Things You'll Need:
- Car with manual transmission
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Step 1
Find an empty parking lot to practice in.
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Step 2
Get familiar with the clutch. Your left foot will be resting here whenever you are driving. Know how far it goes down, how much resistance it gives, etc.
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Step 3
Put the car in neutral by either pushing down on the clutch or putting the stick in the middle position out of gear.
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Step 4
Start the car. If the car is not moving you must always leave it in neutral by either holding down on the clutch or having the stick in the neutral (middle) position.
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Step 5
CRUCIAL STEP! Hold down the clutch and move the stick into first gear. SLOWLY release your foot from the clutch while giving the car a VERY small amount of gas.
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Step 6
Observe how far you must release the clutch until the car starts to move. Practice this step over and over until you can smoothly get the car into first gear.
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Step 7
Once you have mastered first gear you are almost set. Practice moving from first gear to second gear when the RPM reaches about 2.5. You will find this transition to be incredibly easy compared to first gear. Just remember two only give a small amount of gas at all time.
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Step 8
Once you have mastered the above steps find a slight hill with no traffic such as one in a parking lot. Repeat step 5 until you can get the car into gear without moving backwards. You will need to give the car slightly more gas than when you are on a flat surface.
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Step 9
Practice making turns. When turning leave the car in second gear, do not take turns in neutral.
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Step 10
When approaching a stop practice down shifting (slowing the car down by shifting to a lower gear while applying the brake). This is very simple but it does take awhile to make a habit of it.
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Step 11
Once you have completed these steps you are ready to drive when you feel comfortable. Always have someone who knows how to drive a stick with you while you are learning just in case.
