preparing for my skill test

do they allow you to start in a higher gear or do you have to start in first from every stop? i normally start out in 2nd unless im in a soft part of a gravel road or starting on a steep incline loaded. from my understanding your not allowed to skip gears but does starting in 2nd instead of first count as skipping a gear?

 

i did do that once, only it was another big truck that was right behind me, luckily i caught it just as soon as the clutch started to grab only moved back maybe 6 inches. so 1st or 3rd is probably good advice, after i made that mistake once i started sliding it into second as i sit at a stop light slide it out and back in just to double check.
but as far as the test is concerned are you allowed to start in a higher gear than 1st?

 

how many hours did most of you have in behind the wheel before you took your skill test? right now iv got about 48 hours behind the wheel of a class a tractor trailer, i should be able to get some more time behind the wheel before my skill test. iv got about 6 years of pulling 38 foot goose neaks allover the country with a pick up. from my last job so backing and manipulating trailers and driving large vehicles down the road is pretty natural too me. i still havent gotten a chance to try double clutching but im sure ill get some time to practice that in the next 9 days. my biggest worrie is with shifting. i feel im a little weak in that area.