If the gear shift lever is pulled leftward toward the driver into the "manual" position it will display the current gear while driving or sitting still. It will display "5" or "6" or whatever. Also, when operating in manual mode, say for better control on rough or hilly terrain, the transmission will downshift to lower gears as car slows or stops. Meaning you will start out again in 1st gear. However if 2nd gear is selected manually before starting out (say to minimize slipping when starting out on snow or slippery surface) it will downshift to no lower than 2nd when coming to a stop. Stays in 2nd to start out again on the snow or whatever.
The OP may want to familiarize themself with manual operation up and down the gears if they have not done so. In manual mode 1st gear winds out really fast.