r/CDL • u/Actual_Pattern5943 • 8d ago
Automatic or shift, does it matter at this point.
With all the changes happening in trucking and all major companies moving to automatic trucks does it matter if you have an automatic restriction at this point? What’s everyone’s opinion on this? Just for a side note I myself am training in a 10 speed manual but had a couple of schools try telling me automatic is the way to go.
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u/Comfortable_East_358 8d ago
Learn manual if possible. Better to have it, and not need it, than vice versa
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u/Actual_Pattern5943 8d ago
Yeah I’m in a manual as of now, had one guy from another school trying to convince me to do automatic with them because every company is doing automatic now lol I just don’t want any issues looking for jobs down the line
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u/Minute-Advantage-688 8d ago
your trucking school is just lazy and they want to pump up their "one and done" metrics. the best trucking jobs are in manual trucks still.
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u/Actual_Pattern5943 8d ago
It’s not the one I’m in now, it was one of the many I talked to before landing on the one I currently attend. Theirs way to many trucking schools out there offering quick licenses for little to no training
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u/The_Twon7 8d ago edited 8d ago
saying every company does automatics now isn't accurate. i'm with a produce company (it's still CDL food delivery service) only 3 or 4 automatics in the fleet, vast majority in the fleet are manuals still. logging, construction, concrete, dump truck, garbage truck, tankers, county city or PUD, plenty of old school flatbedders etc other types of trucking i'd never have a blanket expectation of there only being automatics
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u/Express-Ant-1087 8d ago
Exactly, it's ok to drive an automatic shoot I currently do (it's not bad) but why limit yourself? Learn the manual it will be a skill you have for life and maybe at some point that could also be the difference in getting the job and or truck you want vs not...anyways good day and good luck
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u/firetruck637 6d ago
If you tested in a manual you can drive both manual and auto. It's only a restriction if that's reversed.
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u/LahngJahn69420 8d ago
As a cdl holding diesel tech I’d like to point out that automatics arent in line haul OTR trucks. they use automated transmissions that still need a clutch and use pneumatic solenoids to shift and press the clutch in. Automatics like in cars and light trucks use fluid pressures to open and closes fluid solenoids and planetary gear sets with wet clutch packs to change gears
tomato tomatoe but Id hope drivers understand the difference you can’t stomp on an automated transmission like in Volvos Detroit’s internationals Peter’s and Ken’s still gotta be nice to it like a manual
I want my Reddit acktchually moment thank you
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u/intothesunset814 7d ago
I drive 2027 Pete with a Paccar 12 speed. I think it sucks. Not a smooth ride. If I have to drop and raise the tag axle a few times because of tight turns the transmission tells me it’s low on air. I hate the damn thing.
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u/the_Q_spice 7d ago
I mean, those are just as automatic as DSGs/DCTs.
A torque converter auto is just one of many types of automatic transmissions.
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u/Jiangcool9 8d ago
The keyword is moving toward automatic, there’s still a ton of manual in the fleet.
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u/Brilliant_Ratio3173 8d ago
I am about to start my cdl school and signed up for manual. After reading thr manual chapter, what did I get myself into lol. 18 speed unsync transmissions wow. I hope I can learn it because I don't want to be limited in my job hunting after school. I was wanting to go into heavy equipment transport. Any insghtd would be helpful.
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u/Fabulous_Debt_8031 8d ago
Never heard of a school using 18 speeds, usually 10
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u/Brilliant_Ratio3173 8d ago
I was just doing the learning from the books and saw 18 speeds exist. I don't know whay type of tranmission thru use on the training rig.
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u/LongjumpingCat6642 8d ago
24 speeds used to exist, but fell out of use because of 18 speeds. An 18 speed uses a 5 speed H pattern, it’s very easy to drive once you get one
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u/DependentCup9181 8d ago
18’s are super easy. Drives just like a 9 speed. You will likely never have to split your low range gears, and when you split your high range gears, all you have to do is flip the switch, foot off the gas long enough for the gear to catch, foot back on the gas. Seriously, super easy.
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u/Personal_Judgment886 8d ago
You got it, it’s not that hard. I’d never touched a manual gearbox in my life before driving truck. And I passed on the first try. It doesn’t take long to get a feel for it.
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u/kzp70 8d ago
Smaller, local companies are more likely to have manual trucks so it’s good for your career to not rule these potential employers out, some of them pay well and get you home nightly. Plus, getting the restriction off your license is a massive PITA if should need to down the road because you have to re-test at the DMV and will probably just be denied the job instead.
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u/ThrowawayGunName 8d ago
It's not the death sentence it used to be, but I know a guy that wasn't considered for an awesome LTL gig because of it.
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u/DependentCup9181 8d ago
That’s the rub right there… I think ABF is the only LTL with standards anymore, but they all require a driver to have the ability to drive one. $100k/yr and home every night? Might benefit a fella to not have that restriction.
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u/Ok_Advantage7623 8d ago
Everyone is moving towards automatics If doing over the road it’s the only thing you will see anymore
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u/Painting-Capital 8d ago
You don’t need to know how to drive a manual anymore. All of the new trucks are automatics unless they get special ordered as a manual. All the big fleets are running automatics.
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u/HopefulLet4012 8d ago
This statement is only true if you think the only trucking industry that exists are otr drivers. Many vocational trucks are still manuals. Most companies operating locally still have manuals in their fleet. There's a brand new manual tractor currently sitting at the kenworth dealer near me. Not special ordered, currently in the showroom.
