Red Hook program puts New Yorkers on the road to commercial driving careers
The program lasts four weeks: one week in the classroom followed by three weeks of behind-the-wheel instruction.
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For New Yorkers struggling to find steady work, a driver's license could become the first step toward a new career.
Red Hook on the Road, a free training program run by Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, trains unemployed New Yorkers to earn a commercial driver's license, or CDL and prepares them for jobs driving everything from school buses to trucks and Access-A-Ride vehicles.
The program lasts four weeks: one week in the classroom followed by three weeks of behind-the-wheel instruction.
Students learn how to maneuver large vehicles, read maps, drive defensively and safely navigate New York City streets. After completing the training, they take the New York state CDL road test.
For Joachim Vincent Nemorin, who goes by Vinny, getting behind the wheel came after a difficult stretch in his career.
“Subsequent to the pandemic, I found myself underemployed,” Nemorin said.
A friend told him about Red Hook on the Road, and he decided to give it a shot.
Nemorin graduated from the program in May 2025. He said he took his CDL road test in the Bronx after four weeks of training and passed.
But program leaders say earning the license is only part of what Red Hook on the Road offers.
Graduates receive two years of job placement assistance, career counseling and support as they begin working and try to advance in the commercial driving industry.
Program director Vanessa Soto said the license can lead graduates in several directions.
"Some go on to drive school buses or coach buses, while others may find work driving Access-A-Ride vehicles, trucks or eventually pursue other commercial driving opportunities," said Soto.
The program also works with a network of employers to connect qualified graduates with jobs.
For Vinny, that connection brought something he had been missing: stability.
“Being in possession of money, it's very liberating,” Nemorin said. “More importantly, I have a steady job.”
Who can apply?
Red Hook on the Road is free, but applicants must meet the program's eligibility requirements.
The program is designed for unemployed New Yorkers who already have a valid New York state driver's license and want to move into commercial driving.
Driving history is also considered as part of the application process, and applicants should review the program's current requirements before applying.
Training is intensive and requires participants to be available for the full program. Brooklyn Workforce Innovations does not provide stipends, meaning trainees must be able to cover their personal expenses while completing the training and looking for work. Visit https://bwiny.org/red-hook-on-the-road/overview/
