hold down on the clutch and brake when you are ready to park the vehicle. Keep the stick shift in first gear when you stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. Do not leave the stick shift in neutral. The car can roll if you leave it in neutral. Apply the parking brake before exiting the vehicle.
