NationStates Jolt Archive

So, they finally made the mistake of letting me out on the road in a big truck.

I feel for all of you. Actually, it's not the size of the truck that I find hard to work with, it's driving with a standard transmission that's throwing me off. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 26, and then it was automatic transmission. So, I've done plenty of driving since then, including some larger trucks, but never anything with a standard transmission.

Older people who grew up with it act like it's no big deal, but when you're learning in a large 5-ton, it makes a difference. I'm actually not doing too bad, but it's kind of anti-intuitive to gear down as I approach a light, and I instinctively want to back up slowly, and I was having issues stalling the truck out not using the clutch when I was backing up a slight grade.

At any rate, I'm doing a lot better than I thought (I honestly didn't think I'd be out on the road already). But be forewarned, I could be anywhere in North America grinding gears near you!


On a sidenote, anyone else have similar experiences? Anyone else drive truck, or tractor-trailer? People who have always driven standard?

Heck, I'll even throw a poll in!

Here in the UK manual is the norm, so that's what I'm learning to drive in now. I'll be damned if I pass this century though...

I learned to drive on a manual (well, the cars I learned to 'drive' in only had one gear, but that's another story), had an auto in high school and hated it and now won't own a automatic transmission car. Everything since that high school car has been manual. I get better mileage, better control of the car, and if the battery dies and I don't have my jump box, cables or someone else to start me up I can still get going with enough space to roll the car.

I don't think I'll ever know how to drive..

You're a truck driver? Damn, only a matter of time before you start whining about us bastard dispatchers. Though a mere five ton truck barely counts.


Hold please!






















































































































































































Enjoying the hold music?

By standard, do you mean manual transmission?

Same thing.

Same thing.

Yeah, that's what I mean.

Ta, I suppose I should have guessed that...:rolleyes:

I don't drive yet (just have my permit), but the car my parents are giving me this summer has automatic transmission.

By standard, do you mean manual transmission?

Yeah, that's what I mean.

I learned to drive on a manual (well, the cars I learned to 'drive' in only had one gear, but that's another story), had an auto in high school and hated it and now won't own a automatic transmission car. Everything since that high school car has been manual. I get better mileage, better control of the car, and if the battery dies and I don't have my jump box, cables or someone else to start me up I can still get going with enough space to roll the car.

See, people who learn it first, swear by it. It's just a curveball if you're used to driving automatic.

I've never driven an automatic in the eight years I've been driving. Not even in Spain when driving on the wrong side of the road. Here, if you pass your test in an automatic you're not allowed to drive manuals, and almost everything is manual.

I'm sure I could figure an auto out in an emergency (you put it into D and press the accelerator, right? And put it into P when you're stopped?), but they scare and confuse me. I understand how manuals work, vaguely, but I never built an automatic gearbox from lego...

See, people who learn it first, swear by it. It's just a curveball if you're used to driving automatic.
Well, I'm learning and I don't find it a problem at all.

I'm finding I'm going to be a bad driver for the rest of my life and have enough issues without worrying about changing gears. Simply remembering checking my mirrors before changing lanes is difficult enough. :(

I was forced to learn to drive a standard (manual transmission) before my parents would let me drive an automatic. I hate it, really hate it, but it's not hard.....although I didn't do the big rig thing which is way more stuff involved than the big old rusty Dodge pickup I learned on (which btw was a pain in the ass to parallel park, half because of the size and the other half because of the complete lack of power steering.....I kept trying to explain that at 4ft10 and 90 pounds I couldn't do it, but dad didn't take those excuses too well)

right now I drive an automatic transmission and it's a luxury, my husband drives a manual transmission and that's a luxury to him, he loves being able to downshift.....:confused: I think it's a boy thing.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I did drive a school bus for a while, and that was a pain in the butt too.

You're a truck driver? Damn, only a matter of time before you start whining about us bastard dispatchers. Though a mere five ton truck barely counts.


Hold please!

Enjoying the hold music?

Actually, I was a dispatcher for three years. I owned my own business. I don't really intend to be a truck driver, the company I work for is paying to upgrade as part of the condition of me working there. I work in their warehouse, and the idea is that I'll be able to help out in larger volume periods. I just figured I can't turn down the offer, espescially since it's an indispensible asset in Operations.

