Very normal. It is likely an older car or one

of those US cars. Many (all?) later newer cars require you to depress the clutch to avoid unwanted movement of the car once the car is started by installing a cut-off switch linked to the clutch.

It is always a better idear to depress the clutch down when cranking your car key for 1) avoid unwanted movement of the car -- someone else or you accidently put the car in gear, and 2) to lessen any load on the car battery.