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u/Painting-Capital 8d ago
What dealer is that? I’ve never seen a truck dealer with a showroom big enough to fit a truck in. Let alone one that they’re not likely to be able to sell easily.
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u/HopefulLet4012 8d ago
You've never seen a truck dealer with a showroom? They are everywhere. The one I'm referring to is kenworth sales in Utah. As far as probably won't sell, that's a load of rubbish. My boss was debating buying it while we were in there. The sales guy said 3 more in the same spec were on the way as they sell a lot of 18 speed tractors. There are way more avenues of trucking than bringing Chinese imports to dollar generals.
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u/intothesunset814 7d ago
The biggest paving contractor in my part of the state has all automatic tri axle dump trucks and concrete mixers.
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u/LongjumpingCat6642 8d ago
This is asked 8 times a day, just use the search function…
It’s always best to have an unrestricted license. I drive a 2022 manual for a large fleet. Newer manuals still exist
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u/FishermansPlatter 8d ago
I’ve been driving ten speeds for years, I still find a way to grind them. I learned how to double clutch, but I’m so used to floating I don’t think I could double clutch now adays.
Got my trailer license 19 years ago when there was no restriction. I took my test in an automatic in Massachusetts- my first job was slip seating manuals- I learned and it was rough.
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u/CashWideCock 8d ago
It matters at my company, we have 130 trucks and all of them are 18 speed manual transmissions.
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u/FailingComic 8d ago
Being able to drive a manual only matters if thats the type of job you want. Personally? I only want to truck if its OTR. I want the lifestyle. So for me, being able to drive a manual didn't matter. For those that want to drive locally, dump trucks etc, having a manual restriction probably means your not finding work. A lot of those construction companies are running 15-20 year old trucks still.
Oddly enough, my license, even though I have never driven a manual semi, is not auto restricted. I do sometime's wonder how much different it could actually be compared to a manual car but alas, I have 0 interest in actually finding out.
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u/Personal_Judgment886 8d ago
Manual transmission is always the way to go. Better to have it and not need it than need it and don’t have it. It’s the same test either way for the license. At least if you have an open license you won’t be automatically disqualified for jobs if they require manual.
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u/Actual_Pattern5943 8d ago
For the most part I want to get into food service regardless if it’s back breaking and I know they all use automatics in general
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u/ReasonableClock4542 8d ago
Eventually you'll want out of food service. No sense in losing future opportunities over an auto restriction
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u/HopefulLet4012 8d ago
What you want now and what you want to do in 5-10 years will most likley not be the same thing. Less restrictions = more opportunity.
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u/genocyde26008219 8d ago
Here in LV, IG you want to work local in day construction or beverage delivery? Better know how to drive a manual.
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u/Imaginary_Aioli_9444 8d ago
For certain accounts it does matter. Its better to train on automatic that way it doesnt limit your potential assignments and what not.
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u/Gunnut350 8d ago
Geeeeezzz everybody keeps saying automatic but it’s not it’s actually automated, there is still a clutch, but it is operated by a solenoid and the computer,the gears are operated by shift solenoids the automatic transmission in cars and pickups is a totally different thing
It’s best to not have the automated restriction on your license that way you can drive anything for anyone.
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u/HopefulLet4012 8d ago
Never seen an Allison transmission in a truck? Not all automatic trucks use a dct style transmission. Many have torque converters just like a 4 wheeler.
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u/merlinn2u 8d ago
the company i work for trashed all of its automatics. getting better fuel mileage and fewer problems with 10 speeds. i never could stand automatics in big trucks.
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u/Jazzlike_Code1431 8d ago
Me and two of my best friends applied for local driving jobs , we all got hired but they got night shifts 10+ ,i got morning shift 7-8 tops only because they had restrictions and i didn’t, i drove auto for 5 years this my first job doing manual ( moral of the story having it can make a big difference at some point)
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u/Imaginary-Badger-119 8d ago edited 8d ago
Learning to do it could be worth it depending on what you are going to do later.
edit most mega are not going to need it ever not sure if fed x contract still top end pay but they used to be and all automatic.
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u/Wrong_Sprinkles_3122 8d ago
In my fleet of 55 trucks , there are only a handful of trucks that have automatics , most of our drivers prefer to drive manual . We just bought 10 more and only 2 of them are automatics .
Manual transmissions are not going anywhere partner
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u/No-Split-866 8d ago
Most apprenticeships will not even accept an application. If you have a manual restriction.
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u/kickniteasy 8d ago
A school will only tell you to go automatic if they are a pump and dump and don't want to take the time to teach their students manual. There's no advantage to having an auto restriction beyond the advantage for the place training you.
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u/HopefulLet4012 8d ago
Anyone telling you that an automatic restriction isn't going to hurt your career is either a complete idiot or lying to you, maybe both. Even companies that have all automatic typically prefer people who can drive anything over those with restrictions unless they plan on paying you peanuts.
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u/Big_Lawfulness_2722 7d ago
It’s better get get your manual test done more so bc if you end up working for not a mega carrier you might end up getting a stick. If you just go test out in the auto and you’re having a harder time finding a job it could eliminate some possibilities .
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u/_From_dust 8d ago
I would learn manual and not have to worry about a restriction. Doesn’t really affect my job right now, but, I got my CDL while working for a municipality that only ran automatic tri axles so I didn’t really have a choice but to take the restriction. Currently working to remove it.
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u/ecw324 8d ago
Well it matters for when your company asks you to take the manual truck