How to tell if your car has an automatic transmission

If your vehicle has only two pedals and the gear selector shows P-R-N-D (and possibly S, L, M, or +/-), you have an automatic transmission; if there’s a third pedal (a clutch) and an H-pattern shifter labeled with gears 1–5/6, it’s a manual. Below is a clear checklist to confirm, plus explanations for modern variants like CVT, dual-clutch, hybrids, and EVs that can make the answer less obvious.

Quick checks inside the cabin

These simple observations usually tell you immediately whether your car is automatic or manual without starting the engine.

• Look at the pedals: two pedals (accelerator and brake) indicate automatic; three pedals (including a clutch) indicate manual.
• Check the shifter markings: P-R-N-D (often with S, L, B, or M/±) is automatic; an H-pattern with 1–5/6 (and possibly R) is manual.
• Instrument cluster indicators: automatic cars typically display P, R, N, D, S, or M on the dash; manuals usually show just the current gear in performance models or none at all.
• Paddle shifters: these do not mean the car is a manual; many automatics and dual-clutch automatics include paddles for manual mode.
• Shifter style: buttons, a rotary dial, a stalk on the steering column, or a sliding electronic selector are overwhelmingly associated with automatics.

In most cars built in the last decade, these cabin cues make the transmission type obvious within seconds, even if the shifter isn’t a traditional lever.

Step-by-step confirmation

If you want to be methodical or the car’s controls are unfamiliar, follow this sequence to confirm with certainty.

1. Count the pedals. Two means automatic; three means manual.
2. Read the gear selector labels. Presence of Park (P) confirms automatic.
3. Turn ignition on (engine off) and check the dash for a PRND display.
4. Move the shifter through positions; an automatic will cycle through P-R-N-D and sometimes S/L/B/M.
5. Consult the owner’s manual section titled “Transmission,” “Driving,” or “Specifications.”
6. If still unsure, decode the VIN using the manufacturer’s website or the NHTSA VIN decoder, which often lists “Transmission Style” and “Number of Gears.”

Completing these steps removes ambiguity, especially on vehicles with unusual selectors or manual modes.

Other ways to confirm without driving

If you don’t have the keys or prefer not to move the vehicle, these sources can positively identify the transmission.

• Monroney window sticker or build sheet: look for “Transmission: X-speed automatic/CVT/dual-clutch” or “X-speed manual.”
• VIN decoding: use the automaker’s VIN lookup or the NHTSA VIN Decoder; many listings include transmission type and gear count.
• Service records or under-hood labels: dealership invoices and some emission labels note transmission type or codes.
• Online listings by trim: cross-check your exact trim/year with the manufacturer’s site; many trims are auto-only today.

Paperwork and VIN tools are especially helpful if the vehicle has been modified or the shifter has been replaced.

Understanding modern transmission types

Automatic variants you might see

“Automatic” now covers several technologies; any of these count as automatic because they shift without a driver-operated clutch.

• Conventional automatic (torque-converter): classic PRND; smooth creep in Drive; typically labeled 6-speed, 8-speed, 10-speed, etc.
• CVT (continuously variable): often shows D plus L/S/B modes; engine revs may hold steady as speed changes; common in Nissan, Subaru, Toyota non-turbo models.
• Dual-clutch automatic (DCT): no clutch pedal but shifts via two clutches; may feel sportier and shift very quickly; often offers paddles and an M mode.
• Automated manual/“single-clutch automated”: rare today; behaves like an automatic but can feel jerky at low speeds; still no clutch pedal.

If there’s no clutch pedal and the car can select gears by itself, it’s considered an automatic regardless of whether it’s torque-converter, CVT, or DCT.

Manual transmissions

Manuals have a clutch pedal and a shifter that selects specific gears in an H-pattern (or sequential pattern in rare performance models). Your left foot must operate the clutch to start from a stop and change gears. Modern manuals may include rev-matching or hill-hold, but they always require the clutch pedal for gear changes.

Hybrids and EVs

Most hybrids use e-CVTs (electrically controlled automatics) with PRND and sometimes a B mode for extra regenerative braking; they’re automatics. Battery EVs use single-speed reduction gearboxes and present PRND via buttons, stalks, or touch controls; they are driven like automatics even though they’re not multi-speed in the traditional sense.

Edge cases that can confuse

Some designs blur the lines. These notes help you avoid misidentifying your transmission.

