You know that one fake scenario where someone collapses from a heart attack in a remote location and the only available vehicle is a manual 1998 Subaru Forester? And whether they live or die hinges on whether you can drive the car to the nearest hospital?

Yeah. That’s the fear-based manual car propaganda we all grew up with. And look, technically, yes, that’s a thing that could happen. But so could a vending machine falling on you. You don’t see people out here learning how to dodge Coke cans at speed.

So, should you learn to drive a manual car? Depends on whether you give even a tiny sh*t about driving.

Let’s just get this out of the way: if you don’t care, don’t learn

Some people drive because they love it, and others drive because the Uber small delivery fee is too much to justify a to-your-door dessert.

If you are person number two, congratulations, you are very normal. You are fine. And there is no moral or practical reason for you to suffer through a sweaty, jerky, humbling learning curve just so you can one day drive… nothing. Because no one is giving you a manual car. Manual cars are like landlines now. You don’t just end up with one.

You will not be stranded in the bush with an unconscious stranger and a five-speed Hilux. That scenario lives entirely in the minds of our parents.

Unless you actively seek it out, you’ll probably go your whole life without needing to know how to use a clutch. And if you do? Uber exists. You’ll be okay.

But… if you do care, it’s a different story

Every time I write about manual driving, the internet explodes. I’ve written two pieces on it for various publications, and both times they went a bit viral. Because, for some reason, this is the most emotionally charged topic since blaming avocado toast for preventing the Aussie dream of owning a house.

Suddenly, it’s not about driving anymore, it’s about character. Some manual drivers want a badge. Non-manual drivers, on the other hand, want peace. And inevitably, someone’s uncle shows up in the comments to tell us that the problem with this generation is that we're lazy and back in their day, they had to slaughter their own chickens.

But here’s the thing. I wrote those pieces because I didn’t grow up with some burning desire to know how a clutch works. I learned because I was curious. Because I’d heard whispers that it could be... kind of fun.

And honestly? They were right.

At first, you’ll hate it. It’s humbling. You’ll stall in public. You’ll see God on hill starts. You’ll have an identity crisis in a DFO car park late at night. But if you stick with it, you get this moment where something just clicks. It's less like driving and more like controlling a large, rattly metal box with your feet and soul.

And that? That’s joy.

Manual driving is not better. It’s just more alive.

This isn’t one of those “real drivers use three pedals” pieces. I think those are stupid and gatekeepy.

Manual driving isn’t morally superior. It’s just a different kind of experience. More physical. More engaged. More fallible, but in a nice way. Like baking from scratch instead of using a box mix. Same outcome but with more fun and hands-on work.

So, should you?

Here’s the answer:

• If driving feels like a chore, don’t learn.

• If cars do nothing for you, don’t learn.

• If you’re only doing it because someone once told you “you never know,” seriously, don’t learn.

But, if there's even a tiny part of you that thinks driving could be fun… or maybe already is fun... or you're even just a little bit curious about what all the fuss is about? Then yeah, learn.

Because when you’re behind the wheel of something quick, it's a new kind of exhilaration.

It’s not sensible. It’s not necessary. But f*ck it's fun.