First Day At TTCC

You should get to that point, but it would be best to understand why you are doing these tests and what their purpose is. I think that the school will also do this, but don't be so sure. The in cab air brake portion of the test is one of the if not THE hardest part of the CDL test for a lot of people.

One of the things that people do not understand is that a lot of the CDL training is breaking bad habits that the drivers have obtained over the last decade or so since they took their regular car license when they were 16-ish. This is normal and the first day or so is the worst! Your skill and comfort level will take off pretty soon and you'll do better. You will do a lot better if you have peers who are in the truck and sharing the experience.

Both will help, the lighter shoes especially. I have suggested to people who show up wearing heavy boots on the first day to wear the lightest shoes they own, high top sneakers work pretty well if you have some. Wrestling shoes are fantastic.. but look pretty silly.

You should be using a light "fingertip grip" on the shifter and hand position is very important. When you are trying for the gears nearest you, you should have your hand on the outside of the shifter so you are pulling the gearshift toward (you) and the gears you want. When you try for the middle two gears, hand directly on top of the shifter and when shifting the far gears, try pushing the shifter away from you and toward the gears on the outside.

Best of luck to you! Try to think of this as a game of skill, at first everyone sucks at them.. you get better the more you try.. BUT if you get frustrated or angry... take a breather and get your sense of humor back. I relate learning this to tying your shoes.. no real effort now, but when you were learning.. your parents were ready to flog you!

 

Where did the phrase, "drive truck" originate? Some sort of longing to be a preppy ivy league frat boy that "rows crew"?

I drive a truck. I deliver a load. I didn't marry "wife", I am married to my wife!

Mikeeee

 

Are you driving a 10 speed? I received this piece of advice from an experienced driver. Above 45 mph you are in 10th, when you get to 45mph you go to 9th, 4+5=9, at 35mph shift to 8th, 3+5=8 etc. Though I have not tried this sounds interesting.

 

I never learned what speed is a specific gear. Always just kind of knew by road speed. There were a few, or a couple few times I mis-judged. And when climbing a steep hill the road speed changes pretty quick. Not much time for second chance choosing a gear.

I never wanted to be reliant on looking at the speedometer while watching traffic.

Mikeeee

 

The biggist thing i tell new blood when the "panic i need a gear now!" Kicks in is, relax, when you learning, and light, (empty or bob) you dont always need a gear RIGHT NOW. You have a few seconds, a play with the clutch, or a dab of go pedal to match rev to road. Remeber your a big truck, people exspect you to be slow and anoying. Dont disapoint, they can go around. Even empty your moving 13 or more cars worth of weight around.

 

I would not worry about skipping gears just yet. Worry about getting all of your gears(you'll learn road speed vs what gear to kinda be in) better this way. Good luck out there! Sudbury drivers can be pecker heads!