Ag Transportation

The Ag Transportation course is open to students with no prior knowledge or experience in the truck driving industry. The Central San Joaquin Valley and Las Vegas are some of the world’s most agriculturally productive regions. The Ag Transportation CDL training at Advanced Career Institute shows appreciation to the agricultural community its campuses are located within. ACI’s Ag Transportation course is one of the few agriculture training programs in the region. Students in this CDL training program will receive instruction on all aspects of truck driving as well as an introduction to the agriculture industry.

The Ag Transportation course provides advanced level training on procedures found in both the truck driving and agriculture industries. Training covers all areas of truck driving, including DMV Permit Preparation, Basic Operations, and Safe Operating Procedures. Students also receive additional instruction on how to transport agriculture products.

This course prepares students to take their written permit & behind-the-wheel exams in order to receive a Class A CDL with Endorsements, with an additional emphasis in the area of agriculture.

Experienced Instructors. Our instructors bring real-world commercial driving experience into the classroom and onto the practice yard. Learn from professionals who have been behind the wheel of the same rigs you’ll operate on the job.

Hands-On, Behind-the-Wheel Training. CDL training isn’t just reading and tests – it’s real practice in a real truck, so you graduate ready to handle pre-trip inspections, backing, coupling, and highway driving with confidence.

Get Job Assistance. After you earn your Class A CDL, our job placement team connects you with regional and national trucking carriers actively hiring ACI graduates.

Nationally accredited. Our CDL training programs are nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and meet all federal requirements, so your training counts when it’s time to get your license.

Admission to the institution is open to all individuals who are past the age of compulsory attendance and provide a U.S. High School Diploma, GED, a recognized state equivalent or pass this institution’s Entrance Examination. For enrollment into the ACI transportation programs, applicants will be required to meet additional criteria (including eyesight, medical history, driving record, and criminal record) to obtain licensure and/or employment which will be evaluated prior to enrollment. All transportation program students are required to disclose their criminal background before enrollment to determine placement potential. Beginning February 7, 2022, students who obtain a Commercial Learners Permit on or after February 7, 2022, must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) to be eligible to take the required skills or knowledge tests at DMV.

Program length. 600 clock hours, a 20 week program.

Class times at the Visalia campus (2026 California School Catalog & Student Handbook, Vol. 26 v1.2 p.84, Program Hours). Daytime 7:00 AM–1:30 PM; afternoon sessions are currently not available.

Start dates. The 2026 academic calendar lists transportation class starts at all campuses on October 26, November 9, November 23, December 7 and December 21, 2026. Class starts & times are subject to change.

Cost of attendance. Tuition is $10,947 and the registration fee is $250, for total charges of $11,197 (2026 California School Catalog & Student Handbook, Vol. 26 v1.2 p.91, Current Fee Schedule). Tuition includes all books, supplies and materials needed for the program. The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) fee is assessed upon enrollment and is included in the charges above.

Program costs for the transportation programs cover all classroom and behind the wheel instruction necessary to take the written & behind the wheel exams at the Department of Motor Vehicles as required for licensure. The Drug Screen, D.O.T. Physical, and Class A permit with endorsements (Airbrakes, Combination Vehicles, Doubles/Triples, Tankers, and Hazardous Materials) are non-refundable charges and are included in the tuition for the program. Any Retest fees are NOT included in the fee schedule; all Retest fees will be the student’s responsibility. Per FMCSA & TSA, fingerprint requirements & charges are mandatory for students seeking a Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) endorsement.

Registration fee. A $250 non-refundable registration fee applies to students who commence class; ACI retains only $100 of it if a student does not commence class.

Financial aid. Advanced Career Institute is approved by the US Department of Education as an institution eligible to participate in the Title IV federal student financial assistance programs. Available aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, private loans, institutional payment plans, VA benefits, WIOA and Department of Rehabilitation funding. Students enrolling in the Ag Transportation program must have a High School Diploma, GED, or a recognized state equivalent to be eligible for any federal financial aid. To be considered for Federal Financial Aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ACI’s federal school code is 042089.

Net Price Calculator. ACI publishes a Net Price Calculator for the Ag Transportation program on its Consumer Information page.

The Ag Transportation program meets the minimum requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and is based on the FMCSA Model Curriculum. Successful completion qualifies graduates for work in entry-level truck driver positions with common carriers, private truck fleets, local, short and long-haul companies.

Trucking graduates can choose from several types of routes: local, regional, dedicated and over-the-road (OTR). Freight specialties like dry van, refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, and HazMat hauling are also available. Trucking companies send recruiters to ACI campuses throughout the year; hiring partners include Knight Transportation, Swift Transportation, Werner Enterprises, Covenant Transport, Northern Refrigerated, and Schneider. Graduates of ACI’s Ag Transportation program can also find work hauling agricultural freight across California’s Central Valley.

School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar years 2023 & 2024 (published December 1, 2025). As filed with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education for this program at the Visalia campus:

On-time completion.

• 2023: 33 of 60 students available for graduation completed on time (55% on-time completion rate)
• 2024: 36 of 46 students available for graduation completed on time (78% on-time completion rate)

Job placement in the field.

• 2023: 43 of 51 graduates available for employment were employed in the field (84% placement rate)
• 2024: 35 of 42 graduates available for employment were employed in the field (83% placement rate)

License examination passage.

• 2023: 49 of 51 graduates passed the first available licensure exam (96% passage rate)
• 2024: 41 of 42 graduates passed the first available licensure exam (98% passage rate)

Hands-On Curriculum & Training. Advanced Career Institute has formulated its curriculum to meet the needs of students who are career-focused. Our hands-on curriculum and training are designed to help students adapt quickly. They experience a smooth transition from study to practical application in their new career.

Class Size. Classes generally range in size. However, ACI monitors enrollment for each class in order to keep class sizes as small as possible.

Short-Term, Accelerated Programs. Our on-going class starts throughout the year, and options for daytime or evening classes, give students flexibility.

Family Atmosphere. At ACI we pride ourselves in our commitment to provide a family atmosphere for people of all walks of life that fosters personal growth, empowerment through knowledge, and an everlasting sense of belonging to each of our campuses.