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(Updated June 24, 2024) Human trafficking has been a hot topic in the news lately, but it’s been a persistent issue for centuries. Even with an unsettling 28 million victims of human trafficking, countless individuals are still blinded to the matter. Unfortunately, truck drivers see it occurring in plain sight. In hopes to build awareness of the ongoing problem with human trafficking, January was named National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. We encourage you to take a look at how you can participate this month.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is the exploitation of human beings through force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or forced labor. The following information is from Women On Guard, dosomething.org and Truckers Against Trafficking.

• Globally, human trafficking brings in $150 billion a year for traffickers.

• The National Human Trafficking Hotline received more calls from California than any other state followed by Texas and Florida.
• 2,692 of those calls made to NHTH were by truck drivers.
• About 50,000 people are trafficked into the US each year, most often from Mexico and the Philippines.
• 1,296 human trafficking victims have been identified by the transportation industry.

Truckers Against Trafficking

Truck drivers have shown they are in business to save lives. Truckers Against Trafficking was established in 2009 to empower the trucking, bus and energy industries to take a public stand against human trafficking. Currently, 1,014,367 truck drivers have completed their Certified Trucker Against Trafficking program. Over the years, TAT has received recognition from the U.S. Congress and the United Nation’s 100 Best Practices list for their dedicated success. Plus, they have partnered with numerous motor carriers, trucking industry associations, government transportation agencies, truck stops, travel plazas and law enforcement.

Hero of the Highway

Millions of truck drivers have become the eyes and ears of our nation’s highways, like Kevin Kimmel. In 2015, Kimmel saved a woman from modern-day slavery. At the time, he was pulling into a truck stop to sleep, and saw a distraught young woman through the darkened window of an RV. He decided things didn’t look right and called local law enforcement. When the police arrived, they found the 20-year-old woman malnourished and frightened. The woman had been kidnapped two weeks prior, and because of Kimmel, she is free.

Drivers Encouraged to Participate in #WearBlueDay

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized on January 11. The Blue Campaign, a public awareness campaign created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, hosts several events and educational activities. One of their largest initiatives is #WearBlueDay. To participate, take a photo of yourself dressed in blue and share your photo on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay. Check out some creative ways to raise awareness or take a look at how other truck drivers have helped combat human trafficking.

3 Ways Truck Drivers Can Make a Difference

1. Get Certified. If you’ve received your CDL training, join Truckers Against Trafficking’s army of transportation professionals working to disrupt human trafficking. The Truckers Against Trafficking test is free for all truck drivers. You can get certified online or see if your organization offers training.
2. Follow your instincts. Call or text the National Human Trafficking Hotline to report a tip if you ever believe you may have information about a trafficking situation.
3. Don’t turn a blind eye. If you witness any suspicious activity notify the truck stop employee or call local law enforcement.

If you are interested in becoming a hero of the highway, learn more about how to become a licensed CDL Truck Driver. America is depending on you!

Updated November 2022 As the labor market tightens, many women are looking to infiltrate male-dominated industries in search of higher and equal pay. According to a Women in Trucking study, the percentage of female drivers in the trucking industry grew from 2019 to 2022. Female professional drivers increased to 13.7%, a three percent increase from 2019. Many are citing competitive pay as their motive for entrance into the industry. Noticing the discrepancy between the amount of male and female truckers, Ellen Voie began the Women In Trucking Association in 2007. She wanted to create a network of female truck drivers and encourage a more diverse representation of women in the profession. While helping the general public better visualize female truck drivers, Voie hopes that other women will be encouraged to get licensed as well. The association continues to raise awareness of specific issues, such as equal pay, to help bring more women to the industry. They also want to focus on the encouragement of more women in executive and managerial positions. If you are a woman 0r know a woman interested in getting started in the trucking industry, here are some facts you can share with them about the opportunities trucking provides:

• Truckers' pay is determined by load, hours, and mileage. Therefore, gender, ethnicity, or age does not affect your earning potential.
• The advancement opportunities for a truck driver are endless, and all depend on your personal hard work.
• With more women grasping at the opportunity for equal pay, we can predict a climbing rate of female employment nationally, which is a small part of acting against female poverty in the United States.
• In addition to pay opportunities, as a trucker, you will get the freedom to travel and see the beautiful country.

Does this sound like an opportunity that fits your interests? Do not wait any longer! Contact us for more information on how to achieve your goals.

