Hear different views on this, which one would be easier to learn in, ive a job lined up once I get my c+e, which would be driving arctic.
ARTIC MANUAL
oooops sorry you said which one would be easier to learn , not which would be better, that would be the AUTO ,W+D
Without a doubt, it’s easier to learn in w+d. But with a job offer for artic, maybe it makes sense to learn on an artic. I can see both sides and support both equally. This is why we offer the choice of w+d or full size artic.
Pete 
Having only passed my class 2 this week in a MANUAL slap box, i have done neither of them, and should only say the route i think, i will be going, to get to class C+E , but i have thought (a lot) about doing AUTO for C+E.
I have drove most of life in manual, i should maybe learn AUTO, and seems a good time to do it, so many ways to look at it.
think about what your needs are.
Had an assessment at Tockwith last week in their auto artic, though more for my own assessment to see how I felt and its def the way to go in my opinion. I could concentrate on the vehicle rather than gears. Yes in real world I will encounter manual but as I’ve said before and others have I can deal with that easy without clouding my test with them.
I can see auto is going to be the norm going forward and so it should be as it makes driving easier. Cars going that way so why not a truck that generally has a lot more gears.
Personally I’ll opt for auto every time
Ooh the good old days when you had to do the gear change exercise on a gearbox that was like stirring custard and at the same time double declutching!
smokinbarrels:
Ooh the good old days when you had to do the gear change exercise on a gearbox that was like stirring custard and at the same time double declutching!
Sounds like piece of crap I did test in !
That said was brought up on double clutch now get told off for it!
Dads old T reg Bedford flatbed delivering wool didn’t have much choice !
Oh the good old days haha
Like Pete says, if you’re going to be looking for a job driving an artic it makes sense to train on one. Glad to see dcgpx posting on here mentioning us, hope to get a picture of you in front our our new Volvo FH Globetrotter with a pass certificate! Because I can say how amazing we and our trucks are but its best coming from customers, just like the comment that training on anything other than auto is not sensible.
I went bobtail in our other Volvo FH13 Globetrotter home last week, left my pickup at work and must say I love driving a big manual, double de-clutching and popping the revs to downshift gears but if I needed to take a test, give me an auto but only if its modern with low miles as the old ones can be terrible. I’ve only kept one of manual trucks, the others all got sold, its not used for training unless someone wants a ‘play’ in a manual.
Despite what certain trainers may say with sale pitch agendas at hand, most trucks in the workplace ARE NOT automatics. Personal experience forms these opinions. Since passing both class 1&2 in manuals, I’ve not driven an auto - only manuals.
It’s all very well learning in autos, but then when you get landed with a manual, will you be able to deal with it confidently? Some trainers say “have a mess about with the gearbox, you’ll pick it up” <<<< pretty dangerous advice.
Autos may well indeed be nice to drive, and perhaps they are becoming more common, but manuals won’t be obsolete for a good time yet.
I have no axe to grind as we operate both manual and auto and it’s the customer’s choice. BUT, the Iveco salesman did tell me that he hadn’t sold 1 manual in a 12 month period.
Make of that what you will.
Pete
I’ve had my class 1 just over a year now. I did it in a manual W&D because that’s what I’d be driving.
For me, a W&D is easier going forwards, but not so when manoeuvring. It was a 36 tonner. I’d never consider doing CE in one of those 10t W&D units a lot of companies use nowadays. May be easier to pass the test, but it doesn’t adequately prepare you for proper working trucks.
I’d definately recommend you to do your training in something similar to what you will be driving to give you a good feel so you aren’t intimidated when chucked into a full size truck for the first time.
I drive an 8 wheel rigid with tri axle trailer at 61’6" full length which is like a battleship to manoeuvre, and find it almost like a day off when I’m out in the artic; which I find a doddle.
Everyone is different, and most artic drivers would say the W&D is easier, but for me, relevant training far outweighs just passing the test. If I was to be driving an artic all the time, id have done my class 1 in one.