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PrintLiving It Up: Driving A Big Rig 18 Wheeler
You might want to check your rearview mirror. Tonight, Living It Up is living in the fast lane. Jackie Johnson has made the switch from weathercaster to road warrior. She's sitting in the driver seat of a big rig 18 wheeler.
(WSVN) -- We are Living It Up with 18 wheels, 10 gears and a whole lot of steel, get ready to join us on the open road as we teach you how to drive a big rig.
Jackie: "And what are the basic things you have to learn before you drive one of these things?"
Albert: "All drivers before they learn how to drive have to take and pass a written exam,
Most of our students that don't have any knowledge with tractor trailers or heavy equipment take a 160 hour training course."Jackie: "I feel like I'm in school again now."
Jackie: "What's the fun part?"
Albert: "Sitting up inside of the cab, looking out, being on top of all the other cars."
Jackie: "Now why is it different backing up one of these rather than backing up just your car or SUV?"
Albert: "Well unlike a car or an SUV, you've got 2 vehicles that are hooked together here... so the trailer is going to move opposite the tractor in the way it's backing, so it's a little bit unusual for the first time out for a lot of people."
Jackie: "Albert, I've always wanted to drive one of these, let's do it."
Albert: "Foot on the step, there you go, up and perfect."
Jackie: "This is pretty high up."
Albert: "That's why everyone likes driving trucks."
Albert: "You want to check to make sure that it's in neutral, put your hand on the stick."
Albert: "Put your clutch in."
Jackie: "The clutch has been activated."
Albert: "First is going to be all the way to you and back."
Albert: "Now you are in first, you even got to grind your gears."
Albert: "You are going to slowly move your foot off the clutch until the truck begins to move forward."
Albert: "Alright you are driving."
Jackie: "We are driving a big rig."
Jackie: "Alright are we ready to take this on the open road?"
Albert: "Let's hit it."
Jackie: "Hey get out of the way, come on!"
Jackie: "They'll move for this big 18 wheeler right?"
Jackie: "Well it's definitely been a fun ride Living It Up on the open road. If you want more information on trucking and the CDL School, check out the link below. I'm Jackie Johnson and I'm headed out, 7 News."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
:Contact: jjohnson@wsvn.com
CDL SCHOOL
305 638 2200