Automatic Or Manual Training. Help Me Decide

I'm a little late to this party, but the advice is sound. I've been looking through job postings and there aren't many, but the ones I do see are probably still looking because they have manuals.

I have been a strong advocate for not getting the auto restriction on your CDL and sometimes criticized for that belief. You do not need restrictions placed on your license that limits what you can drive. Supposed your truck breaks down and you can't drive a rental that has a manual transmission? You lose money and the ability to earn a living. Get all the endorsements you need or want for your CDL-A but leave out the auto restriction.

18 speeds are fun to drive. I drive an 18 speed every time I shift on a hill I say the Marty McFly line "let's see if these b*stares can do 90" even if I'm only going 45

This is my petsonal opinion. If you have the chance to get an unrestricted license do it.

First of all never driving a manual car/pickup is a plus. Very different than a semi transmission.

A CDL is for a long period of time, any one job isn’t. The mega carriers for the most part have gone to auto’s, but they make up about 10% of the total trucks on the road. Many less than mega carriers will have both or manuals. Case in point is OD. They are a large great carrier with mostly manuals.

Working for small carriers isn’t always a bad thing either if it fits what you want out if this industry. Also many carriers of all sizes are keeping assests longer than they once did. This economy is not a good time to be buying new equipment. Prices are still very high, interest rates are continually rising, and rates are consistently falling. Not to mention they are finding trucks built during the height ofvthe pandemic are having many more problems, likely due to lack of employee’s and laxer quality control.

My truck has an 18 spd transmission. I like it, not because I’m old and macho, but because there is no load I can’t do with it, much cheaper to replace than an auto if it breaks, and I can easily control it and not rely on a computer to control it, or push a few buttons to take control over it, if it’s not programmed to refuse the driver from operating it in manual mode.

My opinion is never say never, plan for tomorrow today and don’t put all your eggs in one basket!!

If he has the opportunity to learn on a manual I would take it, I'm not sure how it is but where I live most local jobs and smaller carriers still have manuals. When I left OTR the company I drove for had a mix of manual and autos but required you to road test in a 10 speed before you were hired.

I why would you want a restriction on your CDL? I say get manual test as there are some schools do have both transmissions. As the smaller trucking, construction and specialized carriers still use manuals. And not every small company has bad equipment. Just have to go look at the equipment before working for them. I got started in region small company and they had nothing but manual 9 and 10 speeds. Because the cost savings of manual to automatics repair. The diesel mechanics at the shop could repair the manuals themselves. And the manuals are cheaper then throw away automatics. Best learning curve was when I drove bull rack, grain wagon, and dry van for a small fleet of 7 trucks. 2 Freightliner Classics and 5 Peterbilt 379's. Learned how to keep your truck running and working down the road. Montana mountains where not a problem with a 13 or 18 speed manual transmissions. The owner was good to all his drivers and we worked as good group to help each other out down the road. Best of luck to your son, take care.

He's enrolled and is going with a manual. I may start another thread should it happen but he gets 2 chances to pass his driving test from the school. After that it is thanks for the money and you are on your own. Likely there is someone that he could pay to let him test but I would think the school would have that option. Not sure why they don't.

What is the company? Are they in need of manual qualified drivers? If the manual route doesn’t work out, can he switch to automated?

What is the company? Are they in need of manual qualified drivers? If the manual route doesn’t work out, can he switch to automated?

If I understand your question, he's not with a company. He's paying his way and decided to test on a manual. Yes, he could switch to automatic during training or after 1 test attempt.

The driving school has a 2 test limit even though the state of IL allows more.

Should he fail twice he would have to find someone to pay I assume to use a truck to test with.