Sprinklerman
Platinum Member
That must be new , I took mine with an auto trans and have no restriction
Getting CDL
- Thread starter brycez28
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That must be new , I took mine with an auto trans and have no restriction
bigtiller
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Something to consider....
As the holder of a commercial drivers license (CDL), you’re held to a higher standard when behind the wheel – kind of a the -bigger-the-vehicle-the-bigger-the-responsibilities type mindset.
And, with this higher standard comes higher repercussions when traffic tickets and DUI convictions are involved.
As the holder of a commercial drivers license (CDL), you’re held to a higher standard when behind the wheel – kind of a the -bigger-the-vehicle-the-bigger-the-responsibilities type mindset.
And, with this higher standard comes higher repercussions when traffic tickets and DUI convictions are involved.
DK35vince
Super Member
Here is an example what I was talking about
Truck Driver Training - Automatic or Manual? - Ask The Trucker
They are trying to or have made the auto restrictions a thing in all states. I don't know the current status by they are pushing for it if it is t implemented already. I took my CDL test in Texas in 2015 in an auto and have no restrictions but not sure if that is the case now. My peterbilt and kenworth dump truck are both standards so I can drive both but testing for a newbie is way easier in an auto. I drove standard pickups all my life and learning to drive a standard big rig has a learning curve for sure. I think the restriction is a good idea because it takes some skill to drive a manual big rig.
TMGT
Elite Member
I guess autos are becoming more commonplace on class A trucks. My dad works for a large food distribution company and they've been changing a lot of their fleet over to auto's.
dieselcrawler
Elite Member
My former employer has a fleet of about 30 big trucks, 90% are Auto trans. Was hard getting a manual trans truck for taking my test, which is why it was the oldest, longest, junky one that nobody wanted to drive.
sandman2234
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I am a CDL instructor.
Not all states allow the "auto restriction", Florida being one. If the rumors I hear are correct, it will be later this year or next when that restriction becomes a reality.
I spend most of my time teaching simple shifting in a 10 speed. The state mandates that students learn to double clutch, so that is a total new experience for people who have driven a stick.
There is a school south of here that is a CDL factory. Want to buy one, have at it. If you want a job, your wasting your money, because employer's give drivers a road test before hiring them, and then we get them (with class A license) to train all over again. You would be surprised at how many people that have a CDL-A that have no clue how to drive a semi truck. State requires that you be able to downshift also, a feat that usually scares most students, but I have teaching it down pat, so it is easier than up-shifting.
Bigtiller speaks the truth, if you don't need a CDL, stay away from it. The added penalties and such are not worth it. There are things you can do with a regular drivers license only to cost you a few bucks if you mess up, and they suspend your license if you have a CDL. (Take for instance running across a set of railroad tracks when the lights start flashing but the bars haven't gone down, and your on your way back from the store with ice cream for the wife, in your car. Probably $180 or so fine for a drivers license, but if you have a CDL, the penalty becomes a 60 day suspension, and you weren't even in a truck!!!)
David from jax
Not all states allow the "auto restriction", Florida being one. If the rumors I hear are correct, it will be later this year or next when that restriction becomes a reality.
I spend most of my time teaching simple shifting in a 10 speed. The state mandates that students learn to double clutch, so that is a total new experience for people who have driven a stick.
There is a school south of here that is a CDL factory. Want to buy one, have at it. If you want a job, your wasting your money, because employer's give drivers a road test before hiring them, and then we get them (with class A license) to train all over again. You would be surprised at how many people that have a CDL-A that have no clue how to drive a semi truck. State requires that you be able to downshift also, a feat that usually scares most students, but I have teaching it down pat, so it is easier than up-shifting.
Bigtiller speaks the truth, if you don't need a CDL, stay away from it. The added penalties and such are not worth it. There are things you can do with a regular drivers license only to cost you a few bucks if you mess up, and they suspend your license if you have a CDL. (Take for instance running across a set of railroad tracks when the lights start flashing but the bars haven't gone down, and your on your way back from the store with ice cream for the wife, in your car. Probably $180 or so fine for a drivers license, but if you have a CDL, the penalty becomes a 60 day suspension, and you weren't even in a truck!!!)
David from jax
Lot of truth in that post.
I own a semi and a tandem dump truck. Semi has a 10 spd and the dump has an 8LL. I can drive the heck out of them both but I float gears up and down and have no idea how to double clutch. I would probably have difficulty during the test if they made me double clutch.
The other thing which you alluded to is that with a CDL lots of things change. For example no more defensive driving or deferred disposition on tickets. I have probably got 5 speeding tickets over the past 15 years prior to getting my CDL. None of them ever went on my record because I always did defensive driving or deferred. With a CDL those are no longer options even in a personal car. I no longer speed which I guess is a good thing.
I own a semi and a tandem dump truck. Semi has a 10 spd and the dump has an 8LL. I can drive the heck out of them both but I float gears up and down and have no idea how to double clutch. I would probably have difficulty during the test if they made me double clutch.
The other thing which you alluded to is that with a CDL lots of things change. For example no more defensive driving or deferred disposition on tickets. I have probably got 5 speeding tickets over the past 15 years prior to getting my CDL. None of them ever went on my record because I always did defensive driving or deferred. With a CDL those are no longer options even in a personal car. I no longer speed which I guess is a good thing.
RedNeckRacin
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Don't forget about the lower blood alcohol level!
