Have TX Class A with PSTX/Hazmat & TWIC; Class B & A CDL experience gained locally over past year in Thomas school buses (72 max passenger) and International straight truck flatbeds (54K GVW); Passed Class A road test by renting tractor/trailer which had auto trans (not by choice, only one available, can understand why); All experience in trucks with auto trans; have job offer but need to pass driver test in truck with 10 spd trans; understand tractor 10 spd requires/demands finesse not necessarily required by car standard trans; thus, want/need coaching and hands-on before attempting driver test with potential employer; located in Galveston County, TX; any suggestions?
Get an hourly rate at the local truck school, if they have it. Just ask for it. Probably 2-3 hours will do it.
Thx, but already thought of that. We only hv Rocky Mountain that will work with anyone who already has a CDL. They charge $100/hr and before when I had been offered a job, I tried to sign up for only 2 hrs out of desperaqtion and they said 4hrs was their min. and I needed to pay up front but "maybe" I could go for 2, but they couldn't find any available instructors. So I went for the orientation, but failed the driving test. Asside from the cost, I would be more comfortable with an individual O.O.
I have the same situation. I'm trying to find an O.O. that will work with me in Albuquerque , New Mexico Went to alll 3 truck Stops in my area yesterday, and no one would let me post an ad to find one. The manager # the TA said maybe he could help me though but I haven't heard back from him. I'm considering running an ad in the Alb. Journal to find a willing O.O.
If you have the means go rent one and have at it. Nobody freaking out when you start grinding gears is a plus. Floating gears is an art, double clutching can be tricky as well, not too many owners are going to be willing to let you have at their truck and tranny. Find a safe place to practice, I have trained many new drivers and at first there will be lots of missed gears leading to stopping and starting over. Work on downshifting, and keeping the truck moving without coming to a complete stop, like when turning or at a light that changes as you approach it. Good luck to you.
I'm guessing short of knowing someone, a school is the only option. To the poster that failed the driving test. You may well need that 4 hours. No company or owner/operator is going to put you in their truck without a rigorous road test. Everybody seems to think an owner/operator is in the business of taking risks. I know first-hand they will give you a chance if you have experience, even old experience. Having owned two trucks over the years, I can't imagine letting someone I don't know learn to shift on my transmission. Repairs are too expensive. I'm not sure where we are going with getting the CDL. I'm not knocking anyone for making their own way, mind you. I think you will find once you're done that most companies or owner/operators won't hire you with no experience unless you go through training. It will surely open up some local opportunity though. I'm not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but if you work hard and spend money to get somewhere and find out you have to go back and use the conventional method you aren't really ahead.
if you took your cdl test in a automatic transmission you may have a restriction on your license only allowing you to drive a automatic transmission i assume you would have to take the driving portion of your cdl test again to get that restriction removed. your best bet may be finding a company willing to hire you and train you on a manual transmission or going to driving school. honestly i don't think 4 hours is even enough to learn to drive a manual big truck.
