Any words of advice?

Funny, the trucks I drove when I went to school were as real as it gets,... just not up to standard with the times, although I can say, they are still out there but generally hauling scrap.

The newbie sounds real enough. I can concur to some degree that the tachometer does lag a bit on providing accurate changes in RPM for shifting but, it's pretty close and is something you can use as a basis for when to start your transition from neutral to the next gear.

Accelerating during a shift is done only when down-shifting if you're using the truck engine to slow you down and that's generally in the range of about 400-500 rpm's above the gear you transition out of (remembering too that as soon as you go into neutral, your truck speed is dropping on a flat surface).

I could get all technical and dwell on physics (my major in college) but I won't. Shifting is a science but it doesn't have to be over-thought.

I think 'easy does it' is your key to success. Your tendency to 'over-accelerate' is only because you are nervous. The testing officer will understand the stress level you will be under being tested and I'm sure, take your over-reacting into some consideration.

Just drive like you do for the instructor and you will be okay, I'm sure. I only hope you didn't train with a trucking company cause, if you did,...

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE YET.

 

Yup,at IITR where I went we had Frieghtliners with 9/13 speeds and no Gov.

 

Oh sheesh. This is posted in the wrong thread. Another "senior moment."

Just ignore it, or consider the source. . .

​

Well, stay away from aggregate hauling then. They always start new hires off on junk! Actually, there is a whole lot of junk out there, but it is making money for the owners. As long as it is DOT legal, it don't have to be either pretty, or comfortable.

One of the biggest pluses for OTR though is that the equipment is USUALLY a bit better.