Removing Automatic Restriction on CDL

Find an owner op to let you use their truck. They are out there

 

Because most local jobs still have standard transmission trucks.and even otr and will be like that for years to come but will be in decline.

 

If you can.... find an empty area where you can back between some lines. No trucks or trailers next to opening . And practice backing. Use 2 cones if you want to. 3 empty docks will work too as long as the 3 are not in use

 

If you are using a box truck you can't drive a tractor trailer. You must test on the vehicle class you will be driving. Box trucks over 26,001 are class B. Best thing to do is go to a school and retest on a 10 speed. It probably will require taking the entire course unfortunately.

 

Wil-trans and Jim Palmer are one in the same company. The are associated with Prime and use Prime as their training company. They are also moving to automatics as well. Prime is going to start testing on automatics June 1st.

 

You need to retake the test in a tractor trailer with a manual to get that restriction removed.

I have posted over and over and over again the need for trainees taking a formal driving test for CDL to do it with a MANUAL truck not a AUTO.

Your school should have been big enough to rent a manual tractor for the test purposes. Autos are not the end all be all. (I actually have used autos in the past and like them PROVIDED they are configured a certain way)

It is a restriction that can only be removed by the State after a formal test is taken with a examiner in a manual 18 wheeler with airbrakes, trailer and so on.

That school probably has done you a disservice by auto only training. You learned nothing about Manuals in big trucks at this point. You might even be able to recover the tuition charged to you because you did not get a CDL with no restrictions.

 

You could also contact Prime. They have automatics. Most of the fleet has switched over. PM me and I can get you some more information. It's a good company to work for. I've been working there for nearly 2 years.

 

Shifting gears doesn't make you a truck driver. Once you are on the highway how much shifting do you really do. Not much. I can tell you that I learned the skill of shifting a 10 speed but I won't trade my automatic for a 10 speed. I think that we should have been in automatics many years ago. But the USA is slow at adopting technological advances. Other countries have had synchronized manuals for years so no double clutching. They are also years ahead switching to automatics. I can't understand the problem. I'm a trainer now and my first student is doing a great job driving. He has perfect lane control. That is the most important part of driving. Being able to drive safely.