Real-Life Tactical Driving Course
Police officers are required to complete intensive driver training known as EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course). As a certified EVOC instructor, I’ve developed this three-hour course as a modified version of that same professional training—specifically adapted for new and experienced drivers. Conducted in a safe, controlled environment, students will be trained in nine essential driving techniques under the guidance of experienced law enforcement instructors.
To conclude the course, each student will take their instructor on a supervised drive through public roads, where they’ll be introduced to Proactive Tactical Driving. This final segment bridges the gap between training and real-world application, giving students the opportunity to put their newly learned skills into practice. Instructors will guide them through safely approaching intersections using proactive scanning techniques to identify potential hazards. The drive then progresses to the interstate, where students will learn safe merging strategies and how to identify and respond to high-risk situations—such as impaired drivers, unsecured loads, or erratic behavior from other motorists—while maintaining confidence and control at highway speeds.
To ensure our training is as effective and beneficial as possible, all participants must have adequate driving experience. As such, we require students to hold a valid driver’s license before their class date or have 30-40 hours of driving experience.
Upon successful completion of the Real-Life Tactical Driving Course, students will receive a certificate of completion. Many insurance providers offer discounts—typically ranging from 4% to 10%—for defensive driving courses like ours. We encourage you to contact your insurance carrier directly, as discount eligibility and rates vary and cannot be guaranteed by us.
Check Out This Video
Watch as a student gains confidence in our Brake Right, Brake Left exercise while simultaneously braking and making an evasive maneuver. She remains calm and maintains great control of the vehicle. When braking in an emergency, it’s easy to lose control when you make an evasive maneuver.
What They’re Saying
“The instructors were patient, informative, understanding, and encouraging. They explained the reasons behind the exercises, and let the students work at their own paces while still pushing them beyond their comfort zones. My daughter left feeling equipped and prepared for potentially dangerous driving situations in the future. I would highly recommend them.”
“This course was not only educational, it was also enjoyable. I would highly recommend the tactical driving course for anyone who has their license but is a bit uncomfortable in their car still. Personally I feel much more in control after this, from slamming on my brakes to quick lane changes, this course gave me some more confidence to the right thing in a bad scenario.”
“This course was fun, educational, challenging, and useful! The instructors were easy-going and knowledgeable. My daughter loved it!”
“10-81 Driving Academy goes way beyond your typical driving school. Shane and Jackson taught my daughter real world emergency driving skills in a safe, fun environment that not only made her a better driver, but could also save her life. Shane also volunteered to help the students properly parallel park on his own time after the class was over. These guys are the real deal. Highly recommended.”
Our curriculum consists of nine different exercises. Each student will be thoroughly trained in all eight during the course and will be taught how they translate to Real-Life.
Emergency Lane Change
This exercise trains students to quickly and safely steer around sudden obstacles without losing control of the vehicle. These drills build quick reaction skills and improve steering precision. The Emergency Lane Change can prevent accidents by preparing students to avoid hazards like stalled vehicles, debris, or unexpected halts in traffic.
Serpentine
The serpentine is crucial to effectively teach vehicle handling and weight transfer. The student will negotiate a serpentine through a set of cones which develops their abilities for precise steering control, smooth vehicle handling, and better spatial awareness. By weaving through a series of cones, students learn how to make controlled turns and maintain proper speed and awareness. In Real-Life these skills are valuable for maneuvering around unexpected obstacles, tight spaces, or sharp turns safely and confidently, reducing the risk of collisions.
Straight Line Braking
Braking in a straight line is the quickest way to bring your vehicle to a stop. In this exercise, students will rapidly increase in speed while driving at a target. The student will then forcibly apply the brake while keeping the wheel straight. Training in this area will equip the student with the ability to stop safely and effectively without losing control. This exercise will be completed multiple times, starting at 25 mph and increasing to 45 mph. Students will be able to identify the stopping distance based on the speed they are going when they applied the brakes. We will also discuss the importance of the speed limit and how different roads are designed for cars to travel only certain speeds.
Brake Right, Brake Left
As we all know, sometimes braking just isn’t enough. Much like the Straight Line Braking exercise, this one will include rapidly getting up to a high rate of speed, forcibly applying the brake while keeping the wheel straight and making a split-second left or right maneuver based on the instructors last-second “Brake Right, or Brake Left” command. This exercise prepares students for when a vehicle pulls out in front of them while they are proceeding through an intersection with a green light. We will discuss the importance of scanning intersections as you approach them and identifying potential threats.
U-Turn
The U-Turn exercise helps students practice making safe, controlled turns in limited spaces while being aware of their surroundings. This exercise improves judgment of space, steering accuracy, and timing. In Real-Life, a skilled U-turn is useful for avoiding hazards, changing routes safely, and staying calm and in control when needing to reverse direction in traffic or emergency situations.
Threshold Braking
Not every braking emergency requires all of our force applied to the brake. In fact, there are situations where we need to brake quickly, but too quickly would force the vehicle behind you to collide with the rear of your vehicle. Threshold Braking is braking as hard as you can without activating your Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Students will drive at varying rates of speed into a “chute” and will quickly apply their brake while maintaining control over their vehicle. Students will feel the difference in braking with and without their ABS activated.
Rear-End Avoidance Maneuver (REAM)
This exercise consists of starting from a stopped position. The instructor will advise the student of a simulated vehicle approaching them from behind at a high rate of speed. Students will then make an abrupt lane change to avoid being struck. This simulates being stopped at a red light with a distracted driver quickly approaching from behind. We will discuss the importance of situational awareness while stopped at an intersection.
Reverse Driving
Students will drive in reverse through different parts of the course. This exercise improves a driver's ability to judge distance, use mirrors effectively, and maintain control while moving in reverse.
Proactive Tactical Driving
To conclude the course, each student will take their instructor on a supervised drive through public roads, where they’ll be introduced to Proactive Tactical Driving. This final segment bridges the gap between training and real-world application, giving students the opportunity to put their newly learned skills into practice. Instructors will guide them through safely approaching intersections using proactive scanning techniques to identify potential hazards. The drive then progresses to the interstate, where students will learn safe merging strategies and how to identify and respond to high-risk situations—such as impaired drivers, unsecured loads, or erratic behavior from other motorists—while maintaining confidence and control at highway speeds.
In addition to the nine exercises, students receive real, practical training in the following areas:
Vehicle dynamics and weight transfer
Vehicle handling
Split-second decision making
Confidence
Managing stress while driving
Avoiding tunnel vision
Navigating adrenaline and the effects it has on decision making
Space management of your vehicle
Enrollment Information
The enrollment fee for the first student is $250. You may add a second student—such as a parent, sibling, or friend sharing your vehicle—for an additional $100. Both students will receive identical training and equal behind-the-wheel time.
At The 10-81 Driving Academy, we encourage enrolling a second student for several key reasons:
Greater Impact: More individuals receive our high-quality training, contributing to safer roads for everyone.
Enhanced Learning: Observing a peer complete the driving exercises boosts comfort, understanding, and confidence.
Increased Engagement: Timed activities introduced later in the course foster friendly competition, making the experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Please see below for our course schedule:
Due to high demand, we are currently looking to add more class dates before the end of summer. Please email us at 1081academy@gmail.com if you are interested in being notified when the class dates are posted.