Hi everyone Here's an update on how my CDL school is going- week 2.
I received my official CLP yesterday and I started driving today!! Im just super excited!! However, I'm quite terrible at double clutching. I thought it would be similar to driving a 5 speed car manual BUT it is not. So I'm feeling a bit discouraged..
I've done pretty well with learning my pre-trip, passing all my tests etc- so this double clutching has me feeling pretty down. I recorded some videos of my instructors shifting, so I'm planning on going over it and practicing with a make-shift setup at my house. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. We've also had some different recruiters come through. RE West, TMC, Swift & Liberty. Anyways, just wanted to give an update-
First day behind the wheel!!
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Michelle33, Mar 7, 2024.
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The_vett, austinmike, Lonesome and 5 others Thank this.
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It takes some practice.Get your rpms up high enough before you start to shift.After awhile you'll be shifting easily and not even thinking about it.
LoneRanger, Flat Earth Trucker, TexasRiverRat and 1 other person Thank this. -
Don't let the double-clutching discourage you.
You will later find that most fleets now have pretty much gone to (or are in the process of) automatic transmission-equipped tractors.
Some exceptions to that: the off-road fleets -- loggers, & the oil field crowd; & also, heavy haul/oversize/overweight.
-- LFlat Earth Trucker and Michelle33 Thank this. -
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Chinatown and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this.
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I've only had my license for about a year and a half, so I can still remember how excited I was to start driving and how embarrassed/frustrated I'd get when I'd miss a gear or grind one.
We all started somewhere, so don't beat yourself up over the first day of driving. The only way to improve is through practice, and eventually it'll become second nature.Speedy356 and Michelle33 Thank this. -
Hang on to those recruiter business cards & any other handouts.
In the current CDL job market for rookies -- those may later be you best hope.
-- LMichelle33 Thanks this. -
Wonderful,, now get to work,,,kidding, you'll be fine. Most will agree, the "double clutch" thing is a waste of time. I don't want to confuse you, but you should only need the clutch to start and stop. After a while, you'll see, when you let up on the throttle, and pull the shifter out of gear, there is a "sweet spot" for the next gear, and no clutch is needed. If you gently "ride" the gear with the lever, you'll feel when the gears will mesh. Typically, new drivers tend to over-rev the motor. Remember, in a diesel, the space between gears may only be 4-500rpms, and 2-3000rpms in a car. Usually, just a tap of the throttle is all that's needed. Now, practice that backing, you'll be fine.
Speedy356, The one california kid and Michelle33 Thank this. -
austinmike, Sons Hero, Chinatown and 1 other person Thank this.
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