I drive a standard Harley.

old rusty Dodge pickup I learned on (which btw was a pain in the ass to parallel park, half because of the size and the other half because of the complete lack of power steering.....I kept trying to explain that at 4ft10 and 90 pounds I couldn't do it, but dad didn't take those excuses too well)

Hell, I can parallel park my VW Bus that I can't see out of, I'm sitting on the front wheels, not only doesn't have power steering but the steering it does have is shady at best...



...alright, that doesn't add anything...just bragging...

Actually, it's not the size of the truck that I find hard to work with, it's driving with a standard transmission that's throwing me off. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 26, and then it was automatic transmission.

They let you drive a manual when you only have a license for automatic?

See, people who learn it first, swear by it. It's just a curveball if you're used to driving automatic.

after years of driving a standard when I finally got an automatic, that was an adjustment, I kept stamping the floor looking for the clutch..oh, and the shifter in the steering column threw me off for a bit too, I kept reaching down to shift at stoplights, couldn't find my gearshift, couldn't find the clutch.....not fun, but hilarious for hubby.

They let you drive a manual when you only have a license for automatic?

One of my friends has a US licence, and apparently it doesn't work like that there.

Edit: By which I mean "yes".
Re-edit: and I forgot that Mikesburg was Canadian, too. I should stop posting tonight, it's just not working.

They let you drive a manual when you only have a license for automatic?

There is no seperate license for manual in Ontario.

They let you drive a manual when you only have a license for automatic?

US licenses, atleast Indiana ones don't differentiate between standard and automatic. You're legal for either if you have a license.

My license just says I need glasses or contacts. While I did pass the vision test without my glasses once.

Just took a lot of squinting.

Hell, I can parallel park my VW Bus that I can't see out of, I'm sitting on the front wheels, not only doesn't have power steering but the steering it does have is shady at best...



...alright, that doesn't add anything...just bragging...
yes, but you are not 14, extremely short and frail and a girl are you?

I can parallel park a Dodge with no power steering now, couldn't then.

They let you drive a manual when you only have a license for automatic?

in my state (I assume all over the US) a class D license is a class D license, which is any combo of vehicles except commercial trucks (like semi's and buses) and motorcycles. I had a CDL for a while that let me drive a school bus.

after years of driving a standard when I finally got an automatic, that was an adjustment, I kept stamping the floor looking for the clutch..oh, and the shifter in the steering column threw me off for a bit too, I kept reaching down to shift at stoplights, couldn't find my gearshift, couldn't find the clutch.....not fun, but hilarious for hubby.

Actually, after I stepped out of the truck, driving it for 2 hours, and then back in to my personal vehicle... it felt weird. I felt like I should be doing something more than just driving or braking. I was instinctively wondering if I should have my foot on the non-existant clutch.

I'm supposed to have all this mastered by May 10th. The instructors are pretty good, but I only actually have 5 classes with them. Thankfully, there are a few vehicles at work I can play around with in the meantime... provided I'm not too busy.

I drive automatic. I can't imagine driving manual, that's way too much work for me.

in my state (I assume all over the US) a class D license is a class D license, which is any combo of vehicles except commercial trucks (like semi's and buses) and motorcycles. I had a CDL for a while that let me drive a school bus.

That's kind of funny... a D license is what I'm going for. A 'D' is a CDL registered for vehicles of a weight class that is usually held by straight trucks between 24' and 26'. You also require your 'Z' endorsement, which is your air brakes, before you can drive any D class vehicle with air brakes (which is most.)

The standard license in Ontario is the 'G'.

A Bus.... is 'B' I believe. Tractor-Tralier is 'A'.

I drive automatic. I can't imagine driving manual, that's way too much work for me.

If you're doing mostly city driving, it would be a lot of extra work. Just a whole new set of things to keep track of when people and vehicles are darting out in front of you all the time.

I drive automatic. I can't imagine driving manual, that's way too much work for me.

