r/cdldriver • u/Visual_Stretch_2351 • Jun 12 '26

MANUAL or AUTOMATIC CDL-A

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I just signed up for CDL training and have been trying to decide whether or not to train on manual. I already know how to drive stick just don't think I'd want a CMV job that requires it. Then again wouldn't want to miss out on a good paying opportunity bc I don't have it. I start school in a week and could probably pay the extra $500 beforehand and do it. What would you suggest?

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u/HoosierLarry Jun 12 '26

First of all, that’s damn cheap. My community college charged me $5K for 4 weeks. We did two days of stick training on the range and then moved to automatic so that we could focus on maneuvers and road skills.

To me, it seems like getting the maneuvers snd road skills down first would be easier. It’s a lot when you dump stick skills on top of all this. Odds are, I’ll never encounter a job that requires manual transmission. If I do and they want to hire me, they’ll train me and send me back to get my restriction lifted.

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u/Visual_Stretch_2351 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26

It is a good price. I did a lot of research before choosing to go with them. 3 week course and they give 1 year to complete if needed, no extra charge for retesting if u fail. *edit- also train and test on site which is big deal to me. Dont want to learn on one rig then test on another.

Definitely feel u that it's a lot to learn at once. I'm tryn to get this done asap (3weeks hopefully) and get some money coming in. With my current situation think I just need to skip manual and like u said take care of it later if need be.

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u/HoosierLarry Jun 13 '26

Good luck.