Is a stick shift really that difficult?

If you have never driven stick, don't start on vacation in a rental car. Rent an automatic, or use the train.

Splurge and go with the automatic... between the driving on the 'wrong' side and the narrow roads, you will be happy to have one less thing to get used to

If he is doing the driving and wants it, YES, get the AT.

I've had two or three opportunities over the years to try it. Hopping and jerking around a parking lot. Never did get the hang of it.

Get the automatic, during a vacation is not the time to learn.

I learned my driving in Europe, yes, with the stick. Now, of course, I prefer automatic, but if I have to I am still pretty proficient with the stick (to shift with the right hand). I am afraid I would not be brave enough to drive on narrow Ireland roads on the left hand side and shift with my left hand. Driver must feel safe. You got several options:
1. Pay for automatic
2. Drive yourself with the stick shift
3. Hire a driver
4. Use public transport
5. Don't go to Ireland

Thank you. Also why are the prices for rentals all over the place. I got a quote from Avis For $700.00 for everything including insurance and Dan Dooley was $1060.00. Don't know who to trust!!!

Having returned from Ireland last month where I rented a six-speed manual transmission, I would encourage you to book an automatic especially if your husband wants you to do so. My husband did not express a preference, and I, too, was swayed by the significant difference in price. Though we--I should say he as my husband wound up being the sole driver by choice--made it safely around the island in two weeks of driving without incident, the driving soured the trip a bit for my husband. Adapting to the sometimes very narrow roads, the left-hand driving, the roundabouts, etc. are enough with which to contend. (I'm so glad we heeded advice here in these forums and did not even pick up a car until we left Dublin.)

By the way, my husband drove comfortably on the left-hand side of the road on Okinawa for months with no qualms, and we both drove manuals here in the states for years (and still have one). Driving in Ireland proved to be a more taxing experience than either of us anticipated--even with all that we had read in preparation for the trip.

I would really like to return to Ireland, but if and when we do, we will probably opt for trains, buses, and private drivers to get us from here to there.

I taught two daughter to drive a stick shift. In the beginning I sat in the passenger seat and shifted for them, left handed. No problem. But I'm pretty ambidextrous; I taught myself to throw a baseball and hit left handed.

But what concerns me is, out of habit, turning a corner into the oncoming lane. Roundabouts would be particularly dangerous. I would do almost anything to avoid driving in Britain. I know rail transport is not nearly as good in Britain, but I would figure out some way to get where I wanted to go without driving.

Says he would feel safer with an automatic.

Having driven in Ireland, so would I. There is an awful lot to pay attention to driving in the U.S., in Ireland, as a visitor, multiply x2.

The price difference is insane.

Um...insane? How much more? It is certainly higher, but it is also certainly worth it, imho. I wonder if it would be helpful to shop some more.

Since I drive a stick shift car every day at home, I had no trouble getting used to it with my left hand. But it's true that you have a lot of different navigation issues to attend to at the same time.

I've driven in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland in a stick shift car; I prefer driving a stick, and drive one at home. I would say that driving a manual transmission was not the most difficult part, it was always having to remain alert to driving on the left. I was the sole driver, hubby was the navigator. Someone else in the car had to always be awake and paying attention - their main job was to (quietly) shout "stay left" when I was turning the car right - it's the easiest place to forget and slide over to the right side of the road. Driving on a highway is easier; it will feel just like driving at home. And I found even narrow country roads to be less stressful, because there were fewer other cars on them.

I love driving a stick shift! Having said that, I would never drive one in the UK. As others have mentioned, you are driving on the opposite side of the road, sitting on the what we call the passenger side and trying to shift with your left hand. It's just too nerve racking. I have driven a shift in other European countries where they drive like we do in the States, so I'm not opposed to it. But for the above stated reasons, I won't try it in the UK. Go for the automatic, you won't regret the extra money you have to spend.

I know how to drive a manual transmission, my first car (truck) had one (and still does). I have driven a manual in countries that drive on the right in Europe, but I would not want to try it in a country that drives on the left. I last drove in Ireland in May 2016, previously in 2002. Have also driven in England, in 2000 and 2013. Even though the foot pedals are the same, shifting with the left hand is too much. The real expense is generally the insurance, which for super CDW doubled to the cost to around $70 a day. Get the super CDW, for sure. Ireland is expensive for car rentals but B&Bs are reasonable and you save money on entrance fees, so it evens out. Also, look into booking through Auto Europe.

