Getting a Commercial Driver’s License is a major step toward a new career, but for many students, the journey can feel intimidating at first.
Between studying for the permit, learning pre-trip inspections, practicing shifting, and building confidence behind the wheel, CDL training takes focus, patience, and the right support system.
In Real CDL Journeys — Part One, Alejandra “Ale” Bishop, Program Supervisor at CNS Driver Training Center, shares her own experience going through CDL training. Her story gives future students an honest look at what the process is really like and why having experienced instructors by your side makes such a difference.
“Hi, I’m Alejandra Bishop,” Ale says. “I’m the program supervisor here at CNS Driver Training Center, and this is my CDL journey.”
Starting With the CDL Permit
Like many students, Ale quickly learned that preparing for the CDL permit test takes commitment. The permit prep class covers a lot of important information in a short amount of time, and it can feel overwhelming.
“I’m going to be very honest,” Ale says. “The permit prep class is a lot. It’s a lot of information.”
Ale admits that she struggled at first. After failing multiple times, she had a moment where she questioned whether she wanted to continue. But instead of giving up, she changed her approach. She started using the study guide more intentionally, taking practice tests, and breaking the material into smaller sections.
“I needed to do it by segments,” she says. “I needed to stop, focus on one thing, and then continue with the next thing.”
That experience helped her better understand what many CNS CDL school students go through when preparing for their permit.
“For students that have been struggling getting their permit, now I understand them,” Ale says. “It’s just a lot of mindset, focusing, and getting it right.”
For anyone working toward their CDL permit, her advice is simple: take it one step at a time. Focus on one section, study it carefully, and then move on to the next. Success comes from mindset, preparation, and staying committed to the process.
Learning in the Simulator
Before getting on the road, Ale spent time in simulator sessions, where she practiced shifting up, shifting down, and getting comfortable with the movements required to operate a commercial truck.
Jolyn Graham, one of the instructors at CNS Driver Training Center, said Ale made strong progress during those early sessions.
“She did really great with the simulator,” Jolyn says. “We got her shifting up, shifting down, and shifting through the gears.”
For new students, shifting a non-synchronized transmission can be one of the first major challenges. Even students who have driven a regular manual vehicle often need time to adjust to rev matching, RPMs, and downshifting in a truck.
“When it comes to technique, she was spot on,” Jolyn says. “She learned really fast, which was really great, and I think that boosted her confidence.”
With the guidance of her instructors, Ale began building confidence. The simulator gave her a safe environment to practice before stepping into the truck and applying those skills on the road.
Facing the Pre-Trip Inspection
One of the biggest challenges for many CDL students is the pre-trip inspection.
It is not just about knowing the parts of the truck. Students also have to explain what they are inspecting, why it matters, and how they know each part is safe and working properly.
Jolyn says this is one of the most common issues new students have.
“Pre-trip is where most students tend to struggle,” Jolyn says. “It’s verbalizing something that is typically visual.”
For Ale, this part of training felt especially difficult. English is her second language, and she had to learn truck parts and mechanical terms in English, many of which she did not even know in Spanish. On top of that, a truck engine is much different from the engine in a regular car.
“It’s been very difficult for me with English as a second language and me as a woman,” Ale says. “I don’t know certain parts of the engine in Spanish, and now I have to learn them in English.”
But that is exactly why instructor support is so important.
At CNS Driver Training Center, instructors understand that students may feel nervous, especially when learning something completely new. They take time to answer questions, explain the process, and make sure students are comfortable with each step before moving forward.
Jolyn says those nerves are normal.
“That’s the typical fear that I hear from most students,” she says. “I can do basic things in my everyday car, but I don’t know anything about a truck.”
Instead of rushing the process, CNS instructors focus on building student confidence safely.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” Jolyn says. “There’s nothing that I’m going to allow you to do that is going to be dangerous. We’re going to take things slow and make sure that you’re comfortable with everything that you are required to do every step of the way.”
Ale asked questions, practiced the wording, and worked through the pre-trip inspection piece by piece. Over time, those questions helped her develop a deeper understanding of the truck and the inspection process.
“She asked a lot of great questions,” Jolyn says. “All those questions helped her understand what she’s going to be doing, why she’s doing it, and will help boost her confidence when she goes for that final test.”
Getting Behind the Wheel
After practicing the pre-trip inspection, Ale moved into road training. Like many new drivers, she had to adjust to managing several things at once: shifting, watching traffic, reading road signs, listening to instructions, and remembering that she was driving a truck, not a car.
That transition can be overwhelming at first.
“It’s a lot of information, a lot of new things that I don’t really know, and a lot of new things that I have to keep in mind while I’m driving and staying focused on the road,” Ale says.
Ale described moments where she felt nervous, overwhelmed, and inside her own head. Instead of pushing through unsafely, she told her instructor she needed to stop, breathe, and reset.
“I didn’t want to give up,” Ale says. “But I told Jolyn, ‘I need to stop. I need to rest. I’m sweating, I’m nervous, and I’m getting inside my head. I need to stop and breathe for a little bit.’”
That moment is something many CDL students can relate to. Training is not about being perfect on day one. It is about learning how to stay calm, listen, correct mistakes, and keep improving.
Jolyn says the first few sessions can be tough for any student.
“The first few sessions are always exhausting and always overwhelming for anybody starting this,” she says.
With time, practice, and coaching, students begin to shift their mindset from driving a personal vehicle to operating a commercial truck.
“She just needs to focus on switching her mindset to ‘I’m in a truck’ versus ‘I’m in a car,’” Jolyn says.
Building Confidence Through Training
As Ale continued training, she started noticing progress.
She remembered the theory, applied the points of reference, improved her shifting, and celebrated small wins like not missing a gear, not grinding, and not stalling the truck.
“It makes me feel good,” Ale says. “It makes me feel like I’m actually doing things right.”
Those moments matter. CDL training is a process of building skill and confidence one step at a time.
For Ale, the experience also helped her become a better resource for students at CNS Driver Training Center. Because she went through the same challenges, she can now encourage students who feel unsure about the permit test, the pre-trip inspection, or getting behind the wheel.
“When people don’t feel that confidence, I can let them know, ‘Hey, I did it. I did it this way, and it works,’” Ale says.
Her message to future drivers is clear: do not let fear stop you from trying something new.
“It’s just a matter of keeping an open mind and not getting closed-minded about trying new things,” Ale says. “I don’t think there’s anything that could stop you if you really want to pursue this journey.”
Start Your CDL Journey With CNS Driver Training Center
Whether you are brand new to trucking, nervous about the permit test, or unsure if you can handle driving a commercial vehicle, CNS Driver Training Center is here to help you through the process.
Our CDL training program is designed to support students from the classroom to the road. You will receive guidance with permit preparation, hands-on instruction, simulator practice, pre-trip training, and behind-the-wheel experience with instructors who understand the challenges new drivers face.
Ready to get your CDL and start building your future in trucking?
Contact CNS Driver Training Center today to learn more about CDL classes, training options, and how to begin your own CDL journey. Give us a call at 717-496-9145 or email us at support@cnstrains.com.
