Abstract: Stepped-ratio gearing for motor vehicles incorporates a simplified arrangement for the noiseless engagement of reverse ratio, by the use of a synchronizing arrangement for one of the forward ratios.For this purpose a motion-transmitting member is connected to a shift member (for example a shift fork) and/or to a selector shaft and is effective during movement of this shift member and/or selector shaft to act upon a shift fork for a synchronized forward ratio to effect a movement of the shift fork to provide pre-synchronization, with braking of rotating elements of the stepped-ratio gearing for engagement of the reverse ratio, and thereby noiseless engagement of the reverse ratio.