The journey to becoming a professional truck driver has begun. Whether you’re a first-time driver or looking for a CDL refresher course, Advanced Career Institute is ready to show each of our students their future in the trucking industry. This guide is to help our students learn more about the programs we offer, how they can pay for it, and steer them toward a successful career.
Looking for a particular resource? Jump ahead!
- CDL Training Programs at ACI
- Financial Aid for CDL and Truck Driver Training
- What to Expect in Truck Driver Training
- Prepare for Your CDL Permit Test
- More CDL Training Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
CDL Training Programs at ACI
Here at Advanced Career Institute, we offer a variety of different CDL classes at different campuses to help incoming students prepare for their new career in the trucking industry. This includes a variety of Class A CDL courses as well as a refresher course for those who have previously received their commercial driver’s license.
Professional Truck Driver Program
Our Professional Truck Driver Program, offered at all 5 of our campuses, is our introductory truck driver training program. This course is designed for students who have no prior experience in the industry and are looking to get their CDL. This training has extensive classroom training and behind-the-wheel practice to prepare you for the exam. This course is 4 weeks long and will total 160 hours of classroom and range training.
Advanced Professional Truck Driver Program
For students who would like more time to build their skills behind the wheel, we offer an Advanced Professional Truck Driver Program. This 6-week course covers the same crucial topics included in our Professional Truck Driver Program but adds more time in the driver’s seat to prepare for the Class A CDL exam.
Ag Transportation
If you’re interested in our Ag Transportation program, offered at both our Visalia and Las Vegas campuses, it is also open to students with no prior experience. This extended course provides advanced training to students on procedures for both the truck driving and agricultural industries. Like with our other truck driver training programs, you’ll be prepared for the operations of truck driving, but also be instructed on how to transport products and equipment in the agricultural industry. For this 20-week course, students will have ample time to become comfortable behind the wheel and transporting specialty agricultural materials.
Commercial Driver 3-Week Program
The Commercial Driver 3-Week Program is an expedited course for students who already have a valid CDL Permit in California or Nevada, and a valid DOT medical card. This course is a behind-the-wheel only program to prepare students for the driving portion of the exam. With only 120 hours needed to complete this course, our staff works quickly to ensure that students are ready to hit the road with confidence as soon as possible.
Financial Aid for CDL and Truck Driver Training
At Advanced Career Institute, we help all our incoming students find ways to pay for the CDL training they need. When our students meet with the Financial Aid Office, the goal is to find the right payment method for them. This could include using any military benefits, government funding, or payment plans.
Many students who walk through the door may qualify for military benefits when they choose to enroll at Advanced Career Institute. Whether they are an active military member, a veteran, or a family member of a military member, they may be eligible for a variety of financial aid programs.
Programs you may qualify for
- Post 9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
- Special Vocational Training (SVT)
- Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program
- Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
- DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) Program
- Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
If you wish to know more about your options, check out our Veterans Assistance page, or connect with our Financial Aid Office.
Another popular financing option is known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA. This grant provides individuals who are looking for training with funding to individuals who want to start a new career so they can succeed in the workforce. WIOA partners with the Department of Labor and other federal partners to help states offer this program for those who need assistance affording their training.
The federal government may also award incoming students grants based on their qualifications. A common grant would be the Federal Pell Grant. This form of financial aid is typically given to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial needs and have not yet earned a degree or certificate. Unlike loans, students do not have to repay Pell Grants.
Financial need is determined by the Department of Education, and qualification is based on a variety of options. This includes your financial need, the cost to attend school, and your status as a student. If you would like to learn more about the Pell Grant and how you can qualify, let our Financial Aid Office help you get started.
If you’re not interested in taking out a loan, or you cannot qualify for grants, Advanced Career Institute also offers payment plans as an alternative. This will break the tuition cost into equal monthly payments. Our Financial Aid office will also be happy to help you set up automated payment plans for your schooling. If you’re interested in setting up monthly payment plans, our Financial Aid Office will work to find the right fit for you!
If you’re interested in other payment options, check out our tuition assistance page for a full list of financial aid opportunities.
What to Expect in Truck Driver Training
At Advanced Career Institute, our courses are designed to combine classroom training and behind-the-wheel practice. Classroom training is built to prepare you for the CDL written exam with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Driving on the range and practicing on the road are also a crucial part of obtaining your CDL.
The first step in each of our courses is to prepare students for their CDL permit test. This takes place during the first week of training, and we prepare our students to obtain their Class A driving permit with all endorsements, except for the hazardous materials endorsement. This endorsement requires that you take an additional Hazmat theory course that is included in the Entry-Level Driver training prior to the exam.
Once a student achieves their permit, we will start entry-level driver training. This includes everything a student can prepare for when getting on the road behind the wheel. From different weather conditions to night operation and space management, our students will learn the proper protocol when handling the truck. Our students also learn the importance of pre-trip inspection and post-trip inspection. During this time, we teach them how to identify parts and inspect their vehicle to ensure safety.
When our students are able to understand their truck inside and out, that’s when we get them driving. Students start training with basic maneuvers such as backing, alley docking, parallel parking, and coupling/uncoupling. Students will also learn basic handling of the truck both on the range and the public roads. This is the longest portion of the training, ensuring that students are safe and comfortable behind the wheel prior to taking their exams.
Prepare for Your CDL Permit Test
The CDL training courses that are offered at Advanced Career Institute are designed to help you prepare for the exams, but attending class is not the only way to prepare. Students must also put forth the effort in preparing for the test. It’s important to study and become proficient in every aspect of truck driving to pass.
It’s important that students don’t simply memorize terms and rules; they need to understand the concepts and feel comfortable in the driver’s seat. It’s also important for students to practice their exam, with several online options like this CDL practice exam for students to take. This will prepare students for the California DMV written tests.
If you’re looking for ways to study outside of the classroom – take a look at this DMV CDL study guide, or this online CDL Test Study Guide.
More CDL Training Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
In this blog, we’ve answered a lot of questions about what to expect as a new CDL student. But what if you have other questions? We’ve created a section of frequently asked questions for incoming students or people just interested in learning more. Our staff is also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to trucking and is ready to answer any questions you may have about education or the trucking industry.
