CDL/school progress update

Heard anything from DOT yet?

 

Typically newbies push the clutch too deep when they press it. Use just enough clutch to get in/out of gear. Unlike clutch in a car, you only press the truck clutch pedal to the floor when you are stopped. In the truck pressing the clutch about 1/3 toward the floor is enough. Also, don't apply any fuel pedal until you are starting to move. Few people feel fully practiced and ready (shifting gears) when they take the state exam. You will get MUCH more training at your first employer. Relax & pay attention.

 

Yep, everything so far is totally normal. Different trucks have different clutch engagement points but you should never have to push it all the way down.

you're probably still thinking of the shifting procedure in steps like step one take your foot off the gas, step two push clutch in, step three shift into neutral, step four release the clutch. Which makes sense as to why you think of it that way. As you get more experience, it'll be completely fluid and you won't be actively thinking about it. You just do it like it's second nature. The smoothness will come.

 

Double clutching

This is from 2007.. I don't want to type all that out again! lol.. good luck