The number of gears an 18-wheeler may have is between nine and 18 gears.
The most common set-up for a semi is two reverse gears and ten forward gears, or 12 total. Ultimately, the engine determines the number of gears in the transmission. More gears, or a range of gears and split gears, can help a driver and truck navigate safely with minimal stress on the transmission due to needing higher RPMs.
It’s unusual to find a truck with 18 gears. These are typically used to precisely control power in situations where you’re towing an extremely heavy load through variable terrain. You should receive training in using this complex manual transmission if you choose to pursue a career in trucking.