October is the favorite month of the year for many people. The leaves begin to change color, the air becomes crisp, and warm drinks, pies, and soups fill kitchens across the U.S. However, for many people October comes with a very different meaning. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the U.S., 1 in 8 women will be de diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, and October can bring back unfortunate memories for many. Therefore, this October let's learn how we can support those around us.

1. Wear Pink - Pink ribbons, pink shirts or even pink hair can help show your support for those both currently battling breast cancer and those who have beat it. You never know who could see your that small ribbon and feel supported.
2. Donate - There are many different organizations that are dedicated to improving the statistics for breast cancer. Even donating $5 this October can truly help the advancement of treatments and supportive services for patients.
3. Exercise for a Cause - Local charities and organizations develop runs and walks to support breast cancer. Chances are your town or city has one already scheduled for October. This is a great way to get the whole family involved. Take a minute to check your city's local event calendar to see if you can participate.
4. Learn and Share - One of the most important ways we can show our support is by learning the statistics related to breast cancer and how it affects those around us. The next step is to share these facts with other friends and family. If we spread the facts, we spread awareness.

Are you ready to show your support? Advanced Career Institute is showing our support too. During the month of October, the Bither Family will donate $10 for every student who enrolls at Advanced Career Institute. Additionally, if you become a graduate of ACI this month you will receive this free breast cancer awareness hat to show your support on the road. Give us a call today if you are interested in joining our list of graduates and supporting breast cancer at the same time!

Career changes and job advances happen to everyone, no matter what industry you are in. Trucking is no different. Maybe the trucking industry is calling you back home. Even if you've been out of the trucking business for a while, we can help restart your career with a CDL Refresher Course. ACI can update your skills and make sure you are confident enough to get back behind the wheel.  Check out the reasons you should enroll in a CDL Refresher Course.

Tailored to You

Our CDL Refresher Course can be tailored to fit your individual needs. We understand that everyone may have different skill levels and therefore needs a specific course structure. Our refresher course is 3-weeks long and is behind-the-wheel-only. It is designed for students who already hold a California or Nevada CDL permit but have little to no experience behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

Short Time Commitment

We know that you have already been through extensive training when you first obtained your CDL. Here at ACI, the purpose of our CDL Refresher Course is to help update your knowledge and experience behind the wheel. That is why our course will be a maximum of 3 weeks to get you back on the road.

Location Options

The ACI CDL Refresher Course is available at all five of our locations: Visalia, Fresno, Merced, Bakersfield, and Las Vegas campuses. Therefore, you can find an option that works best for you and your schedule.

Feel Confident

All of our CDL refresher course is designed to help students feel prepared to take the behind-the-wheel CDL exam. There is no shame in asking for a little bit of help. ACI is here to fit your needs and help you fulfill or get back to your career goals. Contact us today to get back behind the wheel in a short amount of time.

It's back to school time for families across the country and it can be back to school for you too! There is no better time to hit the books again. While your kids are trying to move on to the next grade level, you will be moving on to your next career!  At Advanced Career Institute (ACI), you can take the first step to a new career in trucking or welding. Still not sure? Check out our list of great reasons to start your training today!

• Short Training Time - At ACI, our goal is to get you trained and out in the workforce in a time frame that gets you earning the money you deserve quickly. If you go back to school with ACI, you'll be off to the workforce in 4 weeks for trucking and 38 weeks for welding.
• Job Placement- Going back to school can be scary because of the uncertainty of career placement once you graduate. However, ACI takes care of this worry for you! ACI offers job placement assistance that includes helping your job search, practice for interviews, and spruce up your resume.
• Jobs In Demand - Currently, the trucking industry is one of the most in-demand career paths on the market today. This means jobs are just around the corner for you once your training is complete. Additionally, as a new school year starts, opportunities for school bus drivers will also emerge.
• Tuition Assitance Available - If you go back to school with ACI, you have the possibility to be eligible for financial aid assistance. This assistance can help pay for your training and possibly take away the stress of tuition for you and your family.
• Inspire Your Children- Children look up to and admire their parents. If they see mom and dad are working hard in school, it can encourage your children to do their best in school too!  This can turn into wonderful bonding time.

Back to school season is here! Enroll in a trucking or welding course and start on a path to a rewarding career. Giving yourself a great career can help to provide for your family so that they can succeed too. Contact us today to learn how to get started!

During truck driver training, one of the important topics that you’ll learn about is the HOS Rules, or Hours-of-Service regulations. These are rules that every driver must follow once they receive their CDL. These hours of service refer to the duration for which someone can safely drive, the frequency of required breaks, and the structure of those break periods. During your training, you’ll learn not only the details of these rules, but also why they’re so important.

