Comments By studpuppy28

Thanks very much...I didn't mean to make you do all that typing but it's the best advice I've had so far you expounded and added things my CDL teacher didn't so I REALLY appreciate it and your words. If we ever meet on the road somewhere, let me know and your supper is on me. o

First of all, let me clear one thing up. Your instructors are shifting smoothly and you're not because they have years of experience, and you don't. You won't come anywhere close to their shifting anytime soon. (I'm saying this in a nice way).

On your CDL test they won't expect you to shift like a pro either. What they do expect is that you don't grind the years all day long. But they won't expect perfection. No one is perfect in your position. Heck, I even asked the same question here on TT that you just asked a long time ago.

Generally, the more miles you drive the better you are at shifting. Remember, when you're solo, you're going to be driving about 60 hours per week. You'll know your truck and what it likes and doesn't like real quickly. So don't sweat it if you're struggling at shifting, it's normal.

Let me walk you through up shifting as detailed as I can. Always remember to double clutch! If you're at a complete stop. You should be having a foot on the brake and clutch. Slowly release both the brake and the clutch. When you release the clutch just enough you'll feel the engine want to take off. When you feel that happen you know that you're almost off the clutch completely. Slowly and gently release both clutch and brake. Accelerate to about 1500 RMPs.

Before I continue let me explain RPMs for you. You'll generally have numbers 1-30 on your RPM gauge. Memorize this; 15 is when your engine is ready to UPSHIFT. 12 is when your engine is ready to DOWNSHIFT.

Once you're accelerating, as soon as the RPMs hit the 15 then upshift. Press the clutch in only a few inches. I stress this, make sure you press it only a few inches! Pushing in the clutch pedal too hard or to the floor will cause your truck to do a slight "bounce". So, push the clutch in only a few inches. Then put the trans into neutral. As soon as you put it in neutral then push the clutch in a few inches again then put it into the next gear. Remember don't take too long up shifting because then it'll be harder for you to put it in the gear. A good system I've learned is this... Get RPMs to 15. Clutch to neutral... Wait 1/2 second... Clutch into the gear.

Downshifting is more difficult and you won't get good at it until you go solo. For downshifting, lower your RPMs to about 12. To lower the RPMs you should just simply brake gently. When you hit 12 RPMs then clutch into neutral. Rev the engine to approximately 15 RPMs. Don't drag the rev, just hit the accelerator gently once. As soon as you're done revving the engine then IMMEDIATELY push in the clutch a few inches and put it into the gear. Remember to only push in the clutch a few inches always.

There's no real answer for how much pressure you put on the accelerator. Every truck is different. Some pedals are more resistant for example. You'll get a feel for the truck your driving. Just don't over think how hard you're supposed to hit the pedal but also don't kick it. Just gently hit the accelerator as if you were trying to accelerator. If you want a definite answer from me I would say take it down 2 inches with your foot. Remember to hit it enough to get your RPMs to we're you want them, don't over rev the RPMs to the 25.

With the driving test they require you to never hit a curb and to never drive over a certain distance while in neutral. Basically always drive in a gear. If you try to shift and can't get it into the gear then immediately put it back in the gear you took it out of. That will save you. They certainly don't require you to shift like a pro though.

I attended CDL school but did not finish because the teacher didn't complete his teaching tasks for me and I have yet to even perform some backing up exercises. I asked the school and they would not let me practice more and wanted me to test when I wasn't ready. we wasted time and did not stay on the pad and practice like they should have let me do. The contract was not fulfilled on the school's part; what should I do?

This is to all you veteran drivers out there: I am having slight bit of trouble learning to shift smoothly and expertly like my teacher and all the other experienced truckers. what is the best way to downshift and upshift properly and legally? I'm going to need to be competent for my CDL road test. when upshifting, how much pressure should I put on the gas pedal? and what should my feet be doing when downshifting? or anything else you wanna add. please do so.