Nervous To Get Back Into Trucks.

I got my cdl in 2018 never used it due to driving record. Record is clean now. Every time I think about going to get my license upgraded back to cdl, I think of how nervous I was in training. Maneuvering a huge tractor trailer through turns and traffic still makes me nervous thinking about it. All that shifting I had to do on the 13 speed. I'd definitely go to an automated manual because they have become very good and I'd like to focus more on the road. Does anyone here ever feel the way I do? What advice do you have? Thanks.

Im in no way trying to dissuade you from pursuing trucking as a lifestyle and career choice, but if you are that nervous in key components of the trucking industry, it would beg the question if its the right path for you? Unless, its just beginning nervousness. I was very nervous when I first got into the truck during school and training, yet I would consider it a normal level of nervousness, which I assume most of us have. As time goes on and you gain experience that nervousness passes. I still have plenty of things that make me nervous but mostly cautious.

I guess its subjective but the question is, would you see that nervousness passing as you develop as a driver?

Jake, you have been asking us this same question for 7 years now. You've asked it repeatedly and you've always been given stellar advice. You even used to bump your posts back up to the top of the list to try and get more responses. Here's your post from 7 years ago...

What do you guys think I should do? I almost feel nervous thinking about getting back into the seat of a big rig again. Having to shift gears properly while handling the rig properly while obeying traffic laws etc. Which is why getting an auto would help. Thanks

That sounds familiar doesn't it?

You've been nervous yet contemplating trucking for seven years. Quit playing around and do something! Maybe trucking isn't for you. That's okay, but you need to move on and either do it or forget about it. You are stuck in a weird position. You need to be real with yourself and make a decision. Quit torturing yourself.

It's simple: Either get into it 100%, or don't do it at all. That's all there is.

As Old School points out, nothing has changed since the first time you asked.

Actually one thing has changed and it's a positive thing. Jake now has a clean driving record. Congratulations Jake!