Cdl training on a Automatic transmission

Raider Express in Fort Worth. I think Stevens too. Too many super truckers in here. Simple question that deserved a simple answer. “I’ve been driving sticks since I came out the womb” lol.

 

That wasn't a transmission stick shift you grabbed!

 

I too am having problems learning to drive a manual, and would prefer an auto with the restriction. The company I recently went through basically only gave us three days to learn to drive a manual, then we would be sent out with a trainer. I am keeping an open mind and am currently trying to find a company or individual that will give me more time to learn. I keep getting responses like "real truck drivers drive manuals" or "if you can't drive a manual, you shouldn't be a truck driver.". But, wouldn't driving an auto be less distracting than driving a manual. Without worrying about shifting, wouldn't that allow me to pay more attention to the road and what's going on around me? Wouldn't I have more control of the truck? I'm open to positive thoughts and feedback

 

Do you have a cdl now? If so, then hire on with a company that uses automatic transmissions. Plenty of them around.

 

Your not going to get proficient shifting in a day, a week, or a month but if you don't learn you are limiting yourself. It took me a while but now I run an 18 speed.

 

Yes driving an auto you are able to focus on other aspects of driving more... How ever, IMO if you dont know how to shift a manual you are leaving yourself open to potential hazards. There are times, even in an auto, that you need to know how to maintain or regain control through proper use of the transmission. And if you don't understand matching revs to speed, and how the truck will react in various situations, you may not be able to properly over ride the auto with the use of the manual settings to control the situation safely. Hazardous weather is not the time to select D and mash the throttle and brakes, one must know how to safely accelerate, maintain speed, and deccelerate through proper use of the trucks power and gearing.

I drove manual for several years before I ever stepped into an auto. Now that I'm with a company that runs autos exclusively, I still tell that transmission when to shift, more often than not, by using the manual function. I don't have to worry about running the clutch or matching the revs, as the computer does that for me, but I know what the computer is going to do and how the truck will react before it does it.

And when the "fit hits the shan" I know how to regain control, maybe that is to upshift or downshift... And whether I need to apply throttle or brakes in a type of harmony with said shift. Maybe I even need to grab neutral for a second or two to let things settle back into harmony (very rare and can be dangerous if done at the wrong time or incorrectly).

These are a few important things that IMO can only be learned by driving a manual. There are a lot more accidents now than there used to be, and I believe this to partially be because fewer and fewer drivers understand what that transmission is doing and how the truck reacts due to said actions (especially in poor driving conditions). IMO autos are fine and dandy, but I would highly recommend you learn to drive manual as well, and the sooner the better. Yes manual takes time and patience to learn but it is an invaluable skill that may save yours or someoneelses life. Best of luck to those that appreciate this and are taking the time to learn.

 

Dude, don't worry about it. Learning to drive the manual transmission will come in due time. You need to learn to get through the test first and foremost, and then you can learn to drive the manual transmission 10 speed. For what it's worth, this is what I did. I had no restriction but the manual transmission I tested in was basically a 6 speed, synchronized transmission. Not sure how they got away with it but this is just like driving a Honda Civic.

In due time, driving an auto becomes equally distracting to driving a manual. A manual transmission will actually force the driver to be more engaged in the task of driving. When I drive an automatic, I find that it requires less concentration. For example, I could drink a cup of coffee and drive in stop and go traffic. With a manual transmission, the sole task is focused on shifting the truck at the correct RPM.

You should learn to drive on an automatic if you feel better about it. This will give you a feel for when the truck needs to be shifted up or shifted down. When you move on to a manual after driving an automatic for a while, the shift points will feel completely natural and it will come to you. That's how it worked for me... I learned on an automatic and taught myself a manual after driving automatics for about 5 months.

 

Thanks everybody for all your suggestions. I found a company that will give me more time to train in a manual. I've come to accept there's no way around it, if I wanna be in trucking, I gotta learn how to drive a manual. I owe it to myself to give it another shot. Hopefully when it comes to backing, I won't have as much trouble.

 

CR England only trains and tests in Automatics. It's one of the reasons I didn't go with them for schooling.