I've driven only stick-shifts since I learned to drive but can't imagine shifting with my left hand. Never realized that would be thrown into the mix, too. OMG.

I learned to drive with an automatic car. (Driver's ed told us that everyone drove these. Yeah, right.)

I know how to drive a stick shift. My other half also swore that he'd never drive in a stick shift with me again. It might have had something to do with confusing the brake and the shift pedal at the wrong moment.

Long story short - pay for the automatic if that's what the driver says is more comfortable.

I've driven only stick-shifts since I learned to drive but can't imagine shifting with my left hand. Never realized that would be thrown into the mix, too. OMG.

Left-handed shifting (if you're used to a manual) has never been as much as an issue for me as left-handed driving. First is still up and to the left, you're just pushing it there rather than pulling it.

You (OP) seem to be implying that he does know how to drive a standard. In that case, I'd rent a standard.

The large number of credit card insurances that are invalid in Ireland should suggest to you how difficult any driving on the left is for Americans. Enough said?

I would not want to have to deal with the clutch while having to back up to a passing spot while on some of the narrow roads in some of the steep steep passes in west Ireland. When meeting larger vehicles or even similar sized vehicles on many of the one lane roads and often having to back up hill you will appreciate the fact you don't have to deal with a clutch. Parking also can be a challenge when clutching and trying to squeeze into some of the tiny parking spots.

Get an automatic and try to get the smallest automatic you can book that will be comfortable for you. Don't let the rental company "upgrade" you to a larger car. The roads can be very narrow in Ireland and you will have trouble staying in your lane because you're driving on the left. Parking spots can also be tiny.

Rates can vary considerably depending on what insurance choices are offered. Be sure to check AutoEurope to see what a consolidator might give you for a good rate.

You should pay close attention to AVogan's description of driving in Ireland. I had read that automatic would be much less stressful and my husband saw the logic, ignored the price and did it. Riding with him is stressful under normal circumstances but he actually did well in Ireland despite the fact that driving there is definitely an adventure(that he doesn't want to do again!)

I have driven on some of the most challenging roads in Scotland and I agree with the post by "T."

"T" is so correct about getting the smallest car, narrow roads, etc. Much narrower than you would expect and VERY tight spots. I am a long time "stick" driver and there is no way I would want to risk clutching out of a tight parking spot. So, when I decided to drive around the Outer Hebrides in Scotland (mostly one-lane roads) I decided to indulge and get the automatic.

Also...check all the insurance issues before you rent. Does your insurance cover tires? Road service? I found that these were all "extras" when I rented. I checked with my own insurance and benefits through AAA (USA Auto Club) and my own car insurance. While I was well-covered, I still had to take out extra insurance to assure there would be no deductible if someone hit me or vice versa, plus insurance for tires and road service.

I drive a five speed here at home so we rented a manual in both Ireland and Scotland and I did the driving and my husband was the navigator. Sitting on the right hand side of car and shifting with my left hand was not the issue but I never found driving on the left hand side of the road natural in any way. Turn left....stay left just was not natural to me and the two lane round abouts were especially challenging. So.....if your husband is doing the driving I would not care how much it cost for him to be comfortable. He will have enough challenges to deal with...
We have been to Ireland twice and Scotland once for a total of two months. England is on our schedule but we will not be driving!!

The UK is the only place I specify an automatic. Even after about a dozen trips over there, I still don't feel confident enough to rent a vehicle with a MT. The rest of Europe a MT is fine

Hi Meredith, we just returned from Ireland. Driving on the other side of narrow, windy roads, with a left-handed stick shift? No way. If your husband feels safer with an automatic, get one. It's your vacation (and his), enjoy it!

Yes, the percentage difference between renting an automatic and renting the much cheaper stick shift is HUGE. But the actual dollar difference in terms of your total trip cost is really small -- and yes, the reduction in stress IS worth it. Driver's choice!

A stick shift isn't too difficult if you don't stop on uphill slopes. Shifting on flats or downhill are not difficult.

