[Broken_Hippo]

The restriction bit is absolutely correct. I'd guess that a good number of folks that learn on an automatic or take the tests in an automatic do so by choice or physical need, however. Folks have to take courses from a driving school, which supplies the car for both the training and the actual test.

I completely understand why it is a manual transmission holdout. Your anecdote confirms the attitude from my spouse (the native Norwegian) and others. A manual is just safer, both because of the mountains and the snow.