By Ashlyn Crocker 

John Johnson of Kinston made sacrifices that very few people would to earn his Commercial Driver’s License from Lenoir Community College, but his determination to achieve his goals overshadowed any fears of failure.

“I had been battling to get into the CDL program for over two years, but with different circumstances like finances and other things that needed to get done, it took a long time for me to get there,” says Johnson. After recovering from an injury that took him out of work for a year, he was ready to face the battle head-on and reach for his goals.

“It was a difficult thing to have to do because you can't work a full-time job and go to school at the same time. For me, I am plan A and plan B. There is no one to fall back on but me.” Johnson made the difficult decision to give up his housing and live at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter in Kinston during his time at LCC. “I knew that I had a choice to make. If I stayed at the shelter, I wouldn't have any rent to pay and I would be able to take the classes to earn my CDL.”

Johnson has spent all sixty-four years of his life in Kinston working various jobs such as painting and selling cars, but his passion to earn his CDL grew with the rising demand for truck drivers. “There are so many businesses that are looking for drivers. The DMV has gotten so involved in what it takes to get CDLs, so it makes it harder for more people to get certified,” he says.

The certification process for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License is not an easy task.  Complete with training, written testing, and skills testing, Johnson knew that this would take a great deal of patience. “The testing was difficult. 275 possible questions could be on our final test. The test itself was 100 questions. I only missed 1 of those questions.”

“The training is crucial to the safety of myself and others on the highway. You are risking someone else’s life with every error that you make,” Johnson says when recounting his training classes. “What LCC did was give me the preparation that I needed to begin this journey, and they did an awesome job at that.”

The staff in LCC’s truck driving program were essential to helping Johnson achieve his goal. He says, “Everyone has bad days and when you are handling a large vehicle, it takes a great deal of patience from the staff and the student. I have to applaud everyone for the part that each of them played in teaching me. It’s an experience I'll never forget.” Johnson is grateful for the invaluable guidance provided by LCC’s staff and faculty including Karen Lombardi, John McKnight, Robert Beeker, Kevin Hall, and Lisa Hightower. 

LCC’s Truck Driving Instructor Karen Lombardi says, “He was dedicated to earning his CDL so that he could make a better life for himself.  He always showed up on time, had a positive attitude no matter the situation he was going through, and would always go above and beyond to help anyone in need.”

John Johnson made sacrifices that few would endure to obtain his CDL. “Some things in life don’t come easy. They come by hardship and a lot of hard work. I had to be dedicated to the goal that I had been aiming to accomplish for some time,” he says. “I would like to thank Greggory Dunk and the Friends of the Homeless-Shelter at 112 North Independence Street who provide temporary housing and essential resources to families and individuals in need.”
For more information on LCC’s Truck Driver Training, please contact Karen Lombardi at (252) 527-6223, ext. 188 or email kmlombardi84@lenoircc.edu.