From Construction to a CDL Career: Ruperto’s Leap of Faith

Ruperto Gomez Jr, a resident of Des Moines, WA, came to our CDL school and took on our commercial driver's license training not only to find a new job, but also to challenge himself, travel across the country, and build a future for his family.

He’s a construction worker who recently graduated from our Class A Manual CDL program, and he knows that switching careers to a CDL driver’s seat is no small feat. We asked him to share what brought him to our school, what helped him during his training process, and what recommendations he would give to other people who want to get a CDL.

Finding CDL Career Inspiration from Family

Before deciding to pursue his commercial driver's license, Ruperto was working in the construction industry. He mentioned that this job was physically demanding, seasonal, and localized. He found himself chasing an opportunity that’d offer him both financial growth and the chance to see the world.

"My brother got his CDL and I saw that he was making a good living and traveling," he recalled. "I asked myself, why not me?"

For Ruperto, seeing his brother enjoy the freedom of the open road meant that a successful career in trucking was entirely possible. He decided to go for a sustainable lifestyle, where his earning goals match his work potential. So following his brother’s example, Ruperto decided it was time to make a smarter move in his career.

"It was the first one I saw online, and I went with my gut feeling," he said about deciding to go with New Sound CDL School.

Facing the Initial Fears of Semi Trucks

We understand new students feel nervous or anxious on their first day of class. When we asked Ruperto what were his main concerns before starting, he was incredibly honest and said: 

"Getting over the anxiety of driving a big truck."

That’s a big part of CDL training. Driving this giant-sized commercial vehicle with a manual transmission, alongside with the responsibility of operating safely on public roads, can feel so overwhelming at first. But for Ruperto, the fear faded away when he got the right training helping him step-by-step.

"And let me tell you," he shared with a smile, "it's not as scary as it looks."

Ruperto highlighted the knowledgeable instructors who were with him from the beginning, and how they focused entirely on making sure every student felt safe and capable behind the wheel. He said he’d found a well-structured, supportive CDL training which turned intimidation into excitement.

Mastering the Class A Manual CDL Program

At New Sound CDL School, we offer students different paths when earning a Class A license. They can mainly choose between an automatic or a manual transmission. We asked Ruperto why he’d chosen the harder route going for the Class A Manual program, and his answer was simple: "I like to be challenged."

He knew that earning a manual license would provide him with many long-term career advantages. Drivers on an automatic training course get an "automatic restriction" on their CDL, so they’re legally prohibited from driving manual trucks. So, many students, like Ruperto, understand that they should get a manual CDL in Washington and make their licenses have zero restrictions, giving them complete freedom to drive almost anything they want.

Victories and Challenges in the Practice Yard

For Ruperto, the most demanding part of the program was mastering the meticulous pre-trip inspection. This required him to learn about every component of the truck and trailer to prove he could verify whether a vehicle is entirely safe for public roads or not.

"The pre-trip is, to me at least, the hardest part," Ruperto said.

He relied heavily on the patience and dedication of the school's training team to get through his CDL. Ruperto pointed out that our instructors not only understand every student has a different learning pace, but they’ll also patiently stay outside with you, checking the components over and over until you know them like the back of your hand.

"The instructors are great," Ruperto said. "They’re very patient and show that they care and want you to succeed. The support and encouragement from the instructors helped me the most."

This is exactly why our school’s designed for keeping stress low and confidence very high. When Ruperto finally had to take his official CDL test, he felt fully equipped and ready to go. 

The Freedom of the Highway

After graduating and getting his unrestricted Class A CDL, Ruperto got into the job market right away. He’s currently exploring his employment options and deciding which transportation sector fits his lifestyle best. When we asked him about his options, Ruperto mentioned two exciting avenues: 

• Hotshot Trucking: Hauling smaller, time-sensitive freight using pickup trucks and flatbed trailers. It's an excellent option for those who want a mix of independent business operation and regional travel.
• Over-the-Road (OTR): The classic long-haul trucking experience - driving large semi-trucks across multiple states and regions. This option’s perfect for students who want to reach their earning potential while exploring the country.

Ruperto’s Advice to Take the Leap of Faith

Ruperto's journey went from watching his brother succeed to being a fully certified professional truck driver. This is what happens when you decide to invest in a better lifestyle. Ruperto recommended our New Sound CDL School to anyone looking to make a meaningful career change and to those who are sitting on the fence. 

"Take the leap of faith," Ruperto said. "You will fail 100% of the time if you don't try. And if you try, you have a 50-50 chance of succeeding."

He’s a true example that behind every student’s hard work and study sessions, the CDL entire process’s an incredible adventure. 

"It's so much fun and excitement," he went on saying.

Ready to Begin Your Own CDL Journey?

You don't need any driving experience or technical background to build a successful career in the trucking field. Just like Ruperto, all you need is the willingness to learn, the excitement to be challenged, and the right team next to you.

Our New Sound CDL School guides you all throughout the CDL process. Whether you want to drive locally, regionally, or long-haul OTR, contact us now and get a campus tour scheduled.

It’s time you take your own leap of faith!

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