WOODBURY – Students of Nonnewaug High School are being molded by the current unit in ag mechanics, which is CDL (Commercial Drivers License) training and preparation. Students follow teacher Andrew Zielinski as they go through the motions with the pre-trip inspections and air brake test which helps students understand the complexity of the process of getting a CDL. 

Pre-trip inspections are the most memory oriented part of the CDL training; it takes practice and memorization to go through the whole process efficiently. Moving forward in the future in CDL certification, having this knowledge prior to starting permit classes is a huge advantage for the students that have this opportunity as compared to those that are starting with the mandatory classes.

There are 40 hours of required classes for those who have a CDL permit, which is now easier for the students that have already been exposed to the hardest portion of acquiring a CDL. 

The school had two vehicles present that were equipped with air brakes for the students to test on: a bucket truck provided by E.L.M. Tree service and an army truck through a connection of principal Mykal Kuslis. Along with these two vehicles, the school also has two buses on which the students could practice the pre-trip inspections. The air brake portion of the test requires the students to test the condition and strength of the brakes and air system on the vehicle, a very important part of being on the road.

“I wish I had easier access to a dump truck or something that is more applicable for you guys,” teacher Andrew Zielinski said, acknowledging that he wishes the school had access to a construction vehicle, something with which most students in mechanics are familiar.

An on-campus construction vehicle would be the most effective for students to practice on as it would be something they would be driving, at a local level, in this career if they chose to. 

“I think the big thing is bringing in a vehicle that would be something you guys would be driving outside of school,” Zielinski said.

 Even though this could not be accomplished this year, the exposure to this process on any vehicle is an advantage.

“I’m not sure if I will use all of the stuff we learned for my career, but I have taken in all the information about getting a CDL and the pre-trip inspections that now I have something else to fall on,” said senior ag mechanics student Mac Starziski. 

While Starziski may not be going down the path of getting his CDL, it is valuable information that can be used to find a job quite easily, as it is a job in high demand. That is another reason for the importance of knowing this information: The trucking industry will never stop because resources will always need to be transported.