CDL Restricted to Automatic Transmission

Beyond rarity I would really hesitate to buy a used automatic because it would seem to be more expensive to repair. For off road driving I haven't yet met a driver using an automatic. I've always used a manual transmission, it seems to me that a manual gives you far more control. I routinely wind up the rpm's to 2000 with a light throttle approaching a steep dirt hill, looking to top out at 1100 if I'm lucky and feather off to below 1000 if there's a lot of slippery mud. The last thing I want is for a lot of torque to start spinning the tires and sinking me into the mud on a 20% grade.

IMHO manuals are here to stay. Maybe for a driver that will stay on paved roads and bang docks an automatic might be the cat's meow, but anyone planning to play in the dirt will prefer manual.

If I were just getting into this industry I would INSIST on being trained and test in a manual. Why in the world would I want to put the MAJORITY of available jobs out of my reach? The majority of trucks on the road (and off road) are manual.

 

I worked in the dirt, too. Most of ours had 18s, but there were some with autos... they used the Allison autos, though, and not the autoshift transmissions. And they did fine, although we're talking about Oshkosh and Kenworth C500 6x6 units.. highway legal trucks, but they didn't travel particularly long distances on the road. Nor would you want to with the Allisons, given the large gaps between gears. Don't know a lot about this TC10 transmission of theirs, nor how well suited it would be to such applications. Haven't seen them in use in those industries yet, so that could be an indicator.

Perhaps in the short term, but not over any substantial length of time. Rarity is fine when it comes to something for truck shows... not so much when you have to balance out practicality. When it gets to the point that you can't find parts, service, et. al. (which, in the case of manual transmissions, is still going to be quite a ways away), the appeal of rarity will go out the window, quick. There's a reason things become rare... as they get more difficult to maintain, find parts for, etc., their practicality decreases, ergo so does their appeal.

 

I would like to see the kids look on his face when he jumps up and see`s 2 sticks. Ha, Ha, Ha.

 

So here's another opportunity to fail. You crawl in this old farm truck,(yeah you'll drive them all if you stay in the industry long enough.) and the shift pattern is worn off or missing. An experienced driver just smiles. He's already been there.

 

Update- I just graduated from my school, tested in an automatic, and my license is not restricted, information for others. I could get someone to the hospital in a manual if I had to, we did train in them, maybe just wouldn't be a smooth ride like someone who is a pro at it, lol. The two sticks reference I don't get though, even the manuals at schools are not double stick.

 

What state allowed you to test in a auto and get no restrictions?

 

Florida. Florida is always the exception isn't it, lol.

 

I dont get it, its right on the website. Restriction F, automatic transmission.

 

the only difference from a manual trans and your auto trans, Is your paycheck, ha, ha, haaaaaaaaa.