Drove a tractor and trailer on public roads for the first time today.

Posted by Inevitable-Book8875@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 18 comments

Week 2 of CDL class through a local school to job company.

Got taken out to drive today. It was fun. Insanely stressful at first at interstate speeds until it started feeling right.

I got signed off on pre trip and safe driver today. Didn’t crash. Always a good day when you don’t kill the drivers cutting you off at 70 with no turn signal in Columbus (OH).

Working on my CDL has honestly helped build my confidence in other aspects of my life. I love it out here.

Do I get the lot lizards and Fireball in week 3?

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MemeManThomas@reddit

I still remember my first time going out on the road in school. It was nerve racking, but after a few days and getting to where I wasn’t grinding gears near as often, it got real fun and I didn’t want my turn to end. Still the most fun driving I’ve had

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Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)

I’m just a steering wheel holder :(

This company mainly runs Cascadias and T680s with AMTs. Does that make me half a steering wheel holder since it’s not a true automatic?

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MemeManThomas@reddit

In order to not be considered a steering wheel holder, you must have a gear shifter that is damn near scraping the ceiling. After you’ve sat on this gear shifter for a certain amount of time, you will become a real trucker.

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GlitteringSession115@reddit

I thought you became a real trucker when you throw your first piss jug off an overpass.

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MssMoodi@reddit

Always always pay attention to the butterflies in your stomach.

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GlitteringSession115@reddit

And when in doubt, just slow down. It's not a huge deal. Rather look dumb that be dead.

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GlitteringSession115@reddit

Wait until you go through your first interstate with road work every 40 miles. :) that's where the fun begins. Chicago im talking about chicago.

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Ricemunchr@reddit

lol my first drive out i was like 10 miles under the limit and the instructors kept telling me to gas it and do the posted speed limit. I was like bro im driving a goddamn tank ahaha.

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Inevitable-Book8875@reddit (OP)

I kept getting yelled at to finish the turn and get out of the intersection.

Like sorry, y’all ain’t teach turning and clearing the trailer until we started driving on public roads.

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Jacktheforkie@reddit

You may get cheaper insurance now as you’re a professional driver, I knocked £400 off mine

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Marmatus@reddit

Driving a truck didn’t stop being stressful for me until I was a several months in. lol

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Snappingslapping@reddit

That's awesome that you had a good time! My first time was on my first day of school and was in downtown Miami during a flash flood of a storm. The drivers there are literally insane to the point of passing me making a left at a light ON THE LEFT OF ME!! That means pulling up alongside my 65 foot long semi in the incoming traffics lane to get by me first!! I was like wtf are you seeing this shit?! My instructor said he was impressed with my ability to stay patient until it was safe to turn. I was literally so stressed out I almost quit that day.

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Maleficent_Beyond_95@reddit

It takes until week 2 to get on the road now? I did Schneider school in 2002 in Dallas, and we bobtailed around Dallas on day 3, then went back for a trailer on day 4, and spent all day on loop 12, and played follow the leader on I-35, I-30, I-20 and I-45/Us75. Plus drove around the new (at the time) warehouse all around Lancaster and Wilmer. They kind of used the firehose/sink or swim method at their course.

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