All Courses Training Packages Enterprise Request a Quote
Industries
Construction Manufacturing Municipal & Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Healthcare Office & Corporate
Course Categories
Safety Training Construction Safety HR Compliance HAZMAT & HAZWOPER Driver & Fleet Safety Workplace Culture & Soft Skills Healthcare & Patient Safety Environmental Compliance
Sign In
1-800-287-5942 Start Today Request a Quote
Create Your Employer Account
Home›Courses›Driver & Fleet Safety›General Safety: Safe Driving Basics

General Safety: Safe Driving Basics

26 minutesEN / ES / MLCCDriver & Fleet SafetyOSHA General Duty Clause; DOT/FMCSA (for commercial vehicles)
Quick Answer

General Safety: Safe Driving Basics is a 26-minute online course that teaches employees foundational safe driving knowledge and defensive driving techniques for everyday road navigation. It is designed for any employee who operates a vehicle for work purposes and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1,937 fatal transportation incidents in 2024, with 1,146 involving motorized land vehicles on roadways. Beyond fatalities, the National Safety Council estimates that motor vehicle crashes cost employers over $72 billion annually in medical expenses, legal costs, property damage, and lost productivity. For any employer whose workers drive - whether in a fleet vehicle or personal car on company business - driver safety training is one of the highest-impact risk reduction investments available.

This course equips your employees with the essential knowledge and techniques for safe road navigation in everyday driving conditions. Your team will learn defensive driving principles including proper scanning techniques, maintaining safe following distances, managing intersections, and anticipating the actions of other drivers. The training also covers distracted driving prevention, vehicle pre-trip inspection basics, and how to make safe decisions in common road situations. This foundational course complements specialized driver training for hazardous weather or commercial vehicle operations.

What You'll Learn

  • Defensive driving principles including scanning, space management, and hazard anticipation
  • Maintaining proper following distance and adjusting for traffic conditions
  • Intersection safety and right-of-way management
  • Distracted driving prevention - managing phones, navigation, and in-vehicle distractions
  • Pre-trip vehicle inspection basics for safe operation
  • Speed management and its effect on stopping distance and crash severity
  • Safe lane-changing, merging, and highway driving techniques

Who Needs This Training

  • Fleet drivers and delivery personnel who operate vehicles daily for work
  • Sales representatives and field technicians who drive to customer locations
  • Any employee who uses a company vehicle or drives a personal vehicle for business
  • New drivers or employees transferring into roles that require regular driving
  • Supervisors and fleet managers who oversee driver safety programs

Regulatory Background

OSHA does not have a specific motor vehicle safety standard for general industry, but the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) requires employers to address recognized hazards - including driving-related risks when employees operate vehicles as part of their duties. The DOT and FMCSA regulate commercial motor vehicle operations under 49 CFR with specific training and licensing requirements. The National Safety Council reports that motor vehicle incidents are the number one cause of work-related fatalities, and employer motor vehicle crash costs exceed $72 billion annually. OSHA has investigated driving-related fatalities under the General Duty Clause, and employers without driver safety programs face increased citation risk. Many insurance carriers also require documented driver safety training as a condition of fleet coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA does not have a specific driver safety training standard for most industries. However, the General Duty Clause requires employers to address recognized hazards, and driving is the leading cause of workplace fatalities. Employers who require employees to drive as part of their job duties and fail to provide training face potential citations under the General Duty Clause. Additionally, DOT/FMCSA regulations require specific training for commercial motor vehicle operators.
No. This is a general safe driving awareness course for all employees who drive for work. It does not satisfy CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training requirements under FMCSA regulations or DOT-mandated training for commercial motor vehicle operators. For employees operating commercial vehicles, employers must provide training that meets the specific DOT/FMCSA requirements applicable to their vehicle class and endorsements.
The most effective approach combines training with a clear written policy. A strong distracted driving policy prohibits all handheld phone use while driving, requires hands-free devices for necessary calls, and addresses other distractions like eating, navigation programming, and in-vehicle conversations. Training reinforces the policy by helping employees understand why distraction is dangerous - at 55 mph, five seconds of distraction covers the length of a football field.
The widely accepted minimum is a three-second following distance under normal, dry conditions. This should increase to four or more seconds in rain, to six seconds or more in snow or ice, and to eight to ten seconds in severe conditions. Following distance should also increase when driving larger vehicles, towing loads, or driving at highway speeds. Tailgating is one of the most common contributors to rear-end collisions.
Many commercial auto and fleet insurance carriers offer premium discounts for employers who implement documented driver safety training programs. Beyond premium reductions, fewer crashes mean fewer claims, which directly lowers the employer's experience modification rate over time. Some carriers require proof of annual driver safety training as a condition of coverage or as a factor in policy renewal.

Part of These Training Packages

Transportation & Fleet

6 courses for driver safety and DOT compliance

View Package Details

Related Courses

This foundational course pairs naturally with Driving Safety: Hazardous Weather for employees who drive in varied conditions throughout the year. Employers with fleet operations should also consider Driver Safety Training: Distracted Driving Dangers and Prevention for focused coverage of the single largest risk factor in modern driving crashes.

Driver & Fleet Safety

Best Practices for CMV Drivers: Adverse Conditions and Emergency Situations

10 min - EN

$24.95View Course
Driver & Fleet Safety

Best Practices for CMV Drivers: Changing Lanes and Passing

10 min - EN

$24.95View Course
Driver & Fleet Safety

Best Practices for CMV Drivers: Curves, Turns, and Downgrades

10 min - EN

$24.95View Course
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

Need Help?
1-800-287-5942 Request a Custom Quote
$29.95
per person