How Bad Is It If You Don't Train On A Manual?

Bruce I’ll wager just about every driver was terrified prior too getting into a truck for the first time. Prior to autos being a thing. I know I was and I did just fine like thousands and Thousands of others.

Bruce… look Man, my point is there is a whole world of jobs once you have experience that might require a manual. Most LTL jobs will require it. Most of the cement companies and excavation outfits around here are manual fleets. The job I have now, requires it. Best trucking job I’ve had thus far.

Again if at all possible, learn how-to drive a manual in school. It’s the best place to learn this. If the thought of that scares the bee-geezus out of you… don’t attempt it.

Peace.

Hey h G-Town, I totally agree with you that knowing how to drive a manual is a very good thing. If my company told me they had a manual and I was assigned that truck, I wouldn’t hesitate at all. But many potential drivers are scared about the manual issue. I see evidence of that concern here on TT , on a regular basis. I think they can relax about this issue and realize that they can get into driving with an auto restriction. Heck, I have an auto restriction but am I worried? Not at all.

I know ABF will help you get the auto restriction removed. As I was graduating the training program, there was a new hire coming in who already had his auto only CDL and was there to learn how to drive a manual.

That’s really cool. Didn’t know that Dave, good information. Do we know if any other LTL does this (ex: OD, YRC, R&L)?

I know ABF will help you get the auto restriction removed. As I was graduating the training program, there was a new hire coming in who already had his auto only CDL and was there to learn how to drive a manual.

Old Dominion will as well but they prefer not to have to do so. I've heard from the trainers that do it and they said it is not as easy as it seems.

You have to teach them to drive the manual, as well as remove any bad habits they have so they can pass the state test again.

Automatic restriction is no longer a deal breaker at FedEx. Most of the students are getting trained on auto shifters and my building is down to it's last manual.

I wonder which types of trucking jobs would REQUIRE being able to drive a manual? I imagine oversized load requires it. Offroad jobs like oil and gas or forestry maybe. Anyone with experience have input?

Old Dominion will as well but they prefer not to have to do so. I've heard from the trainers that do it and they said it is not as easy as it seems.

You have to teach them to drive the manual, as well as remove any bad habits they have so they can pass the state test again.

Excellent points Bobcat. If you have 2 candidates that are nearly equal with the only difference being an auto restriction and not who do you think will get the job? The candidate that may need a few minutes to get back in the swing of things, or the candidate that they need to invest more time and resources into so they can remove the restriction? With most DMVS being backed up weeks or months who knows how long this process will take. There's many things that most drivers do that isn't what they want to see on the state test. You'll likely do something that you've grown accustomed to in the real world which is the complete opposite of what the state examiner wants to see.

Is being restricted to autos something to keep you out of the industry? Absolutely not. However if you have the option of testing in an auto or manual ALWAYS try to not have restrictions. If you go through company sponsored training you're extremely likely to test in an auto. Some companies may hire you and help you test in a manual otherwise there are companies out there that specialize in this exact thing. In a few different cities in Iowa there's a company called 1 day CDL. You get like 4 hours of practice time and then test with the DMV. Cost is around $500 I believe. Why have the added expense if your school is willing to train you for what you're already paying in tuition. Plus you don't need to spend your valuable home time trying to take care of all this.

An overwhelming majority of this forum feels its best to get all endorsements right away to not limit yourself and to make yourself a better candidate for future opportunities. Yet for some reason some also feel that there's no reason to have the restriction. Truth is nobody knows what the future holds for us. Gtown seemed extremely happy running WM dedicated for Swift for many years. Frequently even mentioning Walmarts Private Fleet is the only job he'd consider leaving Swift for. Life happens and he ended up leaving and finding a job he appears to enjoy even more.

I wonder which types of trucking jobs would REQUIRE being able to drive a manual? I imagine oversized load requires it. Offroad jobs like oil and gas or forestry maybe. Anyone with experience have input?

I think LTL companies still run lots of manuals. You LTL guys out there, is that true? Also, smaller companies that buy used trucks for their operations will have some manuals.

When I was looking for a new company, I had a great offer from a medium sized company that had trucks running up to 70 mph and paying out at 65 cents per mile. The only catch was that I would be driving a manual. But I didn’t think my left knee could handle the extra work, so I went with a 100% automated company. If I was younger and my knee joints were in better condition, I might have opted for the manual.

Thing Is Bruce is once one learns how to float gears you don’t use the clutch unless you are coming from a dead stop. You would barely use it as an otr driver most days. Heck as a local driver I barely use it. I simply creep in low gear in traffic or approaching a red light.

When I was looking for a new company, I had a great offer from a medium sized company that had trucks running up to 70 mph and paying out at 65 cents per mile. The only catch was that I would be driving a manual. But I didn’t think my left knee could handle the extra work, so I went with a 100% automated company. If I was younger and my knee joints were in better condition, I might have opted for the manual.