How to Drive an Eighteen-Wheeler

So you want to drive the big rigs and hit the open road? First you’ve got to get past the legal requirements and actually learn how to drive one of these large trucks. Driving an 18-wheeler requires hands-on training with the equipment and a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with proper endorsements if you’re planning on hauling specialized freight. The biggest differences between driving a 18-wheeler and any other type of vehicle are the size and the way it maneuvers.

Things You'll Need

• CDL or learner’s permit
• Tractor-trailer combination vehicle

Instructions

1. Learn about the equipment and how to safely operate it prior to trying to drive. There is a lot you’ll need to know about how the tractor and trailer operate that can be taught in classroom work. To drive the truck you will need to conduct a pre-trip inspection, which consists of about 104 items that need to be checked. Some of these items are inspected while the vehicle is running and you’ll need to know how to do so safely.

2. Ensure that the range selector button on the gear shift is in the low-range position; typically this is down. Place the truck into second gear by depressing the clutch and gently pulling the shifter into place. Unlike a manual transmission in a car, a diesel truck does not require the driver to press the accelerator to start the vehicle moving forward unless the truck is stopped on an incline or heavily loaded. When shifting into gear, you may need to butterfly the clutch to get the shifter to go into place smoothly.

3. Increase speed and glance at the tachometer; watch for the gauge to reach between 1,200 to 1,300 rpm and then shift into the next-highest gear. Every truck and transmission is different, and the speed to rpm ratio will differ. As you become more familiar with the specific truck you are driving, you will be better able to gauge when you should shift the gears so that the progression is smooth. Avoid grinding the gears when shifting. It is best to use a double-clutch technique when shifting gear to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the transmission.

4. Making turns in an 18-wheeler requires a lot of space, and the vehicle has much larger blind spots then a car or other smaller vehicle. This is especially true when turning right. Be cautious of car moving into this blind spot and becoming trapped or crushed under your trailer. You will also need to be watchful of the trailer tandems because turning too tightly onto a single-lane road or narrow space can lead to the tires dropping off the shoulder.

5. Shift through the low-range gears, then flip the selector button up and proceed through the high-range gears. Upshifting and downshifting are achieved differently, and you will need to practice to become familiar with the procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the hardest things for new drivers to do is to maintain their lane when driving a big rig. One of the simplest tricks to help is to use the center-mounted hood ornament or pull handle and align it with the white line. Use your side mirrors to help you determine where you are in the lane in relation to the hood ornament. Once you’ve established this, you will be able to use this technique to help you maintain your lane without having to constantly check your passenger-side mirror. Another issue some drivers have with maintaining their lane is when they are meeting oncoming traffic at night. The natural tendency is to look at the headlights of the approaching vehicle; this causes drivers to steer toward these vehicles. Make it a practice to align your truck using the white line and hood ornament technique to avoid a head-on collision.

• Driving an 18-wheeler is challenging and should be attempted only after proper training.

References

• Car and Driver: How to Shift a Semi