Driving a tractor trailer?

Question

I went to training program at CR England year and half ago,but dropped out because they didn't really want to teach how to shift since I never drove a standard. I still want to enroll in a private trucking school with my own money. Is it hard to drive a standard on a 18 wheeler?Compare to a regular vehicle.

Answer 1

Actually, it is easier to shift a tractor trailer than it is a car.  

Before I got my tractor trailer license, I had rarely driven standard before.  The benefit was that I did not have to 'un-learn' car shifting in order to learn tractor trailer shifting.  

It's hard to believe that a company didn't want to 'teach you how to shift' because it is their equipment you will be driving, and repairs are costly.  More than likely you were just being trained by someone who really didn't have to patience to teach someone with no experience.  You should have inquired about getting a different trainer.  ( I had to do that, my first 'company trainer' was a dill-hole... the second guy I was assigned to was great... we are still friendly to this day )  

Keep in mind that many trucking schools will pretty much just teach you what you need to know to pass the road test at the DOT, and your 'real training' won't begin until you are hired a a company and put through their own training program.  

Don't give up though.  If it is something you really want to do, you can succeed in spite of others.

Answer 2

Contact http://www.schneider.com/drivers/

This is a reputable trucking company. I went thru their own company owned school. They teach you how to shift. The training is free if you stay with them for a set time. Even if you quite early, the amount of money they want for the traing is less than a private cdl school. They even provide room and board during the training. Feel free to ask me any other questions.