How hard is it to drive on the left?

[Doug Dawson]

This raises a good point, if you are not comfortable with a standard transmission/stick shift, make sure your rental agency can have an automatic available for you.

I have been to several countries where 90% of vehicles or more are standard transmission. In France they told me they only stocked a few automatics for Americans because by and large, Americans were the only customers that did not know how to drive a stick. Driving a stick seems to be another dying skill, at least in the US.

Automatic transmissions (formerly known as "slush boxes") have gotten so good in recent years that there's no longer any reason to pay attention to the alternative. Driving a stick is becoming increasingly associated with poverty.

Kind of like turning up your nose at anti-lock brakes, IMO.