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Younger generations are losing this crucial driving skill
New York Post • • world
Key Points:
- Only 18% of Americans know how to drive a manual (stick shift), with the skill especially rare among younger drivers; 35% of Gen Z never learned compared to 9% of baby boomers.
- Manual transmissions are increasingly rare in the US, making up less than 2% of cars sold in 2024 and just 0.6% of 2025 model year vehicles, down from 35% in 1980.
- Driving a stick shift requires multitasking and coordination, which some experts say improves driver engagement and focus, benefiting especially neurodivergent drivers like those with ADHD.
- Despite fewer manual drivers, many believe stick drivers are more skilled and impressive; however, most manual drivers rarely use the skill due to the scarcity of manual cars.
- While manual transmissions offer better control in certain conditions, modern automatic cars provide advanced safety features; the decline of stick shifts reflects broader cultural shifts toward convenience and simplified driving.