• Manual mode on an automatic (M or +/-) doesn’t make it a manual; there’s still no clutch pedal.
• Paddle shifters appear on many automatics and DCTs; they do not imply a manual transmission.
• Rotary dials, push-button selectors, and column-mounted stalks are almost always automatic controls.
• Some older “automated manuals” have creep behavior and manual-like shifts but still lack a clutch pedal.
• Track-focused cars with sequential race boxes are rare on the street; if there’s no clutch pedal for normal driving, it’s functionally an automatic.

When in doubt, return to the basics: pedal count, PRND markings, and the owner’s manual or VIN data.

What your VIN and paperwork can tell you

The 17-character VIN can be decoded on the automaker’s site or the NHTSA VIN Decoder to show the transmission type and gear count for many models. The original window sticker (Monroney) lists the exact transmission installed. Dealer parts departments can also confirm via your VIN by referencing transmission codes tied to your build.

FAQ

These are common follow-up questions people have when determining transmission type.

• Can an automatic have no Park position? Some older European automatics and heavy-duty applications use Neutral plus a parking brake instead of P, but passenger cars since the 1990s almost always include P.
• What does B mean on my shifter? It increases engine braking or regenerative braking (common on hybrids and some CVTs); it’s still an automatic.
• My car “creeps” forward in Drive—what does that indicate? Creep is typical of torque-converter automatics; some DCTs simulate creep.

These nuances don’t change the core identification: the absence of a clutch pedal and presence of PRND strongly indicate an automatic.

Summary

You have an automatic transmission if the car has only two pedals and a selector with PRND (often plus S/L/B/M or +/-). A third pedal and an H-pattern shifter mean manual. When controls are unconventional, confirm via the instrument cluster, owner’s manual, or VIN/build documentation.

How do I know if my car has an automatic transmission?

Conversely, if you only have to place your car into drive or reverse to make it move, and there is no clutch pedal, you know your vehicle uses an automatic transmission.

How do I know if my car has a manual transmission?

Unlike a car with an automatic transmission, you will notice that a manual car uses a third pedal, known as the clutch. The clutch will be the pedal on the far left.

How do I know if my transmission is auto or manual?

You can tell if your transmission is automatic or manual by checking for a clutch pedal, which only manuals have, or by the letters on the gear selector. An automatic gear selector will have letters like P, R, N, and D, while a manual will have numbered gears. 
Check the gear selector 

• Automatic: Opens in new tabLook for letters such as P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), and D (Drive).
• Manual: Opens in new tabThe gear selector will typically have numbers for the different gears, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Check the pedals

• Automatic: There will be two pedals on the floor: a gas pedal and a brake pedal. 
• Manual: There will be three pedals: the gas pedal, the brake pedal, and a smaller clutch pedal to its left, which you use to change gears. 

Check your owner’s manual 

• Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will clearly state what type of transmission your car has.

Check the VIN decoder 

• You can use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your car to decode the transmission type.

Check the vehicle’s RPO code 

• Look for the Service Parts Identification (RPO) sticker, often found in the glovebox. Codes starting with “M” indicate a manual transmission.

You can find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the dashboard or inside the driver’s side door frame.

Can my VIN number tell me what transmission I have?

Yes, your VIN can often tell you your vehicle’s transmission, but it’s not always a direct code; you’ll typically need to use a VIN decoder or check your manufacturer’s specifications. The Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), characters 4 through 8 in the VIN, contains information about the engine and sometimes the transmission type, but this information isn’t always encoded into the VIN. For the most accurate results, use a reliable online VIN decoder like the NHTSA VIN decoder or contact the manufacturer directly. 
How to find your transmission information using the VIN:

1. Locate your VIN: This 17-character number is found on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield, or on a sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb. 
2. Use a VIN decoder: Enter your VIN into a reputable VIN decoder tool. 
3. Check the VDS: Look at the information decoded from the 4th through 8th characters of the VIN, as this section describes the vehicle’s engine, model, and transmission. 
4. Consult the manufacturer: For more detailed or confirmed information, visit your vehicle manufacturer’s website and use their vehicle-specific specifications section or contact the manufacturer directly for clarification. 

Why a VIN might not be enough:

• Lack of encoding: Not every manufacturer encodes transmission information into the VIN, and some may only provide a basic “automatic” or “manual” designation. 
• Model variations: When a specific model has multiple transmission options, the VIN may not contain enough detail to identify the exact unit. 
• Errors: VIN decoding information isn’t always perfect and can sometimes contain errors, so it’s a good idea to cross-reference with other sources.