What is the common term for a vehicle's transmission type where the driver manually shifts gears?

The common term for a vehicle’s transmission type in which the driver manually shifts gears is manual transmission.

A manual transmission requires the driver to select gear ratios with a gear stick and operate a clutch, usually with a foot pedal in a car. Pressing the clutch temporarily disconnects the engine from the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears smoothly before reconnecting the drivetrain.

Early automobiles used simple sliding-mesh gearboxes, sometimes called “crash boxes,” because shifting required careful timing and could produce grinding noises. Modern manual gearboxes generally use constant-mesh gears and synchronizers, which match rotational speeds and make ordinary gear changes much easier. Most contemporary passenger-car manuals have five or six forward gears.

“Stick shift,” “manual gearbox,” and “standard transmission” are other common names. A dual-clutch transmission may contain components similar to a manual gearbox, but its computer-controlled clutches shift automatically. Likewise, a CVT changes its ratio continuously, while an automatic transmission handles gear selection without the driver operating a clutch pedal.