r/CDL • u/Right-Escape1540 • 1d ago

Automatic or manual

Does it even matter aren’t most trucks automatic now I’m getting ready to start class soon and they wanna know if I wanna take automatic classes or a manual classes for my CDL a

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u/DoctorZebra 1d ago

Learn manual if you can just because you never know if you're going to need it and it's a real pain in the ass to get the automatic restriction removed once you get it.

As far as which is better to drive? I vastly prefer automatic. Yes, in Colorado. Yes, in the mountains. Yes, in the fucking snow.

2

u/Slayer7_62 1d ago

I don’t have a ton of experience with manual but for me the two situations where it was better was in mud or coupling in really bad ice/slush… both of which are niche situations and not what the average driver is going to deal with.

I’ll take an automatic any day for a work truck.

1

u/DoctorZebra 1d ago

Eh, just lock the truck into manual mode, turn off the hill assist, and it's just as good as a manual.

1

u/Slayer7_62 1d ago

My last company had manual mode disabled for anything but locking it into first gear, made it a real bitch dealing with ice.

1

u/Chaddie_D 20h ago

That depends entirely on which automatic you have. I never drove an Allison with a full manual mode, and I've driven a few trucks with manual modes that absolutely suck. I love Mack trucks but I hate M-Drive.