going to CDL training but never drove a stick
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 12
yup, ive never drove a stick in my life
im 20 years old, about to go to C 1 in indianapolis...im pretty sure i can pick it up pretty quick, im a quick learner when it comes to heavy equipment... i already have my class a permit, and i have beene a yard jockey for almost 2 years, so backing is no problem for me at all...except maybe parallel parking ive never had to do that so i think i will be ahead of the curve in the backing area, but since ive never drove a stick illl have to focus on that alot while in class anybody think it will be a problem?
#2
No problem at all. In fact you'll be even better because a truck doesnt shift anything like a car. Guys who can shift a car are overconfident, until they try it. Then they are humbled. You'll both grind em equally as bad at first!:lol:
#4
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
Posts: 4,977
It is usually the clutching that gets most people who are able to drive a stick.
I agree, you will probably have an easier time never have driven a manual before. No habits to break or modify. I taught my wife how to drive a truck and had her shifting well after only a couple of hours of practice and she had never driven a stick or anything bigger than a Ford Taurus.
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#5
yup, ive never drove a stick in my life
im 20 years old, about to go to C 1 in indianapolis...im pretty sure i can pick it up pretty quick, im a quick learner when it comes to heavy equipment... i already have my class a permit, and i have beene a yard jockey for almost 2 years, so backing is no problem for me at all...except maybe parallel parking ive never had to do that so i think i will be ahead of the curve in the backing area, but since ive never drove a stick illl have to focus on that alot while in class anybody think it will be a problem? as long as your teacher knows what he is doing, you will be fine
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#6
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 12
i dont want to sound overconfident, but im sure i will pick it up...im good with these like that, and i learned to drive a jockey truck and back trailers very quick
but put some algebra in front of me and i turn into forrest gump should probably mention my dad was a truck driver (now on permanent lay off), and so was my grandfather im a 3rd generation teamster (local 135) soon to be 3rd generation truck driver...so ive grown up around it, and grown up around my dad and his driver buddies...i get advice from him, my grandpa, and all the drivers at work....im very confident in my skills and my future as a truck driver, and im just trying to find a way to pay for my CDL training and get started hope i dont come off as arrogant...im just more of a hands on, blue collar type of guy...im good with equipment but terrible with things like computers Last edited by Freebird135; 05-24-2009 at 01:43 PM.
#7
Board Regular
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 210
I've driven a stick most of my life (7 out of 10 cars I've owned have been stick). My first lap around the school track - I was SO DISGUSTED with my shifting, I though about just getting out of the truck and going HOME. Quite the humbling experience indeed. Even the "Pros" grind em' and miss one, once in awhile - that's why most (good) schools also teach how to recover from a missed gear. A week later, and I'm now "floating" them like a Pro. Nothing gives experience - like EXPERIENCE does... Best of luck to you... Rick
#8
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,882
"I'm 20 years old", "put some algebra in front of me and i turn into forrest gump" What state will you be driving in, you're too young to do interstate. I hope you pick up enought algebra to do your logbook calculations (D= RT). BOL
#9
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 12
will either take a bid as a city driver or yard jockey, whatever i can get
#10
I also went to school never having driven anything with a stick other than an old farm tractor.
I was very confused the first time I got to 6th at 35 mph, and then the instructor hit the switch..pow, more gears. Once you get the double clutching down, the rest comes easy. |

