Help! CDL School Didn't Teach Me To Down Shift

Hello, i need some advice on what i can do about a CDL school i attended that didn't teach me to downshift. I currently completed the training for the school Aug. 6th 2021. Took a road test for a company on Aug. 11th and failed because i could not downshift properly. The school never taught me how to downshift. I called the school that day and they said for insurance purpose i could not get into one of their trucks. I talked to my instructor and he said he will see what he can do. I am planning on going there tomorrow to talk with them. Just wondering is there any action i can take if they wont follow up with teaching me the proper steps to downshift. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Unless you signed a contract that they would teach you to downshift, I don't think there is anything you could do.

Your's is another example of why we recommend Paid CDL Training. Why pay for something you can get for free?

How did you pass the state road test without downshifting?

Did they really not teach you at all? Because I echo Banks question, how did you pass your exam with out being able to down shift?

Unfortunately shifting is difficult to teach over the internet, it's something you kinda have to do. Maybe the wise Errol can offer some tips since he is a instructor.

My advise would be to start slowing down till you hear the engine start to "chug", shift to neutral, bump throttle put in next lower gear, and repeat.

Unfortunately it will be difficult to do without practice.

Bobcat_Bob suggests:

Maybe the wise* Errol can offer some tips since he is a instructor.

These days all the fleet companies are switching to auto-shift. No need to double clutch.

My "wiseness" says test in an auto-shift so you don't need to worry, and you should get that CDL. True, you'll have an "auto only" restriction, but trust me, that don't amount to a hill of beans anymore.

*Ha!

I agree with Errol. Just go apply somewhere else. You honestly need to start your career at a major carrier and run OTR for a while. It is the best way to get yourself established at this. They are all going to be using auto-shift transmissions. I am sure you are trying to get something local or LTL. otherwise you wouldn't be road tested in a manual. The school took your money and got you a CDL. That was all they offered. They are not going to take you back and teach you more.

This is your first post here. Have you been reading here before? Why did you choose the path you did? I am sorry, but we see stuff like this so often. We try so hard to show people the safest path, the "best practices." It is always disturbing to see people in your situation. You laid out good money and you thought opportunity was wide open. Unfortunately you were unaware of the details. And you have limited yourself greatly.

Your question to us was...

i need some advice on what i can do about a CDL school i attended that didn't teach me to downshift.

The answer is nothing. There is nothing you can do about that school. Why did you choose them? Was it because it was the cheapest?

Your question should be, "I've got a fresh CDL, no experience, and no skill or knowledge. How is the best way for me to start a trucking career?"

If all you want to know is what you can do about the school, we can't help you. If you want to become a truck driver, we can help with that. Our advice may not be what you want to hear, but it will be solid and it will set you in the right direction.

Did they really not teach you at all? Because I echo Banks question, how did you pass your exam with out being able to down shift?

Unfortunately shifting is difficult to teach over the internet, it's something you kinda have to do. Maybe the wise Errol can offer some tips since he is a instructor.

My advise would be to start slowing down till you hear the engine start to "chug", shift to neutral, bump throttle put in next lower gear, and repeat.

Unfortunately it will be difficult to do without practice.

They really don't teach the students how to downshift. I passed by pure luck i guess, never needed to on my road test because every light turned red for me and i just stopped and reset.

Just came back from going up there and they let me practice for 3hrs which was cool. I did 7th to 6th to 5th to 4th to 3rd. Makes me wonder why they didn't just do that from day one. Oh well its in the past now, i have my class A CDL and looking for a job now. Your advice was spot on. After a while i could hear the truck chug and did exactly what you mentioned. Thank you

That's great to hear! I'm really glad they took some extra time to help you. I am surprised, but glad.

I passed by pure luck i guess, never needed to on my road test because every light turned red for me and i just stopped and reset.

I've never heard of that. You can't just clutch and stop at red lights and pass. If that were the case, there would be no automatic restrictions.

I agree with Errol. Just go apply somewhere else. You honestly need to start your career at a major carrier and run OTR for a while. It is the best way to get yourself established at this. They are all going to be using auto-shift transmissions. I am sure you are trying to get something local or LTL. otherwise you wouldn't be road tested in a manual. The school took your money and got you a CDL. That was all they offered.

Im understanding now from the research I've done that for fresh grads the best option is OTR, im fine with that i think. Not pressed on being local but that would help seeing i have a dog and a cat at home.

This is your first post here. Have you been reading here before? Why did you choose the path you did? I am sorry, but we see stuff like this so often. We try so hard to show people the safest path, the "best practices." It is always disturbing to see people in your situation. You laid out good money and you thought opportunity was wide open. Unfortunately you were unaware of the details. And you have limited yourself greatly.

I haven't been reading here for a while. Maybe a week, i chose this path because i have always been interested in trucking. Had a landscaping business for 12yrs that didnt work out so now its on to this. The school was the cheapest and that should have been my first red flag, reviews were good though. But it all worked out today i went up there and they let me practice with my instructor for 3hrs. Just posted ahead of time to see what i could have done if they told me to kick rocks. Thank you for your response!