I got hired for a job hauling septic waste. The manager usually hires very experienced drivers, but took a chance with me. The only problem is, my driving is terrible and I am not seeming to improve. Any advice, because his patience is wearing thin, and I can only take so much criticism. I feel like walking out, but who will hire someone with no experience and will be willing for me to learn on their equipment? it seems like once you get CDL you are expected to be a great driver. I am doing bad and need any help someone can offer.

What is your driving problem? I take it you are in a straight truck? As a pump truck you have hoses so backing should not be an issue. What are you needing help with?

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Even if you are driving a straight truck, calm down, don't rush yourself, pay attention to your mirrors. When your driving forwards, pay attention to your mirror on which ever side you are turning, be sure not to be crossing lines, or running on to side walks. Be sure to signal plenty early before you make a turn. When backing, get out, and look at where you are backing, getting directly behind your vehicle and standing in the spot you are trying to back into can give you a good visual and idea of how to come into it. again don't rush yourself, use your mirrors and make slight movements with your wheel, no need to be cranking it especially if you have a trailer. Maybe ask if you can stay after work practicing, your boss may be up for it, or maybe pay him 2 hours of your pay to rent it out for an hour after work, practice in the parking lot if you have enough room. Show him your intentions on becoming better, don't whine, be responsible for your mess ups and he may respect it and be more helpful.

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There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

I have trouble with "smooth" starts from a stop sign. the truck lunges forward and he gets really upset. also, i pop the truck out of gear when approaching a turn, and then cant get back into gear after the corner. my shifting is just bad, as well as my hills and driving loaded. he loves his trucks like they mean everything, so there is no room for lots of mistakes.

First thing to do is relax. You need to be able to feel the truck engage when you let the clutch out. Let the clutch out slowly. You will feel it. You need to learn to accelerate as you take off. Do you double clutch or are you trying to float? In a big truck a clutch has a clutch brake. When shifting you don't need to put the clutch to the floor. Only when you stop. A inch or two will allow you to grab the gear. You are freewheeling in the turns. Not a good thing because if you can not get it in a gear you will have to stop. Good chance of causing an accident that way. Try to get your gear before you go into the turn. You should not be shifting as you turn, but I do it all the time. As long as you can hit your gears, you are OK. Different trucks shift at different rpms. Most seem to be at 1500 and 1800, but some macks drop low, 9-13. Older trucks were 19-21. You need to figure out at what rpm it shifts smoothly.

Sound like with time you will pick it up. Keep an eye on your tach and see what the best RPMs are for shifting. I can drive the fire out of trucks, but have a hard time explaining it to someone. If we were in the cab together it would be a little easier. Hope this helps.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Don't feel bad. I too have trouble getting into the right gear during downshifting. And, I have about 5-10000 miles on trucks with this general type of tranny. ( I don't want to make the truckers mad but, I hate the #### things myself. ) Why couldn't they use synchronizers like normal stick shift trannys do?

Because if they did have a synchronizer in a heavy truck transmission, the first time you missed a shift, you would fire the driveshaft out of the rear of the tractor. Its very simple after you know where the middle of the range is...some guys never learn this. I hear them down shifting & grinding the gears like they are trying use the transmission to re-tool the main shaft on the tranny.