Not discouraged, But struggling...

Truck driving is a skill. All skills require practice and repetition to master. It took us a couple of years master that skill, although I believe you never truely master it. If anyone tells you they did it in less time is a liar.
There are a lot of aids to keep you safe out there I suggest you use it. Good luck.

 

Hang in there LG. You are not the first, nor will you be the last to have some problems with beginning driving. For one thing, you are not getting a LOT of time behind the wheel, from what you posted. So don't expect to become proficient in a short time.
I'm sure you are quite nervous behind the wheel, and of course that won't help you a bit. But look around you. Many of your fellow students are just as nervous as you are. Some may handle it better, some worse, but you sure aren't alone there.

 

dude don't trip. the first time i went to truck driving school, i didn't even know what the hell a clutch was. i was like, 'why does this thing have THREE pedals?' i got screamed at repeatedly by an angry man in a thick michoacan accent. just keep practicing. i just recently landed a decent local job too, so it's all about repetition and learning it... don't be scared with backing either, just watch those rear tires on your drivers side and think ahead about the path your wheels are taking. you'll do fine .

 

ya man trust me. dont worry. i felt like quitting every day of truck school. man i struggled from unhooking a trailer to hooking one. to lowering the landing gear to pulling the fricking fifth wheel. no one struggled like i did. and especially on the shifting. now i play with the gears like no ones business.

 

Are their specific areas you are finding difficult, or is everything going slow? It might help to identify specifics and ask for some special help from an instructor or a classmate who is doing well at it. I had one classmate in driving school who just had such low self-esteem that he knew he couldn't do it and got overwhelmed by every challenge. Keep a positive attitude and focus on specific skill areas.

 

Is there some specific thing that you are struggling with? Shifting, backing, overall nerves while operating the rig?

Mikeeee

 

“You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” Babe Ruth

Hang in there!!

 

You gotta go into this career with confidence. Timid truck drivers get themselves in trouble. You'll get to be more and more comfortable each time you hold a steering wheel.

 

Is there any way that you can get in some practice time, either on your own, or with an instructor? Why don't you approach your instructor, tell him your problem and offer to either buy him dinner or flat out pay him for some extra help?

Even if you can't get anybody out there to help you, if you can use the truck in a lot or yard, without the rest of the class hanging around, perhaps you can work on your backing.

Two things to remember:
1) Easy does it. You are in NO HURRY. Get out and look as often as you need to.
2) Don't be afraid of it.