A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox, stick shift, n-speed manual (where n is the number of gears), standard, M/T or colloquially a stick (for vehicles with hand-lever shifters), is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications. It uses a driver-operated clutch engaged and disengaged by a foot pedal (automobile) or hand lever (motorcycle), for regulating torque transfer from the engine to the transmission; and a gear selector operated by hand (automobile) or by foot (motorcycle).
A conventional, 5 or 6-speed manual transmission is often the standard equipment in a base-model car; other options include automated transmissions such as an automatic transmission (often a manumatic), a semi-automatic transmission, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The number of gears is often expressed for automatic transmissions as well (e.g., 3-speed automatic), but without qualifier it usually implies a manual transmission.