Coming to a stop during road test.

I had a really hard time with downshifting when I was in training, particularly in the low range. I had to work out what speeds worked with each gear, and then drill until it was second nature. I found that, with my transmission at least (Eaton 10 speed), I was good if I divided by two: 10 mph downshift into 5th gear, 6 mph, into 3rd.

 

It just takes practice. I almost never go below 6th when stopping. Once it get too low RPMs I just throw it in neutral.

 

I'm in PA too, first things first, figure out what speed your truck will go into 2nd or 3rd gear at idle. That way when you come to a stop, you can keep the truck in gear with your foot on the clutch and then when you slow down to that speed, throw it in gear. You're not technically coasting when the truck is in gear. That's how I did it on my test and I passed.

 

I’ve never downshifted into first coming to a stop........unless I’m in second because it’s grid locked.

useless

 

It is all about speed and RPMs. You will find the sweet spot with a little more playing. Forget about the instructor or the test and just feel the truck at a few stops. I tested and the lady had no idea how to drive a stick. I floated everything and just reved to look like I was shifting. She thought I did very good after calming down.

Now I can go into any gear after getting used to the truck. Yes each truck is just a little different. As for the test it has to be in gear when coming to a stop but clutch does not have to be engaged. It is about having control so you could accelerate if needed. When I am distracted I have started off in 6th with a light load. Look both ways and keep going.

 

In essence, the cdl test is a demonstration of the basic skills of handling a cmv. That includes being able to shift into low range. This is an important skill to have in a number of different scenarios. It also demonstrates an ability to think ahead and be proactive in your defensive driving.

Odds are that the cdl examiner will have an issue with you stopping in 6th. I know they will ding you if you miss 5th and coast, but planning on just stopping in 6th is a bad risk/reward decision. If I were the CDL examiner and you took a turn in 6th, the test would end there and we'd be swapping places for the drive back. Some people have said that as long as the gear shifter is in a gear, you can ride the clutch and not "coast". That may have been their experience, but they are wrong. If you're clutched in for more than than the length of your vehicle, it is considered coasting out of gear. From the perspective of someone sitting in the right hand seat, 15-20 feet out of gear feels more like 60 feet. Don't risk it, just get in gear.

@Judge is right - slow down sooner. You also need to PLAN your shifts. Chose not only what speed/rpm to shift at but WHERE you want to make the shift. My guess is that you're getting 'jumpy' because you are reacting to what's going on instead of exerting control over the situation. Having a plan to follow makes things easier; changing a plan on the fly beats the heck out of throwing something against the wall and seeing what sticks.

You want to be in the gear you'll turn/stop in 50 feet before hand. Coming down from 10th I tend to prefer to go 10-9-7-4 or 10-8-6-4. Practice making the shift into low range - get up to 7th, drop to 6, drop to 4, get on the fuel and shift up to 5, then 6, slow and shift to 4, get back up to 7th, slow and shift to 5th - so on and so forth. Working the gears up and down repeatedly without having to worry about other factors such as stopping/turns helps build 'muscle memory' so when you add in the other factors you are applying a learned behavior.

 

I only ever just downshifted to 4th direct and rolled up to the light. If I got there before it turned green, clutch in and stopped. Grabbed 1st once stopped and then took off when the light turned green.

If it was a left turn scenario I'd sometimes drop another full gear to 3rd if I needed a few extra seconds for traffic to clear.

 

Not accurate. You must down shift to a gear that will allow to to push in the clutch and cost no further than one truck length. As for corners are concerned if a student went around a corner in 5th he would be failed. You are supposed to be in the proper gear to negotiate the turn safely. If you shift in the turn it is a automatic fail.

 

Maybe what it is now. When I took the test it wasn't. Or at least the tester was applying the rules incorrectly.
Either way, when I took my test I had to is an accurate statement.
Not saying it was the correct way, just the way it was.