Bill Cosby currently has bigger problems than driving Frisco hill, but here's his discription of stick shift driving up hills with stop signs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmayx2JBs8&feature=youtu.be

We rented a stick shift in South Africa. I reserved it and didn't tell hubby before we picked up the car. He is a very nice man, and after strongly voicing his opinion of my bad planning, we left Johannesburg with him working the clutch and me doing the shifting. I also kept saying to stay left at every turn and traffic circle. We made it but had moments of terror.

My husband did quite well driving a stick shift in Ireland. Go him! However, he is an amateur dirt bike racer. He said driving in Ireland is similar to dirt bike racing in that you have to be completely alert and focused at all times

I was a mailman (letter Carrier) for many years, and used a USPS jeep, which had the steering wheel on the right. Even with that experience, the trick to driving in Ireland is to keep repeating "stay Left, look Right".

I learned to drive with both a manual transmission and an automatic at the same time. I've only bought stick shift cars throughout my life, cause I like the control.

Though I have driven in Ireland (manual), I wouldn't do it again! Too many tourists behind the wheel, and I keep reading about head-on collisions, not to mention all the texting and GPS searches people do while driving!

Hire a driver; there's lots of people out of work over there, who KNOW the roads. Or, use mass transit.
That's my advice.

I've driven a stick a couple of times now in UK/Ireland, and off to Dublin and N. Ireland in a couple of weeks.
Couple of tips.
1. You need to be a confident driver who can already drive a manual obviously
2. Definitely use a gps unit.Bring your own and pre load the maps. What a god send!
3. Mentally always say to yourself "Left of centre"
4. Just like boating. Sometimes go slow, then go slower
5. The pattern is also opposite. e.g first gear is nearest you at home, but away from you in UK. This can cause the occasional miss in to third or fourth, and maybe a stall.
6. If you stall, be aware many rentals restart when you depress the clutch. Glance at the tachometer.
7. Be aware you will drift toward the curb. This will scare your passenger, and you will hit sidewalks and shrubs. Consciously practice being far enough to the right.
8. In Ireland and especially around some tourist areas like cliffs of Moher. Be prepared on a blind corner to have someone come the other way. Occasionally it will be a big tour bus with big mirrors.
9. Don't panic, buy in to it and have fun. You'll be fine
10. Most importantly as a pedestrian don't just step off the curb. You're looking the wrong way!
Philip in Toronto

Just returned from two months England/Ireland. I drive stick. Used phone for GPS. Am 70 female experienced solo traveler. You need to already drive stick for a while! I have. I did it easily but am experienced. In England drove Cornwall and Kent back roads. They are similar to Ireland's Dingell peninsula. Age is a factor and I have been denied car rental in Dublin once due to age but then got another easily ( thank you Budget). Excellent safety record helps. And no drinking then driving. Often have 6 inch (or god forbid less) space between vehicles. Back off when Necessary. Do remember they live there and go faster than you have to. Keep yourself in the middle of the road, someone told me, and the middle line to your right or you will be buying new tires. Grow some. Do all this or get an automatic and do most of this. Barbara

Just returned from two months England/Ireland. I drive stick. Used phone for GPS. Am 70 female experienced solo traveler. You need to already drive stick for a while! I have. I did it easily but am experienced. In England drove Cornwall and Kent back roads. They are similar to Ireland's Dingell peninsula. Age is a factor and I have been denied car rental in Dublin once due to age but then got another easily ( thank you Budget). Excellent safety record helps. And no drinking then driving. Often have 6 inch (or god forbid less) space between vehicles. Back off when Necessary. Do remember they live there and go faster than you have to. Keep yourself in the middle of the road, someone told me, and the middle line to your right or you will be buying new tires. Grow some. Do all this or get an automatic and do most of this. Barbara

Just joining this conversation because we returned from three weeks in Ireland on the 8th. We got an automatic from Ace car rental through Travelocity. It wasn't as expensive as any of the competitors. We also got the Travelocity insurance which was much cheaper than Ace's. (It's called EasiRent in Dublin and you have to call for a shuttle to pick you up.)

To answer your question, though, YES (especially in the UK and Ireland) get the automatic because many of the roads are incredibly narrow with ditches or walls on either side. Do you really want your husband to be thinking about shifting with his left hand in addition to driving on the other side on a tiny 100kph (60mph) country road? Just being on the wrong side means that you aren't familiar with the width of your car. Oh yeah, he'll probably also be looking at a sat nav system, too.

All things being equal, he'd probably do fine with a standard transmission, but all things are not equal in Ireland.