New Dude

It will become second nature like breathing.

 

"It will become second nature like breathing."

Well, for most of you. As soon as your done with your school and exam when you get with your trainer have them teach you to "float". Your left leg will thank you for it! Easier shifting all together. One little thing I use to do when training a driver was to take an erasable marker and draw the shift pattern right on the windshield. This way you are not taking your eyes off the road and yet it is transparent and doesn't obstruct your view. You can also write all your directions, phone numbers, times etc... on your side window. Make sure you do it on the triangle window so when you roll the window down it doesn't erase all your pertinent info. Good luck, it's not as tough as you think. Just takes a little confidence, and practice.

 

dmv inspectors tend to want you to double clutch. it's easy; don't over think it. if you go with a company that does local/regional/otr you can get stuck anywhere regardless of what you might like. look to get experience in all types of driving; so you will be more knowledgeable later on. the more varied your experience; the more types of companies you'll be able to apply to with confidence in the future. if you are looking for something local where you can be home more; look at class b jobs. dump trucks and small deliveries will have a lot more likelihood to be home every nite.
you can get a job at 21. I did. try to line up a job that will work for you; it will be more challenging as you don't necessarily know what to look for yet.
it can be done. be safe; be humble; learn to do the job correctly.
if you are determined/driven to succeed; you'll make it work.