I haven't passed my test yet, but manual isn't too bad. The gears help me control my speed - I won't go too fast in a low gear or too slow in a high gear because the car won't sounds and/or feel right.

See, people who learn it first, swear by it. It's just a curveball if you're used to driving automatic.

I didn't learn a manual first, but it was damn near simultaneous. I was driving a stick within six months of getting my learner's permit lo those many years ago, and if I have an option, I drive them exclusively. I, like most others who drive them, like the control. I feel like I'm driving as opposed to just steering.

That's kind of funny... a D license is what I'm going for. A 'D' is a CDL registered for vehicles of a weight class that is usually held by straight trucks between 24' and 26'. You also require your 'Z' endorsement, which is your air brakes, before you can drive any D class vehicle with air brakes (which is most.)

The standard license in Ontario is the 'G'.

A Bus.... is 'B' I believe. Tractor-Tralier is 'A'.

I don't think you need a special license for straight trucks here, atleast not under a certain weight. I think the limit is 10 tons, but I'm not sure. I've considered getting a CDL, but frankly can't be bothered.

I drive a manual, and wouldn't particularly want an auto. I'd find it boring, and I'd worry about the lack of control over the car. I'm also concerned that you have to do so little to drive them, that your mind will wander so you don't fully pay attention to what's going on.

In one car I had a look at when I was searching for my new one it took me about 30 seconds of confusion before I realised that the reason I couldn't find the clutch pedal was because it was an auto. :p

i learned on manual transmission cars. when i drive automatics now i feel really unsafe and not in control, especially approaching a junction going downhill or down a muddy hillside without the benefit of gear braking. largest vehicle i've driven is one of these (http://farm1.dealernet.com.au/stock/7DDE22B985624825B078E6F83EE04B06?c=61020001) on raised suspension and chunky tires for off-road tours, i'll never understand why that thing was an auto.

If you're doing mostly city driving, it would be a lot of extra work. Just a whole new set of things to keep track of when people and vehicles are darting out in front of you all the time.Exactly.

I haven't passed my test yet, but manual isn't too bad. The gears help me control my speed - I won't go too fast in a low gear or too slow in a high gear because the car won't sounds and/or feel right.The brake pedal helps me control my speed. ;) Oh, and the cars/traffic lights/stop signs in front of me.

largest vehicle i've driven is one of these (http://farm1.dealernet.com.au/stock/7DDE22B985624825B078E6F83EE04B06?c=61020001)

That looks like a version of the Nissan thingymejig, that people carrier (van, if you feel less charitable) with the 0-60 time of around 28 seconds.

I don't even have my learner's permit yet :(, and I only know how to drive an automatic.

I don't think you need a special license for straight trucks here, atleast not under a certain weight. I think the limit is 10 tons, but I'm not sure. I've considered getting a CDL, but frankly can't be bothered.

It's probably similar to ours... there's a lot of harmonization between the US and Canada on transportation issues. My small fleet only had one vehicle that required a D license. The other straights were 24', and didn't haul enough weight to put a driver beyond what a G license will accomodate. (We were hauling household goods, which is light compared to must industrial freight.)

This is why most people can go to a U-Haul or Ryder Truck Rental and rent a 24' truck. Those rental places still have to have a CVOR though, regardless of the renter's license.

I don't even have my learner's permit yet :(, and I only know how to drive an automatic.

That's really the way things are going. Even half of our commercial trucks have automatic transmissions now. Technically, I could take an automatic transmission truck to the test centre and get my license, but then I'd never feel comfortable driving half of the fleet.

That looks like a version of the Nissan thingymejig, that people carrier (van, if you feel less charitable) with the 0-60 time of around 28 seconds.

it's a mitsubishi. and no they're not fast but they are heavy and tall and very ungainly, really should not be automatic imo.

I don't even have my learner's permit yet :(, and I only know how to drive an automatic.

make your parents teach you to drive a manual transmission, everyone (IMO) should know how, especially the ladies. ;)

also, make them teach you to change a flat, and then practice until you get really fast at it. very important before you start driving alone.

make your parents teach you to drive a manual transmission, everyone (IMO) should know how, especially the ladies. ;)

also, make them teach you to change a flat, and then practice until you get really fast at it. very important before you start driving alone.

