Does Swift Train You In Automatic Or Standard?

Recruiter told me I may or may not be trained in automatic. Going to school in corsicana tx . Confused read somewhere the school is standard then on the road you drive automatic? Just trying to get the facts.

This information is about a year old. I spoke with a Swift Mentor (road training) who told me then that Swift will keep Academy training & road training with manuals for a while longer.

However, all the Bigs are switching to auto-shift (automatic) starting about two years ago. Unless you have a specific reason besides the limitation of automatic, you'll be in an auto-shift for most of your company driving career.

Went through training with swift starting in October last year, my trainer had an auto shifter. You train in whatever truck your trainer is assigned to or leasing, so depends on that. I know like 90% of company assigned trucks were auto shifter at the time as well.

Went through training with swift starting in October last year, my trainer had an auto shifter. You train in whatever truck your trainer is assigned to or leasing, so depends on that. I know like 90% of company assigned trucks were auto shifter at the time as well.

School (for CDL) and Training (Mentoring, post CDL) are two different things...

As of right now the Swift Academies still "teach" their students in 8 and/or 10-speed manuals. Please refer to what Errol posted earlier.

And "yes", Swift began transitioning to an auto-shift fleet with the model year 2016. Which means once the 2015's (150xxx number series) are phased out (like "now")... Swift will be very close-to 100% auto-shift. Only L/O's can order a truck with a manual and I am quite sure over time, that too will end.

I spoke to them at my local swift academy and told me they train and test you in a manual but when you get out with a trainer and get your own truck it will be an automatic, this is because they want to avoid that restriction on your license.

I spoke to them at my local swift academy and told me they train and test you in a manual but when you get out with a trainer and get your own truck it will be an automatic, this is because they want to avoid that restriction on your license.

In 2-3 years time...I doubt they will continue with this policy. Since they are not purchasing manual shift trucks (not since 2016 model year) ...as the Academy fleets age, they will be replaced with auto-shift tractors. It's inevitable...

Recruiter told me I may or may not be trained in automatic. Going to school in corsicana tx . Confused read somewhere the school is standard then on the road you drive automatic? Just trying to get the facts.

I know im not an experienced driver so hopefully you dont mind me adding my two cents in. I just graduated from the fontana academy in May. We where taught on 10 speed manuals. There was talk of them switching to automatics by the end of the year but im only speaking on the fontana academy. I live in Sacramento. I had the option to upgrade to solo after my 200hrs in Jurupa or Lathrop. Of course you can upgrade wherever you are once your 200hrs is up with your mentor but i know jurupa and lathrop test you out in an automatic.

Best of luck to you driver!

During May-June of last year, I went to Swift Academy, in Corsicana. All were 10 speed manual transmissions.

Other helpful info is that they had 4 certified testers at the academy, that I was aware of. This meaning that we didn't go to the DMV to test. We all tested right there on the property, and took the road test in Corsicana. Even though, you do have to still go to the DMV to get your CLP.

It was rumor that they were no longer going to be able to give the road test in Corsicana but, would rather have to go to a different location picked out by the DMV.

All was setup so that you would not have the automatic only restrictions on your license.

And some trainers do still drive manual transmission trucks. You can request one if you'd prefer to train in a manual truck.