Following the Family Route: Driver Drake Coville Is Building His Own Career Behind the Wheel

For as long as he can remember, Drake Coville has had a front-row seat to the waste and recycling industry. Growing up, he watched his father dedicate more than two decades to the profession, gaining an appreciation for the skill, responsibility, and pride that come with the job. Today, Drake is carrying that legacy forward at Casella's Halfmoon Division in New York.

After successfully earning his CDL through Casella's training program, Drake is preparing for an exciting next step: taking ownership of his own route. As he transitions from training to full-time driving, he's building the skills, confidence, and experience needed for a long-term career in an industry that keeps communities running every day.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a driver?

My biggest inspiration was definitely my dad. I grew up watching him drive garbage trucks, so becoming a driver was something I've been interested in for a long time. He's worked in the waste industry for more than 20 years. Seeing his experience and the career he's built made me want to follow a similar path. Getting my CDL felt like the right next step for me.

Tell us about your experience going through CDL training.

Getting behind the wheel was definitely my favorite part. Having that hands-on experience was where everything started to come together for me. It gave me the chance to take what I was learning and actually put it into practice, which made me feel like I was really making progress.

What was one thing you learned during training that left an impression on you?

The pre-trip inspection probably surprised me the most. Going into it, I expected it to be one of the more difficult parts of the training because there's a lot you need to know and pay attention to. Once I started learning the process and practicing it, though, it became much more straightforward than I thought it would be. It's definitely something you have to take seriously and make sure you're doing it correctly, but with practice, you become more comfortable with each step and understand what you're looking for.

How did the training program prepare you for success behind the wheel?

Getting hands-on experience and having instructors who took the time to work with each of us made a big difference. Drew and Bill made sure everyone understood what they were learning and were always willing to answer questions or spend more time on something when we needed it. As I got more time behind the wheel, I became more comfortable with what I was doing and was able to build on what I had learned. Having instructors who were invested in helping each student improve helped me feel more prepared to drive on my own.

As you take the next step in your career, what are some of your top priorities?

Helper safety is a big focus for me, especially because I'll be operating a rear-load truck with two people working on the back. As the driver, I have to be aware of where they are and make sure I'm doing my part to keep everyone around the truck safe. CDL training school gave me a strong foundation in the safety practices that come with operating a truck, and I plan to apply those every day. Staying alert, being aware of my surroundings, and looking out for the people I'm working with are all important parts of keeping everyone safe.

What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter?

I'm really looking forward to having my own route and getting out there on my own. Having that independence, taking on more responsibility, and being able to work at my own pace are all things I'm excited about. As I get more experience, I'd eventually like to come back to CDL school and upgrade my Class B to a Class A license. From there, I'm open to seeing what other opportunities come up and where I can take my career.

What would you say to someone thinking about pursuing their CDL?

I'd say go for it. It's something you can have for the rest of your career, and it can open up a lot of different opportunities. There are so many directions you can go with a CDL, so if it's something you're interested in, I'd definitely recommend getting started. Once you have it, it's another skill and qualification you can take with you wherever your career goes.