An electronic control system for a transmission includes a transmission controller selectively actuating the transmission between a plurality of gear positions including a reverse position and at least two forward positions, a manually-operable gear shifter selectively providing first command signals to the transmission controller to actuate the transmission between at least a portion of the plurality of gear positions, and a voice recognition system selectively providing second command signals to the transmission controller to actuate the transmission between only a portion of the plurality of gear positions. Preferably, the voice commands actuate the transmission only between the forward gear positions.