Driving an 18 wheel truck is totally different from driving an automobile or a smaller truck.  An 18 wheel truck driver needs specialized training that students can receive at a CDL school. 

Even if you are presently driving a vehicle with 5 or 6 gears, the shifting is totally different on a large truck. 

Gears and shifting:  The average number of gears on a large semi truck is 9-10 and 2 reverse gears.  These trucks can have 9, 10, 13, 15 and 18 gears.   It is very important that prior to shifting these gears, a driver has had trucking training.  You cannot successfully go straight from driving your personal vehicle to driving an 18 wheel truck.

There are certain ways to shift all these gears and experienced truckers use both of them.  The first method is called "double clutching" and this method is approved by the Department of transportation and is the method to be used on the CDL test.   Double clutching involves depressing the clutch and then depressing it again to match the rpm of the motor.  This method would be taught in great CDL training.  The other method of gearing is called "floating".  "Floating" is achieved by not using the clutch at all except for starting or stopping.

All of this information is provided at truck driving school while going through CDL training.  If you would like to get your trucking career started, just complete our online driver application.