Driving abroad on holiday. You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check yours is still valid and renew your driving licence online if it If you've never operated a manual vehicle, here are six reasons why it's important to learn how to drive a stick shift, also known as a manual transmission. 1. More Control Of Your Vehicle Driving a stick shift gives you better control of your car. For example, unlike automatic vehicles, you have more freedom to determine your engine's speed. You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have: a paper driving licence a licence that was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man Check if you need an A manual transmission is a direct drive via the clutch. There's two spinning plates in the clutch assembly, and when you push the clutch in, you separate those two plates and disconnect the drive train, the transmission, from the engine. As you let the clutch out, those two plates come together and they spin. And it's called the biting point. How to drive a manual car in nine steps. Get in the car and put on your seatbelt. Put the key in the ignition and turn all the way until the engine starts. Put the clutch pedal down (this the pedal on the left) Move the gear stick into first gear. Use your right foot to press down on the accelerator gently to increase the engine's revs very Also in most euro countries you have an automatic driving licence and a manual one. You cannot drive a manual if you pass with an auto but you can drive an auto if you pass with a manual. So most learn manual so it's the norm there too. We have this in Australia too, but only for the "probationary" period, i.e. the first 3 years. When you get In Europe, your driver's license says what type of transmission did you learn to drive. If you learned on a manual car, you'll get licensed to drive manuals and automatics, if you learned on an automatic, you'll only be able to drive automatic. I love driving a manual, and wish mine wasn't automatic. Vote. Reply. Share. Report Save Subject: driving licence , EU Member State , European driving licence , European Economic Area , European standard , European Union , mutual recognition principle , transport regulations , user guide Driving Tips for Germany: Auto Rental or Leasing Renting and Driving a Car in Europe In order to rent or lease a car in Europe, non-Europeans need a valid driver's license from their home state or province. Although the legal driving age is 18, drivers usually must be over 21 (sometimes even older) to rent a car. (Only 18 for short-term leasing.) Checklist for Driving in the UK. Valid driver's license (required) International Driving Permit (recommended) Passport or ID card (required) A European accident statement, which can be obtained from your car insurance company (required) Accident and breakdown insurance (required) Certificate of insurance (required) Those who drive manual transmission know there is no better way to feel in tune with your car and truly enjoy the journey.The winding, mountainous roads found all over Europe are best driven in a manual transmission car rental. For others, a manual car rental in Europe represents affordability, control, and driving like a local. While not required in all countries, an International Driving Permit can come in handy if you are stopped by police in a foreign country. Available for purchase from AAA