If you're planning a trip through Europe, setting your own pace by renting a car seems like the way to go, right? After all, you don't have to worry about confusing public transit systems or noisy tourist buses. There's just one teeny-tiny factor that could throw an enormous wrench in your plans.
Shifting Gears
No, we're not talking about the fact that some European countries drive on the other side of the road. In fact, the majority of the continent drives on the right-hand side of the road, just like we do. No, the real thing you should look out for is your car's transmission.
Driving manual, or stick shift, is something of a lost art in North America. Only about 3% of all cars sold are manual. The past few generations of drivers don't even know how to drive manual—and why should they?
While automatic driving may be the epitome of convenience at home, it isn't the case abroad. In Europe, roughly 80% of all vehicles have manual transmission. This means that your rental car is more than likely to be manual rather than automatic.
There are a few areas in which Europe broadly sits head and shoulders above America. Healthcare and transit are two examples. Vehicle transmission is not one of them.
Why Do Europeans Prefer Manual?
One thing that many tourists find eye-popping about Europe is the price of gas. Higher prices mean that manual cars the fuel-efficient choice for the majority of car owners. Topography also plays a big part in the reason why manual transmissions are preferred.
To speak extremely broadly, Europe and America both have varied terrain; however, the terrain is varied in vastly different ways. While many major American cities are built to be traversed and states are connected by highways, the same cannot be said for Europe's metropolitan areas. Medieval city centers can be bumpy and tight; countryside driving has sharper turns than American drivers are used to.
In short, there are a variety of factors that make Europeans prize manual transmissions over automatic. Driver control and cultural preferences also play a part, but those factors are more personal. The gap between manual and automatic cars may be closing, but it's closing slowly.
That said, all hope isn't lost if you are set on getting a car with an automatic transmission. Rental dealerships still offer them, though you may have to pay a little bit extra or communicate your needs in advance. Though, this is a small price to pay for feeling secure on foreign roads.
Know Before You Go
If you're up for the challenge, however, driving a manual car can be an excellent way to travel like a local. And, if you're one of the 3% of American drivers who prefer manual transmission, then you have an edge on all the other tourists!
So, what to do if you're planning an international road trip but haven't had reason to drive manual for the past few decades. One thing you're not going to want to do is assume that driving a manual car is like riding a bike. For starters, a car is a lot more dangerous than a bike, and trying to pick up old skills on the road could put your life along with the lives of others at risk.
Your best bet is to practice a few weeks before your trip. If you know a gearhead, they probably have a manual car you can practice on. If not, renting a manual car for practice isn't always easy given the low percentage of manual cars Stateside, but it is the most reliable way to feel comfortable driving manual.
