Is knowing how to drive a stick shift car a prerequisite for learning to drive a truck (getting your CDL)?

Question

Obviously a truck requires much more learning than that of a car, but I am talking about someone who will be going to a truck driving school and is concerned because they can't drive a stick shift car.

Answer 1

good question...not really cause big trucks have 10 to 18 speeds in them and shifting in a car and truck are typically different with the shift patterns and the ranges of the rpm's that you shift are way different when u get your cdl (you should attend a cdl school) they will teach you how to properly shift and drive the truck

Answer 2

Ignore those people wo don't even know what CDL stands for. It would help a little if you already knew how to drive a standard, but it isn't real hard to learn in a tractor trailer. Comparing cars and big trucks is like apples and oranges. Within 4 or 5 months if you pay attention to your instructors and catch on quickly, you won't even need to use the clutch except to start out with. I've been driving for about 5 years now, and every truck is a little different than the last one, so I'm always adapting driving and shifting techniques. Have fun!

Answer 3

Getting a commerical driver's license requires a lot more skill than jumping behind the wheel of a car with a standard transmission. Most Semi trucks require double clutching to change gears so learning to drive a standard shift car will help you get the basics down however once you jump in a big rig your up for a surprise, what you learned in your car won't work on a semi truck. Double clutching requires you to press in the clutch shift to neutral, rev the engine up to the required RPM's for the next higher gear, press in the clutch once more and complete the shift (hense the double clutch term). It requires a lot of practice to do this correctly without coming to a standstill on the road.

Answer 4

Yes check the online test questions for CDL in your state.
Commerical Drivers Liscense. You need to understand clutching and double clutching. You need to understand the shift pattern. Also add the air brake test regardless of what you do.
The truck you take the test with depends on what you show up with. Many trucks are automatic, but the written test is different and you may need to know answers on the clutch. Locally you must provide your own truck. Which means someone with a CDL needs to drive that truck tot he test area for you.

Answer 5

A few years ago Maybe but a goodly number of the large Trucking Companies are going Automatic to save on Repairs and Fuel Mileage. You have to learn a lot more than just keeping the Big 18 between the Ditches.

Answer 6

If you learn to drive a stick shift, you will have the knowledge of driving a stick and an automatic. You could burn out the clutch learning on a stick. but with a good and patient teacher, you should be okay. Try a little practice first on an automatic. My husband taught my daughter to drive a stick in an hour. It was her first car.

Answer 7

First you need to clarify what CDL means - Connecticut Drivers License?

If you are looking at just learn a stick, some trucks are EASIER than some cars, it depends on the make/model. Toyota & Nissan trucks would be about the easiest to learn as far as trucks go.

Answer 8

well it is not a prerequisite to getting into school for truck driving because the school will teach you how to handle driving the rig and due to the fact that it is a larger vehicle they usualy take about thirteen weeks to teach you how to handle driving a large vehicle and there is usualy about a three month training period with a company before you are let out on your own to drive

Answer 9

Most likely, considering most every Class A vehicle will have a standard transmission. It's not that hard to learn, so don't worry about it.

Answer 10

No it is a whole other animal. it requires double clutching and shifting at the right R.P.M. also you will be dealing with massive amount of weight and elevations