JC CDL Course Requires Knowing Stick Before Classes Start
Topic 16774 | Page 1
That is strange because to the best of my knowledge, instructors usually say its easier to teach someone to shift a truck if they've never driven a manual automobile, because the non manual driver hasn't developed bad habits you usually "gets" double clutching easier.
Double Clutch:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
Double Clutching:
To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.
When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.
This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.
I drove stick for years before going to a truck, I probly had the hardest time in the hole class to lurn to shift a truck it's nothing like doing it in your car. To this day I still have a problem going from my 13 speed to my five speed and back. The truck is always ending up in reverse. And the Jeep is always ending up in just the wrong gear.
I went to a local technical college for my CDL training and the only requirement was to pass the drug testing, medical card, and a waist measurement. Those that have large bellies touching the steering wheel, would not be accepted into class for insurance purposes. I had two team mates that had never driven a clutch before and the last time I drove a clutch was a duce-and-a-half while I was in the Army back in 1992.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you for answering my question. Nice to know I'm not crazy - at least when it comes to this. :)
Stay Safe Out There, Colin K.
I'm currently in training at the local community college (and just started a training diary).
The only requirements were:
DOT physical
DOT drug test
7 year MVR
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
This is the list I received from Long Beach City College. As I mentioned, the program is designed to encourage women to get into trucking. Men are welcome too. Trucks go back and forth from the ports.
** Must be at least 23 years old. ** Must pass the intake interview. ** Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. ** Must hold a current and valid driver's license. ** Must be able to present a clean 10 year driver history report (H6). ** Must be physically able to attain a CDL (49CFR 391.41). ** Must be able to pass a security background check. ** Must be able to pass a drug & alcohol test. ** Must demonstrate proficiency with driving a stick shift/manual transmission vehicle.
Stay Safe Out There, Colin K.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Maybe they did that because they are trying to encourage women to apply? Like, as if the scariest thing about driving a truck is the shifter for women ha ha ha I think the majority of us would agree that even the daintiest of women would say that it isn't, IMO size of vehicle is. the only way I could ever see knowing manual pre CDL school is if you WEREN'T proficient at it. like, if you learned a long time ago but haven't used it since then. Like just having a general knowledge of what a clutch does and the fact that you have to use the stick to change gears, since it's a whole different ball game in a big rig vs 4 wheeler. It's still weird either way to be set as a requirement. There's more than a few of us where being proficient in manual on a 4 wheeler messed us up learning how to drive a big rig. I still remind myself "do not shift into your "last gear" because that's reverse!" when I'm in my car. Maybe once upon a time they had a woman that had general knowledge of manual before starting CDL school say it helped and they confused that for being proficient in manual..........somehow.......idk
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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I've read that courses at junior colleges are some of the best places to get your CDL. I found one in my area but got a bit of a surprise.
This course requires people to know how to drive a stick (manual transmission) BEFORE you start training. I should also say that this program is designed to get women into trucking, though men are welcome. None of the company sponsored training programs I've looked into require knowing how to drive a stick ahead of time.
I had an e-mail conversation with one of their admin people. I pointed out that learning to drive a stick nowadays when you learn how to drive a car is the exception, not the rule. I also pointed out that this requirement obviously limits their applicant pool. I asked point blank, "If you can train me to drive a big rig, why can't you train me how to drive a stick too?" I pretty much got crickets in return. I brought these points up with an in-person recruiter too. She said I had good points and she'd have to find out. I don't expect an answer.
Am I crazy in my thinking on this? If I am, please explain why. I can take it. I promise. :)
Be Safe Out There, Colin K.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated