CDL RESTRICTED

Many CDL schools will help you out, for a fee.

 

I scream it everytime somebody asks about the industry whether on here or in person. Make sure you are taught on a manual and do not get that restriction. Even if you only plan to drive a automatic. If your truck goes down and all the companies temp trucks are a manual you’re screwed. if you want to go back and get it removed they need some dollars. You have to be able to drive just about any truck if you want to have options.. (I wanna learn to drive a twin stick just to say I can do it)
Same with the endorsement I may never drive triples and doubles.. but in unforeseen cicumstances I could without have to waste the time to go study for the test/take the test/ then pay the money again just to update

 

Now that’s price gouging with autos. The 6k was usually to cover the cost of teaching people the basics of at least getting truck into proper gear whether it be violent or smooth. Then get the license. So now they can get people a cdl with 2 days of training because no gear box involved and pay 6k. That’s crazy

 

It's a shame these cdl schools don't train prospective drivers how to drive manual transmissions especially for how much there charging for tuition. As far as the restriction goes imho it's got its goods and bads. I was a trainer for 2 different oilfield companies and before the restrictions were put in place. I can't tell you how many new guys the company hired that were fresh out of school that never mentioned and were not in a hurry to mention they have never driven a standard. Luckily for them the owner was cool and would let me train them on not only the job duties but how to drive a truck . while the restrictions have probably saved a lot of transmissions and wrecks. it still sucks because you have to go back to school / retake your road test for something any driver can teach you how to do in a week or two. Op may I suggest looking for a mom and pop operation most are cool if you talk to them they will probably let you retest in there equipment. If not luckily for you most fleets have a lot of autos now a days.

 

He's not looking to stay with fleets.

He's looking for greener pasture and staying local sounds like.

They never think about that restriction when they first sign up.

 

I tend to agree that noob's should be taught to drive a manual trans. But I also see that the industry will probably not have any manual tranny's in fleet service in the next few year (Not including O/O as they can buy what they like). I was completely opposed to autos for many years, but over the last few years the improvements have been vast and dramatic. I more oppose the fleets that insist on ordering there trucks without engine brakes, then running them repeatedly up and down the same mountains to train them at 30 mph where all the other truck traffic is moving at or above the speed limit.

Running Mojave to Bakersfield 3 time per night it is not unusual to find the same tractor trailer going up and down the mountain 2 times maybe more n the same night.

Point is if they were auto's at least they would be running with the flow of traffic.
The truck I drive now is a auto and loaded or empty, no matter with the cruz set it will fairly closely maintain the set speed down the hills. down shifts, engaged the engine brake when need, all works very well.

New drivers need to remember these trucks are not designed to go out a race, they are designed to pull loads. So put your ego aside, and go make some dollars.

 

What a racket , $6000 . I paid nothing for mine They said you know how to drive a truck, I said yes , they said go get your picture taken.