Manual Training Carriers
Topic 21657 | Page 1
I've seen the post here about manual training carriers, but I would like current information on this topic. It's wise to train with a manual so after the one or two year mark more possibilities are there (including local jobs). I was advised that it will be years before this industry is totally automatic. So... what starter companies still train in a manual transmission? Any current information is appreciated.
You might want to make this inquiry on the Diary Forum. Most everyone posting there can share a current training experience.
Contrary to what you heard, most every major carrier is transitioning to auto-shift trucks. I don't know of any mega-carrier NOT moving in this direction.
Realize that companies offering Paid CDL Training Programs use their older trucks for training purposes.
Eventually, perhaps in 2-3 years we'll be hard pressed to find a manual truck in any training fleet.
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.
Prime is still testing in manuals. HOWEVER, many students are training on automatics during the PSD school portion driving up to 10k OTR with a permit and instructor in the seat next to them, then getting some training on a manual to pass the exam. Many then are going out in the automatic for 30,000 miles in the TNT team situation. So although you will be licensed to drive the manual, you will not feel confident driving one. This is happening because we are turning to autos as well. I still have a 2016 manual but will be turning it in probably by the summer and will be given an auto.
Some trainers still have manuals, some have autos. Its a luck of the draw and lease ops potentially keep their trucks longer. As the leases run out, ths autos will be phased in and the manual testing will end.
If you stay the year and complete the contract, it will probably be a long time before you get to drive a manual again. So keep in mind that when that time comes, renting a rig to refresh or finding a company that will give a manual refresher course will be necessary.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
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I've seen the post here about manual training carriers, but I would like current information on this topic. It's wise to train with a manual so after the one or two year mark more possibilities are there (including local jobs). I was advised that it will be years before this industry is totally automatic. So... what starter companies still train in a manual transmission? Any current information is appreciated.