Automatic or Manual for the Road Test?

In my opinion driving an auto transmission is better and easier than a manual. I have a auto transmission now and it really helps in traffic.

 

Check your state and see if they put a restricition on your CDL if you use an automatic to test, some do which might lead to problems if the company you want to work for has only manual's.

 

I have never heard a difinitive answer if you are allowed to drive an automated for your road test. Some people have said you can but lots say that the school wont let you try. I would argue that having to test in a manual is best because not everywhere you will go runs automated and then you would be SOL your first day at a new company.

I would think under ideal circumstances the school should let you drive both. That way when you are first driving use you the automated. That way you can focus on maintaining speed and lane postion, then once you are comfortable with that you can move on to the manual and work on shifting while in traffic.

I have heard the same as what btrucker said. If you spend most of your day in traffic then an automated is the way to go as you will not find yourself tired from having to up and downshift for every light and in traffic jams.

Many people say that knowing how to drive a manual transmission car can actually be a detriment when learning to drive a truck as they are not the same and you have to force yourself to relearn everything.

 

What makes you think that you will not back a tanker? You get the truck into position to unload and sometimes the only way out is backing. Here's the best advice I could give. LEARN all you can about the truck and driving while you can. Do not limit yourself.

 

yep.. what gashauler said. why limit yourself. learn all you can now while ur in school. anybody can drive an automatic. and don,t think you won,t back up..there,ll be times where you,ll have no choice.i know here if calif. you,ll be restricted to auto if you test in one. what will you do if the company decides to get manual. just something for you to trhink about.

 

I know in Ohio you can test in either. I did all of my driving training before the test in a manual. Once the test came though everyone takes the test in a automatic just because it's obviously less nerve racking when you don't have to worry about shifting or stalling a truck.

I had great fun learning how to use a manual transmission though and am so glad I got to experience how both work.

I will also add that I think this might go into law in a couple years nationwide that if you test in a automatic you can then only drive a automatic. I could be wrong on this but that was something I heard when I was in school.

 

Whether you drive a manual or auto isn't that important, and auto drivers are still truckers. That being said, all drivers should know how to drive a manual. You never know when you're gonna need that skill, and once you get it down it shouldn't make your test much harder to do it in a manual.

 

In NH if you test in an automatic you will have that restriction on your license. Then if you want to get rid of that restriction you have to retest all over again, pre trip, skills and road test. I know, I had to. Plus the manual is far better on gas and forward control on the highway. But if your buzzing around in the city, an auto is much better. Auto is great for class B trucks an many new ones now come with autos. Ps, work on that backing thing, you'll be glad you did.

 

automatics take all the fun in driving...im in one now n it took a while getting used to it its like ur in control but ur not i dont know if that makes any sense to u. Best advice is learn everything u can including manual n as far as the backing up part, well this career is like learning to drive a car all over again u are required to be competent in all areas. good luck bro.