License and Restrictions

I've had my cdl for about 9 years. I obtained it through a school where I learned to drive using a manual transmission. Thus my cdl has no restrictions. After I obtained my cdl I didn't use for years. Fast forward to 2017 and I decided to put it good use. Through those lost years I unfortunately forgot how to drive manual and ended up going to a company that dealt strictly with automatics. So now with 2 years of strictly automatic experience I'm finding my opportunities for local work heavily restricted because I can't drive manual.
I talked to a company and they flat out told me that they couldn't hire me if I didn't have an E restriction on my license just because I don't know how to drive manual. Even though they have both automatics and manuals I wouldn't be able to pick what I drive. But if I did have the restriction they'd immediately put me into an automatic.
I've not managed to find someone willing to train me and I suppose it wouldn't be their responsibility anyhow. I've looked into a refresher course but they're really expensive and I'm thinking this is an absolute last option.

I'm asking the good people of this forum if anyone has advice on how I might be able to get training for a manual truck or if it's possible to get a restriction put on my license myself. Recommendations? Pros? Cons? Any feedback is helpful. Thank you.

 

First off. You don't need a restriction on that CDL of that nature.

Second off Shifting a manual truck requires knowledge of two numbers on your RPM gauge. Your low torque RPM below which you must downshift and a high horse RPM at which you shift up.

And that is all there is to that. Don't go looking to slap a restriction on your CDL for sake of a job.

Ive been away from trucks since prior to 2013 and have not forgotten how to drive them. It would take me about 10 minutes to recall everything and a hour to get that rust broken off and a set of balls sufficient to take her out onto the interstate. It's like riding a bike. You never forget.

 

I understand that if I had experience driving manual I wouldn't forget. But please take into consideration I didn't have any experience driving manual prior to or after getting my cdl.

 

DO NOT CHANGE YOUR CDL WITH ANY RESTRICTIONS........!!!!!!

is there a CDL school with-in say a 30 mile radius of you?

if not, expand that radius..

then inquire as to how much say a 5 hour course on shifting alone will cost.

can you try placing an ad in Craig's List, for a driver to help you with this at a monetary value..??

whatever you do......DO NOT CHANGE YOUR CDL WITH ANY RESTRICTIONS........!!!!!!

 

With two ppl saying the same thing I won't put a restriction on it. I'm still looking for a way to train

 

i gave you some ideas on getting some training.

good luck to you!

 

Southern Refrigerated Transport will probably hire you and let you drive a stick shift. Just tell them you're rusty and ask for a trainer to help you get back in the groove. Don't say you've never driven a stick shift, just say you're rusty, but want to get back to stick shifts. This company uses automatics and stick shifts.
Southern Refrigerated Transport - SRT Trucking Jobs
www.southernref.com

 

EATON 10-Speed transmissions, some Eaton Automatics, Eaton and Detroit rear-ends.

 

Thank you very much!

 

So change your approach.

Instead of saying I can’t drive a manual transmission,
Try “ I am looking for more of a local position, and have been driving an auto transmission the last few years.
I find that I like them, do you have auto transmission trucks?”