That's actually good advice for anyone. The more you learn about some basic mechanical stuff, the less likely you are to be taken in by mechanics.

Evil, evil mechanics. :mad:

Exactly.

The brake pedal helps me control my speed. ;)
That lets you alter your speed. It doesn't give you any feedback.

Oh, and the cars/traffic lights/stop signs in front of me.
They won't necessarily prevent you from breaking the speed limit though.

That lets you alter your speed. It doesn't give you any feedback.

If your brakes aren't giving you any feedback, you're in trouble. :p

They won't necessarily prevent you from breaking the speed limit though.

Thank God!

Wait, did I type that out loud?

They won't necessarily prevent you from breaking the speed limit though.

If most certainly will if he runs into the back of them.

Driving a manual transmission also gives you a better understanding of both friction and inertia as they apply to your vehicle, so you're better at driving on slippery roads.

I admit I mostly drive automatics, but when I got my license I specifically took my courses driving a manual just so I could learn something (driving an automatic hardly counts as driving).

If I'm towing something, I would definitely rather drive a manual.

But for stop & go traffic, or long highway drives, an automatic just makes life easier.

And the old adage about manuals giving better fuel economy is barely true anymore. It's only true now if you're very good at shifting at the appropriate engine speed.

My dad drives a manual pickup, and he thinks using your clutch when upshifting is cheating.

If your brakes aren't giving you any feedback, you're in trouble. :p

It was perfectly obvious that I meant feedback about speed, not deceleration.

My dad drives a manual pickup, and he thinks using your clutch when upshifting is cheating.

Mechanics love people who think that way. Gives em' extra business.

I drive with manual and certainly wouldn't want to drive automatic, I wouldn't like the lack of control.

I drive with manual and certainly wouldn't want to drive automatic, I wouldn't like the lack of control.

I don't know why people keep going on about automatic having a 'lack of control'. It's not like automatic transmissions are temperamental and like to play crazy games with you. They just shift gears automatically. That's it. I can see liking the 'feeling of control', but driving automatic transmissions aren't going to make you lose control.

also, make them teach you to change a flat, and then practice until you get really fast at it. very important before you start driving alone.I suppose that's a good idea, especially if you live in an area that doesn't have AAA.

That lets you alter your speed. It doesn't give you any feedback.What type of feedback did you have in mind?

They won't necessarily prevent you from breaking the speed limit though.True, though generally speaking, it's acceptable to go faster than the speed limit if you're simply keeping up with the speed of traffic.

I don't know why people keep going on about automatic having a 'lack of control'. It's not like automatic transmissions are temperamental and like to play crazy games with you. They just shift gears automatically. That's it. I can see liking the 'feeling of control', but driving automatic transmissions aren't going to make you lose control.

it's not loss of control as in things going haywire that is the problem, it's the fact that when slowing down the only control you have in an automatic is through the brakes, if anything was to go wrong then you are screwed, engine braking adds another level of control to the experience and also makes for much smoother deceleration.

Automatics and power steering are gross!

Mechanics love people who think that way. Gives em' extra business.

My dad's an engineer. He likes doing gear ratio calculations in his head.

My dad's an engineer. He likes doing gear ratio calculations in his head.

Well, I guess he's an exception to the rule then! :p

I don't know why people keep going on about automatic having a 'lack of control'. It's not like automatic transmissions are temperamental and like to play crazy games with you. They just shift gears automatically. That's it. I can see liking the 'feeling of control', but driving automatic transmissions aren't going to make you lose control.

No engine braking, driving in the gear the car decides, rather than the one you want, creeping when in gear, etc.

I suppose that's a good idea, especially if you live in an area that doesn't have AAA.
the sad fact is that in the time it takes AAA to get to you a woman alone on the side of the road can be in for a lot of trouble. I can change a flat in less than 10 minutes provided I have my hydraulic jack, I can't say that AAA would get there any faster.

it's not loss of control as in things going haywire that is the problem, it's the fact that when slowing down the only control you have in an automatic is through the brakes, if anything was to go wrong then you are screwed, engine braking adds another level of control to the experience and also makes for much smoother deceleration.

