Manual transmissions
Posted by TheDivineRuffian@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 32 comments
I graduated from school 4 months ago I have my manual restriction because our school manual trucks weren’t operational should I even go back to get my manual restriction off? Most companies are automatics and the company I’m with now there trucks are automatics so I’m wondering would going back to get the restriction off would be a waste of time
Feisty-Tomato8812@reddit
No need for a manual transmission. I’ve been driving 24 years, I haven’t driven a manual transmission in 10 years and at 47 I’ve got moderate to severe osteoarthritis in my left knee combined with bone spurs. My knees are that of a 65 year old. There are plenty of jobs out there that pay well, treat you well and will offer you lifestyle that works for you that require you to not have that restriction. I’ve been local and home daily and the weekends for 18 years now, I make great money, home with my family and kids and enjoy life while doing what I love in driving a truck. Save your knees and don’t worry about a restriction.
East_Indication_7816@reddit
Waste of time. No one should be driving manual trucks anymore as most of the accidents are caused by drivers not knowing how to shift just like the accident in Colorado where the truck sped up down the hill and blasted thru a dozen vehicles . It is also tiring driving a manual especially in traffic. Plus it is safer to have both your hands on the steering wheel all the time. Trucks now have adaptive cruise control.
heavyramp@reddit
I'd add that driving a 10 speed with a dry van/reefer is way different than trying to smoothly shift while hauling a smooth bore tanker in agriculture work. I found that floating the gears is pretty much the standard to keep everything smooth when upshifting. Downshifting I found can be done smoothly just fine with double clutching.
And some farm co ops still have super 10 speeds.
All those LTL and food service companies are all pretty much automatics. Same goes for the billion dollar private fleets that haul their own freight, and use major leasing companies like Penske or Ryder. So we are talking the 100k plus year jobs.
In just 3 or 4 more years, I can't imagine any decent paying trucking job still holding out on the manual, especially if big tech, AI, and driver facing cameras become a thing due to insurance and safety departments.
yak_danielz@reddit
😂 good read.
nekaiser@reddit
Depends on what you plan on doing in the long run. Staying OTR? Don’t bother, most places won’t care. Local? You might want to look into taking the restriction off because a lot of them run manual trucks.
For example, I got my manual license right off the rip because I’m a manual elitist, but it did me little good. The OTR company I’m with only lets two million milers get a manual. I weaseled my way into one for about 7 months, but they sold it and I’m back into a gutless piece of shit Eaton Endurant >:(
leadpoem@reddit
At 2 million miles you'd figure somebody had forgotten how to drive a manual. LOL
nekaiser@reddit
It’s not like it’s terribly hard, just rev match and float.
Used to only be a milly, but they recently upped it because “we take a loss of about $8k when we resell a manual.” I call bullshit. Any O/O worth his weight in shit would be looking for a manual. I’m only company and I’m practically on my hands and knees begging for one anytime I pass through a terminal. Don’t get me wrong, I love my T680, but manual comes first. I’ll take any brand they have as long as it’s got a wiggle stick.
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
And me and as an employer, can’t hardly find anyone to drive a manual I have 15 in my fleet
nekaiser@reddit
I sure wish I had a free manual truck… 🥺👉👈
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
I’m hiring
nekaiser@reddit
I’ll definitely jump ship if you’re a local outfit in the Georgia mountains. Might still, even if you’re OTR, as long as it’s an upward move.
Ok_Application_2292@reddit
Local Atlanta regional
Shoot me a message
No_Ocelot4019@reddit
I was about to jump so fast but Im not moving states lol the ole lady already hates ik trying to move us 3 hours away
Auquaholic@reddit
manual elitist
nekaiser@reddit
Absolutely. My Vulcan and Miata are both elite. A*to POVs are for the weak. I’ll do my damndest to make sure my company truck is elite too, if I can.
Auquaholic@reddit
That's awesome.
VikingLander7@reddit
I’m of the mindset that there should be a no auto restriction on a license. I was never trained on operation of an automatic, so I shouldn’t be allowed to drive one. Manual only!
nekaiser@reddit
Hell yeah, I actually tried that trick when they made me turn in my beloved 10 speed. I told them I don’t know how to drive auto anymore. It didn’t work :(
Crazzie_c@reddit
I’ve got no restrictions. Tested out in a manual from school, and I’ve been driving for 9 months now. All automatics. Started out doing local work and now I’m OTR. I just wanted to get mine just in case I ever do get an opportunity and they only have manuals.
Seebs9@reddit
Your milage may vary. My company hasn’t had a manual truck for years and still won’t hire anyone with the restriction.
Kenworthsteve@reddit
If it's not going to cost you ANYTHING, yes.
But I doubt it will matter much anymore, so many autos out there.
Kkalemauser@reddit
Don’t waste your time.
A lot of LTL companies have autos. The manual trucks my company had were all clapped out.
Rdtisgy1234@reddit
Man I’m glad I sucked it up and did my CDL school in a manual. I absolutely hated it and never touched another manual transmission after school. But it is nice to know that I don’t have that restriction on my license.
Ceepeenc@reddit
Man I miss manual transmissions 😢
Legitimate_Sir6904@reddit
I trained in a manual and haven’t used one since. Doesn’t the restriction go away after a few years anyway?
IronAnt762@reddit
Yes; go back and get it.
Physics-Pool@reddit
There is almost zero point in going through the effort to get it removed. I don't have the restriction...I've been driving 5 years. At my first company I had to beg for a manual truck (wanted it just so I could hone my skills). Only other time since then that I've needed it (but not benefited) was they could put me in the shitty roll off class B truck that is manual.
The only value I see in it in 2026 is having the knowledge and experience of working it...I also own a 96 International 9400 which is obviously manual not having the restriction opens that as an option. But I dont see a financial benefit from it.
Mirindemgainz@reddit
Most good companies test in a manual at least how I landed the gig I’m at now.
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
They still took your money? Didn’t even offer a discount did they?
TheDivineRuffian@reddit (OP)
Well it’s student loans I gotta pay back so it makes me no difference 🤣🤣
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
I just tried getting a guy on here into my car hauling company. Got denied cause of the restriction.
screamingriffin@reddit
I started off with a manual restriction and then when I got a local job all the trucks were manuals. Because it is a small mom and pop company they trained me on a manual and let me test to remove the restriction on one of their trucks.