Mazda Miata buyer who'd never driven stick is now CEO of academy that teaches drivers how to drive a manual

Ahmed Raza taught himself to drive a stick shift in a second-hand Mazda Miata, then turned that experience into a manual transmission driving school.

The business, now operating in 47 cities across the United States, hires contractors to teach stick-shift lessons using their own cars.

Instructors are paid hourly and are covered under commercial insurance policies arranged by the company.

The model has grown quickly, and the structure behind it explains how a personal milestone became a national program.

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He taught himself to drive a stick shift in a parking lot

Raza’s first exposure to a manual transmission came in 2021 when he bought a 2012 Mazda Miata NC2.

It featured a power-retractable hardtop and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Without prior experience, he used a parking lot to figure out how to operate the car.

He eventually taught himself to drive a stick shift well enough to get home.

Shortly after, he began offering lessons to friends and family.

That informal effort became the basis for Manual Driving Lessons Houston in 2023, which later expanded into the Manual Driving Academy.

The academy does not have physical branches.

Instead, it connects students with independent instructors who use their own manual transmission vehicles to deliver training in their local area.

All instructors are vetted through a remote interview process, which includes a background and driving record check.

Most are referred by current contractors or found through car enthusiast groups.

According to the company, instructors typically earn between $50 and $60 per hour depending on demand and the length of each session.

The structure relies on three fixed packages: The Basics, The Standard, and The Works. The Basics focuses on first gear engagement and parking lot movement.

The Standard covers gear changes, hill starts, and parking scenarios.

The Works adds techniques like rev-matching and advanced clutch use.

Lesson duration ranges from one to four hours depending on the package and the student’s progress.

Upskilling to drive a performance car

The majority of students are aged between 18 and 34.

Some are car enthusiasts aiming to buy or drive performance vehicles equipped with manual transmissions.

Others are preparing for international travel or military deployment in regions where automatic cars are less common.

Instructors typically own cars like the Mazda Miata or other enthusiast vehicles that make learning to drive a manual more engaging.

Because the instructors supply their own vehicles, the company provides commercial insurance to limit personal liability during lessons.

With no permanent locations, the company avoids many of the costs associated with traditional driving schools.

The growth of Manual Driving Academy has been largely attributed to word of mouth in car communities and consistent demand from new drivers seeking hands-on instruction.

Raza’s initial goal was to fill a gap in the market.

As automatic transmissions become the default in most new cars, fewer people know how to drive a manual.

In fact, even the concept of a stick shift is now alien to a large portion of Gen Z drivers.

The academy offers a practical path to learn the skill, using accessible vehicles and instructors already involved in the car enthusiast scene.

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