Class A Manual CDL Graduate: Leroy Rogers

From Dumpster Trucks to Class A CDL Driving

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When Leroy graduated from the Class A Manual CDL program at New Sound CDL School, we asked him to look back on his experience and share what brought him here, what helped him during training, and what he would tell someone who is thinking about getting their CDL.

Leroy, who lives nearby in Tacoma, came to New Sound CDL with some driving experience already under his belt. Before starting the program, he had worked as a driver operating a roll-off dumpster truck, so he understood what it meant to work around heavy equipment and take responsibility on the job. But he also knew he wanted to keep growing. For him, earning a Class A CDL was a way to take on a new challenge, build on the skills he already had, and open the door to more opportunities in the trucking industry.

“I chose the Class A program for a chance to take on new challenges,” Leroy said. “It offers more opportunities to develop professionally.”

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Why Leroy Chose a Class A CDL Career Path

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Leroy was drawn to commercial driving because he saw that it’s a practical career path with real long-term potential. He liked that CDL training could lead to steady work, better income, good benefits, and a more promising path toward retirement. Just as importantly, it gave him a way to use the kind of hands-on skills he already enjoyed at his current job.

When he chose New Sound CDL School, he was looking for a program that could help him move toward that next step. He saw that enrolling in a CDL school was better for him rather than spending four years in college, and he wanted professional training that would prepare him well for driving these large trucks on the road.

Like many students, he had questions before starting. He wanted to know what to expect, how to prepare for the CDL test, and what the important dos and don’ts would be throughout the process. Those are typical questions that we get a lot here, and we’re always happy to help answer for anybody interested. Even with Leroy’s previous experience, moving into Class A training brings him tons of new skills, new expectations, and new challenges.

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His First Day at New Sound CDL School

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On his first day at New Sound CDL, Leroy said he was impressed by the class environment. He described the school as friendly, relaxed, and comfortable, which helped him quickly settle in and focus on learning. That kind of atmosphere matters during CDL training because students are taking in a lot at once. They’re learning inspection procedures, safety habits, backing maneuvers, classroom material, and test preparation, all while building confidence around large commercial vehicles. It can be intimidating, especially when you walk up to one of these trucks and see how big they are in person. Yet our instructors do an excellent job of showing that it’s just like any other skill, that once you learn it then it’ll become like muscle memory. 

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Instructor Support That Built Confidence

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For Leroy, our instructors really did play a big role in that process. He said they helped him feel confident, safe, and prepared. What stood out most was that they were not only teaching students how to pass the CDL test. They were helping students understand the habits and mindset needed to become capable, responsible drivers who can easily go out on the road on their own.

That made a difference for him. Passing the test is important, but experience is about more than checking boxes. It’s about learning how to inspect the truck, understand what to look for, ask the right questions, and keep practicing if a skill isn’t coming easily right away.

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Pre-Trip Inspection Training and Learning With Other Students

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One of the most helpful parts of the program for Leroy was pre-trip inspection training. He learned how to inspect the truck and trailer, identify safety defects, and memorize the steps needed for the CDL test. He also told us that he appreciated the way students worked together toward the same goal. CDL training can be challenging, but working alongside others who are learning the same skills makes the process more manageable and motivating. We’ve seen students banding together in every class we hold, helping each other out with tips and strategies in learning and growing. We’re all in this together!

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The Challenge of Backing and Range Training

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The most challenging part for Leroy was backing and range training, especially straight-line backing and offset backing. Those are terms that you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Backing a truck takes patience, timing, setup, and a lot of repetition, which we’re happy to provide time for on our private, secure practice lot. Small adjustments can make a big difference, and it can be frustrating until the movements start to feel more natural.

Leroy’s advice is to keep practicing and not get discouraged too early.

“Backing maneuvers can feel frustrating at first, but repetition builds muscle memory,” he said.

That was one of the biggest lessons he wanted future students to understand. CDL training is not something most people master on the first try. Students need to study the pre-trip inspection early, be ready to repeat the same skills again and again, and ask questions during range training instead of trying to figure everything out alone. In Leroy’s words, small corrections in steering or setup can make a huge difference.

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Looking for Driving Work After Graduation

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As a recent graduate from our Class A Manual program, Leroy is looking for driving work that can help him move forward financially and professionally. He hopes this new career path will help make bigger goals possible for himself and his family.

When asked what he would tell someone who is thinking about getting their CDL but feels nervous or unsure, Leroy kept it simple:

“Pursue what’s in your heart and don’t let doubt or fear hinder your growth.”

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Advice for Future CDL Students

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Leroy said he would definitely recommend New Sound CDL School to other students, especially those who are looking for an opportunity to put themselves in a better position financially. His experience shows that CDL training takes work, but students do not have to walk through the process alone. With the right instruction, steady practice, and a willingness to keep learning, it’s definitely possible to build confidence one step at a time. After all, every truck you see out on the road is driven by someone who was a beginner once and went through training as well! 

For students in Tacoma, Fife, Pierce County, and nearby towns who are considering CDL training, Leroy’s story is a helpful look at what the process can be like. There may be nerves at the beginning, and there will likely be challenges along the way, but those challenges are part of learning the trade and preparing for the next step and providing a better future for you and your loved ones.

New Sound CDL School offers Class A Manual, Class A Automatic, and Class B CDL training in Fife, WA for students who are ready to start working toward a commercial driving career. Call us today with any questions, we’re glad to help! 

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