The West reporter Caitlin Vinci learns the dying art of driving a manual car

A clutch is a type of bag — one I usually pair with matching heels and a very classy dress.

So, on Thursday, when someone asked me to “find the clutch” my first instinct was to go to my wardrobe.

But apparently, or so I recently learnt, there’s another kind of clutch — and knowing how to use it is essential if you want to get anywhere in a manual car.

My famous last words before my very first attempt at driving a manual? “What’s a clutch?”

I stared down at the three pedals on the floor. My first thought: why are there three when I only have two feet?

My second thought: okay… but which one is the so-called clutch?

Suddenly, I was hit with flashbacks to being sixteen, arguing with my dad about why on earth I would ever need to know how to drive a manual.

I used laughter to calm my nerves. But if someone didn’t point me in the right direction there was no way I was starting that car.

After learning I had to have one foot on the break and the other on the clutch while I turned the key, I finally heard the engine running.

In hindsight, this was the easy part.

I shifted the gear stick into first — which was doable thanks to the very helpful diagram — and I knew I had to press the accelerator to move, but with what foot, they were a bit busy holding down the clutch and the break.

As I slowly released both feet off the pedals, the car started to jolt — and again and again — until it stopped completely.

The only thing I can do confidently after this experience is say that I have no idea how to drive a manual car.