Is automatic restriction not a big deal? Choosing CDL schools.

If the option is available, go for the non-restricted CDL. You will likely still drive an automated truck your first year out there, but not have to worry that the next best thing to come along is a 10-speed.

 

What type trucking job do you want when you graduate; your first job.
I'd say, go with the stick shift school even though you'll probably never drive a stick shift.
Some companies, such as Pride Transport, offer drivers a choice of stick shift or automatic.

 

In life, the people who fight against your freedom of choice don’t have your best interests at heart.

You don’t have to get involved with bad companies/people. Once you identify these bad actors from their poor behaviors, trust your instincts and stay away from them.

 

Does a restricted license cost less than an unrestricted? I wouldn’t even consider paying unrestricted money for a restricted license. That’s straight up foolish.

 

Where is your location; state and nearest town/city?

 

I’d get the manual trans endorsement , and also get every endorsement you can when you are getting the license ,
Haz mat ,
Tanker
Passenger ,
Doubles triples
And TWIC

 

And a Passport Card or Passport for runs to Canada.

 

Every day manual transmission ability is less important than it was yesterday. But if you want to NOT lock yourself out of any potential good job you want to have no Auto-Only restriction on your license. It's easy to find good jobs in most regions in every kind of truckingexcept heavy-haul and have the auto restriction on your license. Since drivers work alone many drivers think "my job requires manual tranny skill,I would never work for a company 0.0001% worse than where I work now, so manual skill is a requirement to live one more day." Learning manual is 100 times easier to learn than EVERY outsider thinks. If you can brush your teeth without stabbing yourself in both eyes you can learn it. You will get frustrated, you will make mistakes, and you still make mistakes 5 years later. Manual ability is NOT the difference between good truck driver and bad truck driver. It's just slightly more significant that the difference between manual windows and electric windows on the truck. 20 other things are far more important, like picking a good company for you to work for.

 

You will do fine with an auto restriction.
Most companies use them, and they get better fuel mileage.
The 2 downsides are if you want to get in to heavy haul, though that is debatable with the new automated 18 speed.
The biggest reason is if you decide to get your own truck, a manual is much easier to find the way you will want it speced

 

so, if he gets the restriction CDL for automatics only, then loses his job in one way or another, and there are only jobs that will hire him and they only have stick shifts, and he is here crying about the restriction...

what will you say to him then.>???

that "he chose his freedom over a solid job"...??

riiight.......you go with that advice.....