What didn't you learn in driving school?

Keep in mind the schools prep you to get your CDL. The company you go with the trainer will prep you for solo. The real learning starts when you are rolling solo.

 

The first thing you have to learn is that this equivalent to Contractors license school. When you graduate from truck school you are at best ready to be a trainee. All the school goal is, is to have you ready for a trainer to take you out teach you how to drive. All they have time to do is teach you the very basics of handling a truck and trailer. Save our real questions for your trainer.... Ands remember as a trainee your a guest in there house during training...

 

how to properly shift.. why does anyone double clutch...

 

We have some trucks that really need it on low-range downshifts. That's about all.

 

With 14 years experience I'm thinkin'
you already know the answer to that question.

I remember the first company I drove for insisted that the drivers double-clutch all the time. But how would they know if a driver did or didn't? Well, ........ unless they break transmissions and/or twist u-joints.

I tried to float the gears smoothly, but for a couple of years the best I could do was smooth enough, but I'd always seem to scratch the gears goin' in gear. As I look back, I think that was because I was driving one of those International 9700 cab-overs with that short shifter. I just couldn't get a feel for that short-throw shifter.

I went from a 9700 with a 9-speed to a W-900 with 13-speeds, and a long shifter. What a difference. From scratchin' gears to properly meshed shifts --- like overnight. I felt confident enough to float the gears during my pre-hire road test even though I had very limited experience in a conventional. I guess sometimes it's a matter of the equipment and what a driver feels most comfortable with that determines how well they operate a Big truck.

When I asked that company about their clutch use policy, I was told they'd be concerned if I only double-clutched, mentioning one of their drivers who flat couldn't double-clutch. But he floated gears like a hot knife through butter. Like an autoshift transmission.
That was my next goal --- to be able to shift like that.

 

How to read a map
How to read signs
Backing up, how not to rip parts off of other trucks with your truck
How to properly fill out log books

I personally think the schools should take more time with the students, not only in class room but also on the road driving.

 

I wish they had covered more on flatbedding (straps, chains, hooking/ unhooking lowboys) luckily for me being a farm-boy my whole life I was pretty much all set.

 

That is why you have a trainer when you get hired . A CDL mill is expensive enough with out adding time for specialty training . Would you rather pay extra to get that training at school or get paid to get it with a carrier ?