A written essay-style exam is administered to measure the individual's overall knowledge of safe driving practices, including:
Log Books
Hours of Service, current and 2004 updates
Railroad crossings
School zones
Hazmat placards
Accident reporting procedures
Basic factors of speed, space and braking
Vehicle familiarization and pre-trip inspections
Each driver will be required to demonstrate their practical knowledge in doing a pre-trip inspection on a combination oil service unit. The Colorado State CDL License Exam procedure of 108 points will be used as the grading platform.
Backing and maneuvering a combination vehicle in confined areas
Driver will be required to display their ability and skills in backing their
combination tractor-trailer vehicle through a series of cones and obstacles, which will include: 
Straight line back
Serpentine back
Alley dock
Parallel park (sight side and blind side)
Measured right hand turn
Colorado State CDL License Exam procedure will be used as the grading platform
Roadways
Drivers will be required to drive a combination tractor-trailer over a predetermined road course, which will present a series of events to measure the driver's ability to make sound and logical decisions.
Where possible, the road course will include: 
Railroad crossings
Mountain grades
Uphill and downhill take offs
Ramp merges
City traffic
Rural two lane traffic
Unpaved roads
Nighttime driving
Special attention will be given to:
Proper gear selection
Progressive shifting
Proper use of brakes
Proper use of mirrors
Proper use of gauges 
Observation skills
Knowledge of the roadway
Stopping distance
Speed and space management
Attention to detail
Roadway manners and attitude
Hazard awareness
Colorado State CDL License Exam procedure will be used as a grading
Platform for road review
From the seat of a FAAC Model 2000 Simulator utilizing specially created scenarios specific to oil service industry, the driver will display driving skills in the following areas:
Proper gear selections 
Shifting
Progressive shifting
Proper use of clutch
Engine performance
Economy fuel consumption
Braking
Use of engine brakes and transmission retarders
Use of signals
Observation, mirrors, gauges 
Traffic management
Proper selection of lanes
Proper use of lanes
Passing procedures
Emergency responses techniques
Mountain grades
Brake failure
Run-away ramps
Winter and inclement weather
In the virtual world of simulation, drivers will be placed in situations and road conditions with adverse weather (snow, wind, ice and rain). Drivers will experience:
Hydroplaning
Skid control
Speed and space management
Reading the road
Wind gusts
Limited sight
Off-road
Drivers will experience off-paved road driving, including:
Dirt roads
Forest lined roads
Mountains
Switchbacks
Narrow roads
Limited sight distances
Inclement weather conditions will be entered to measure skills in handling a heavy vehicle in off-road, poor weather conditions
Hazard avoidance
Drivers will experience hazards far too dangerous to duplicate in the real world:
Animals 
Pedestrians
Steering tire failure
Brake failure
Head on collisions
Soft shoulders
Sharing the road
Aggressive drivers, road rage situations, road hazards,
evasive driving maneuvers, proper braking, speed and space management decision making skills will be created in simulation scenarios.
High Center Points of Gravity
Scenarios using commercial vehicles with high center points of gravity will be used where applicable to measure the driver's ability and understanding of the importance of speed and space.
Convoys
Drivers will experience truck convoys, paying special attention to following distance, planning the stop, and understanding dangers.
Night Driving
Night driving presents its own set of safety issues. Each driver will
be placed in night driving situations, including inclement weather situations which they could find themselves in.
Those drivers who are not tolerant of simulation will be evaluated in a fleet vehicle under the direction of a Certified Trainer. Situations will be created that can best be used to measure the driver's skills and techniques.
The course will provide accurate and up-to-date knowledge, skills, techniques, and real world tools that every driver can take away with them. Dynamic PowerPoint presentations will bring high definition digital graphics to the course.
Certified Trainers with years of driving experience will conduct the courses using handout materials, self-evaluations, and a final written exam. Student participation will assure that the classes are interactive and engaging. Courses will be well presented, full of information, and delivered in a professional manner.
Upon completion of the evaluation, each driver will spend time with their trainer to review their skills, critique their techniques, and discuss their attitudes towards their profession. Questions will be answered and recommendations posed.
At the conclusion of the course, each student will complete an evaluation that will be used for course improvement. A "Certificate of Completion" will be presented to students satisfactorily completing the course. Grades, performance charts, and recommendations on all participants will be promptly posted on our secure web reporting site at www.ushighwaysafety.com .
Any students who appear to pose a safety risk will be reported immediately to their direct supervisors. Recommendations for assisting the driver will be provided.