What are the HOS Rules?

The Hour-of-Service rules were created almost 90 years ago by an organization called the Interstate Commerce Commission. Lawmakers developed these rules to create a better work environment for professional truck drivers and others on the road. The goal of the HOS rules was to manage concerns about public safety on the road. Over the years, they’ve evolved into a list of rules for professional truck drivers to work, take breaks, and create a safer behind-the-wheel experience. This includes short-haul exceptions, adverse driving condition exceptions, break requirements, and sleeper berth provisions. Let’s talk about what each of those means.

Short-Haul Exception

The short-haul exception is the radius of nautical miles in which a driver can travel without needing to keep a detailed log. This was put in place to make it easier for drivers who operate within a limited radius, as well as to relieve administrative burden. Scenario Marc works for a local grocery store to deliver goods from a warehouse to the stores nearby. Since the trips are within a 100-mile radius, the driver can return home each night, and they don’t need a detailed logbook for their trips. Due to the short distance, Marc complies with the short-haul exception.

Adverse Driving Conditions Exception

This particular exception refers to instances of unforeseen road hazards or weather conditions. The adverse driving conditions exception gives drivers an additional two hours when they face delays. Whether it’s a summer storm or accumulating snow, drivers have the flexibility to safely reach their destination or stopping point when they’re met with unexpected circumstances. Scenario Maria is hauling produce from Fresno to Nevada. While traveling to her destination, a snowstorm hits Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains, bringing traffic to a stop. Maria would normally run out of driving time; however, the Adverse Driving Conditions Exception gives her an extra two hours to safely reach a rest area during hazardous weather.

Break Requirements

Like with any other career, taking breaks is a requirement to prevent burnout. The break requirements for professional truck drivers state that they need to take at least 30 minutes of downtime after 8 hours of driving. This allows truck drivers a period of time where the driver is on-duty but not driving to qualify as the required break. The flexibility provided by these break requirements allows truck drivers, as well as others on the road, to travel the roads safely. Scenario Victor has been driving for 8 hours, delivering a cargo from Bakersfield to Phoenix, before he pulls into a truck stop. He decides to stretch his legs, grab a meal, and make calls to home during his 30-minute break. This helps Victor prevent fatigue and allows him time to rest before continuing his remaining drive. This break requirement also allows him to remain in compliance with his Hours of Service Rules.

Sleeper Berth Provisions

The sleeper berth, a dedicated sleeping space in the cab of a commercial truck, has been an important addition to the truck driver's amenities over the years. This rule allows drivers to split their off-duty time between the sleeper berth and outside the truck. This is generally split their time by spending 8 hours in the berth and 2 hours outside, or 7 hours in the berth and 3 hours outside. This gives the driver more freedom with their downtime. Scenario Ashley and Johnathon, a married couple who are also team drivers, are moving freight from Florida to Louisiana. During the delivery, Ashley takes the wheel while Johnathon rests in the sleeper berth. This allows them to split their off-duty time – Johnathon can log 7 hours in the sleeper, followed by 3 hours outside of the truck at a rest area. This allows them to flexibly split their time to keep freight moving while they both remain compliant and well-rested.

Why do the HOS Rules Matter to New Truck Drivers?

As mentioned previously in the blog, the HOS rules were built into the truck driving profession to ensure safety. Whether it’s the well-being of the driver or the others on the road, ensuring that there are regulations to make the roads safer is a high priority. Creating these regulations that have drivers taking frequent breaks is a big part of highway safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, strives to eliminate as many fatigue-related accidents as possible, which is why these rules are in place. They were also put in place due to the ever-evolving workplace expectations. The Department of Transportation has worked to ensure that professional truck drivers experience flexibility with their careers. Allowing drivers ample opportunity to take their once-a-week 34-hour break has allowed them to fully reset their schedule. Technological advancements have also impacted the truck driving industry’s regulations. With the adoption of electronic logging devices, or ELDs, drivers were able to automatically track their hours of service. This includes their time driving, ensuring they remain compliant with these regulations. To learn more about ELDs and the rules surrounding them, this FMCSA article can answer your questions. Regulators have expanded truck drivers' flexibility over almost 90 years of evolving rules. Creating regulations to allow for longer breaks, as well as the ability to divide breaks between in-cab and off-duty time, has given truck drivers more freedom. At Advanced Career Institute, we focus on training qualified CDL drivers who are employable and safe. The truck driving industry is a high-demand industry, and these Hours of Service rules have become part of the job over the years. If you think that the life of a truck driver is for you, let us help you take the first step!