Yeah, I never looked at it that way. I guess if you're used to manual, having to rely on your hydraulic brakes alone might freak you out a bit.

Well, I guess he's an exception to the rule then! :p

I didn't say he was always right.

the sad fact is that in the time it takes AAA to get to you a woman alone on the side of the road can be in for a lot of trouble. I can change a flat in less than 10 minutes provided I have my hydraulic jack, I can't say that AAA would get there any faster.Ah, I wasn't thinking of that. The only time I had to use them I was down the street from an AAA office...lol.

Yeah, I never looked at it that way. I guess if you're used to manual, having to rely on your hydraulic brakes alone might freak you out a bit.

any sort of brakes really, i just like to have as much control over the vehicle as possible.

I started driving farm tractors at 8 or 10. Then farm trucks. Didn't drive an automatic until I took Driver's Ed in HS. Didn't buy an automatic until I was a salesman at 25. Wouldn't have a standard in a city, but out in the country they have advantages. Own both now. Forced my kids to learn to drive the manual if they didn't want to ride the bus to school. I think it's a skill all drivers should have just in case of an emergency and that's all that's available.

Kind of crazy going back and forth. Sometimes forget to put the clutch in on the manual and sometimes hit the brake with the left foot in the automatic.

I don't even have my learner's permit yet :(, and I only know how to drive an automatic.

You're so young, and you want your permit, and know how to drive a car..

While I could have had my permit since November of 2005, I'd already have my license.. But here I am, not even knowing how to drive..

That whole "What if I don't go to school in a big city?" is starting to scare me..

You're so young, and you want your permit, and know how to drive a car..

While I could have had my permit since November of 2005, I'd already have my license.. But here I am, not even knowing how to drive..

That whole "What if I don't go to school in a big city?" is starting to scare me..

have you tried to learn yet? i took about 6 months to learn to drive and that was with lessons from my parents every weekend plus over 20 lessons with a professional instructor. it's not a quick process, although some people do learn quick i guess. it can also depend on what car you're learning on too, a large powerful car just makes things difficiult and intimidating, something with not much fizz is much better for a learner. i leaned to drive mostly in an old rover metro with a 1000cc engine, might as well have been rubber-band powered but it was easy to drive. it's just something you've got to really stick at and practice. good idea to get some practice off public roads (like an empty car park) where you won't encounter any traffic as well to gain confidence.

You're so young, and you want your permit, and know how to drive a car..

While I could have had my permit since November of 2005, I'd already have my license.. But here I am, not even knowing how to drive..

That whole "What if I don't go to school in a big city?" is starting to scare me..

You know what, even though it's becoming more and more common to get your driver's license later in life, I can tell you from personal experience that once you finally get it, you wonder why you didn't do it in the first place. There are lot's of advantages to having that license, it's better just to get it, even if you don't plan on driving right away.

The Buick has an autoshifter. I'm very familiar with four speeds, Five Speeds, and Three on the Tree, however. :)

I flat-out refuse to drive automatic. Unless there's really no way around it.

The was a 1999 WRX for sale in my price range recently, with decent kilometres and full history. I didn't buy it because it was automatic.

There are lot's of advantages to having that license, it's better just to get it, even if you don't plan on driving right away.

This is very true. I got my licence about two years before I actually got a car. The advantage was that when I did, I had two years of claim free driving when looking for insurance. :p

On a sidenote, anyone else have similar experiences? Anyone else drive truck, or tractor-trailer? People who have always driven standard?

It took me an hour or so to really get the hang of it, when I learned to drive a truck. I hadn't ever driven anything with a manual transmission until that time, so it was a bit odd at first.

My driving school used a couple of old ten-speed Freightliners with about two million miles on them, pulling 48' trailers for practice.. they were ancient as hell, but it worked out okay. :p We'd go out three at a time, drive two hours each, stop for lunch, and head back to the yard, every day for a week, so by that time I had shifting down and was just sort of meandering around the county while everyone else slept.. kinda fun though, in retrospect.