I've been driving a couple of years in an auto transmission Freightliner. I've been offered a job at a company that has only manual transmissions, but haven't driven one since my CDL test drive two years ago. I'll need to do a test drive on my first day at orientation. I was up front with them, but I still need to do the test drive. I think I can passably upshift, but I'm fairly sure I'll blow downshifting. I've tried and can't find a school that will let me drive a couple of hours before orientation. They are all booked.
I'm kind of worried that I'll make a fool of myself and am thinking of just going somewhere else. Any advice?
Manual only company
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by recapped, Jun 30, 2021.
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Try anyway, if you don't pass the road test, then go to another company.
slow.rider and recapped Thank this. -
homeskillet, slow.rider, snowlauncher and 1 other person Thank this.
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Speed_Drums, Dave_in_AZ and recapped Thank this.
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You'll get the easy door / dock. Then when you get it right in there, they'll go " Hey you're getting the hang of it."
Then after they see you half a dozen times, they'll probably catch on.Speed_Drums, dunchues, Vic Firth and 4 others Thank this. -
Hazmat Cat Thanks this.
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I had just the opposite experience. I’ve always driven manual. When I test drove an automatic I kept slamming my left foot down when we stopped and kept reaching for the stick. The old guy kept laughing at me.
As far as a test drive I’d just take it easy. Concentrate more on not running anything over. Most know it takes time to get used to a new truck.Brettj3876, Caterpillar Cowboy, slow.rider and 1 other person Thank this. -
The way of the nudge must you learn.
You just go down 1 or 2 inches. Nudge it.
New guys always push it to the floor, this is where the problem lies.slow.rider, BigBob410 and recapped Thank this. -
BigBob410 Thanks this.
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Just tell them you’ve been auto pretty much since school. If they would give you a few laps in yard to get back into the manual groove. Definitely be honest. Not a big deal imo
slow.rider and BigBob410 Thank this.
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