First day driving.
Posted by Buckwaller@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I got my permit last Thursday. Today was my first time driving. Going forward went to okay but when it came to backing up I told the instructor I had no experience and then got yelled at pretty much the whole time. Any tips?
MssMoodi@reddit
On your down time practice practice practice
Upstairs_Size4757@reddit
If you know there is enough room for the trailer to fit you only need to be able to see one side of the trailer, you will get used to watching the side you can see and know you have clearance. Take all the time you need you will get quicker by being methodical.
bizzywhipped@reddit
Ain’t nothing to it but to do it, over and over again. Didn’t “click” for me until after 5 months solo driving.
RoseKlingel@reddit
Same. Took me 6 months. Some days I'd do okay but others I was terrible.
OP just do your best and be patient. Slide tandems to the back. A trick my trainer didn'y teach me. Way easier to look in one spot instead of 2 (wheel position and back of trailer).
Eventually your trainer may sit back and let you figure it out if the yelling constant commands doesn't work.
TruckerBiscuit@reddit
Correct answer. Once I realized backing wasn't a formula but an active dynamic process --like a dance-- based on several factors like your setup, the yard itself, the spacing of the doors, other trucks &c it all made sense.
OP it's a skill, and like any skill you have to develop it through practice. IMHO it takes about 3y before you'll have all the necessary skills down. Until then take it slow, GOAL, and ask for help or a spot if you're uncertain. The driver of one of the trucks next to you is likely to agree out of self-preservation alone.
Hang in there.
MrFahrenheit99@reddit
Same here. I was able to perform my basic duties as a driver, but definitely wasn’t comfortable until about 5-6 months.
nigel_______@reddit
We must got to the same driving school lol
0100100012635@reddit
Your instructor sounds like a dick.
Take your time, speed will come with practice. I'd say 60% of your problems can be solved by having a good set up. 20% by going slow, and 20% by not oversteering. Don't over think it. Your trailer is going to swing the opposite of wherever you turn the wheel. Go slow and make tiny adjustments until the trailer is going where you want it to. You can get and out look and do as many pull ups as you want in the real world.
Everyone struggles at first, so don't beat yourself up over it. Get out and look, and don't hit shit. You can do it.
Dezzolve@reddit
I’d go even as far as saying 90% of it is based off the set up. After a good set up you’re basically just following the trailer into the hole, making slight adjustments as necessary to keep you on track.
BaseballDue9043@reddit
Setup, setup,setup. And take your time, don't over steer. Don't worry about speed that will come with time and practice. And the biggest one G.O.A.L. get out and look! Tell you instructor to quit being a dick, you can't learn from someone screaming at you.
xxenoscionxx@reddit
Stand up for yourself, don’t let any asshole especially a teacher yell at you. Don’t be rude but lay down a boundary. Humans don’t learn well that way , and you should be spoken to like an adult.
I fucking hate those shit birds. It’s always a pain in the ass and can make for an awkward day or two. In my experience they usually clam up pretty quickly.
EuphoricTruck4007@reddit
It’s all about practice. You’re not going to be an expert on day one. I know I certainly wasn’t. It’s just going to take time and repetition. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. No amount of YouTube videos will help either. You just have to get out there and do it. The key is patience.
CLETrucker@reddit
Don't worry about the instructor. Dudes probably stressed beyond what you can imagine. Just keep trying, try to take advise and learn. You really aren't there to learn how to drive. You are there to pass a test. When you get hired as a student somewhere, that's when you will learn.
Sufficient_Tooth_949@reddit
Did you pay for a private school? If so go talk to admin tell them you want an instructor that doesn't yell or you want a refund, if you paid for a cdl school with your own money you shouldn't have to put up with that
I went through the same thing I just kept my head down but looking back I wish I didnt put up with that
Cfwydirk@reddit
There are YouTube tutorials for help.
stephenforbes@reddit
Backing takes a lot of patience and practice to learn. Go slow and get out and look when in doubt.