Frequently Asked Questions

We offer specialized programs including the Advanced [Counter-Ambush] Driving Course for security professionals, High-Threat Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) for executives, Advanced [Counter-Ambush] Accelerated Training (Level 2) for graduates, and Low Grip Conditions and Skid Recovery. All programs are measured using onboard telemetry systems for objective performance evaluation.

Counter-Ambush training develops the state of readiness and rapid cognition needed to make swift, accurate decisions during high-pressure vehicle incidents. Our curriculum was developed over 20 years in high-threat environments like Mexico and Latin America, combining techniques from racing, law enforcement, and military special operations.

Course duration varies by program. The Advanced [Counter-Ambush] Driving Course is a 2-day intensive program, HEAT Training combines 4-6 hours of classroom with 3 hours of scenario-based training, and Level 2 (Accelerated Training) is a 2-day skill sustainment course for ACADS graduates. All courses maximize hands-on time—we've eliminated onsite classroom time by moving theory to online pre-course modules.

You'll develop the security driver mindset through real experience with vehicle dynamics at the limit, emergency braking, evasive maneuvers, threat assessment, high-speed driving techniques, and stress inoculation. Our goal is for you to control at least 80% of a vehicle's capability—the international standard.

A valid driver's license is required. While prior professional driving experience is beneficial, our courses are designed to develop drivers of varying skill levels. Living all your life inside a cave doesn't make you a geologist, and driving all your life doesn't make you an instructor. We'll assess and develop your skills systematically.

No. Impact-based maneuvers are obsolete. Modern vehicles carry Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that counteract them: engines shut down after a collision, airbags deploy, and active braking and steering intervene against the driver's intent. Disengaging those systems is illegal and creates liability for both the driver and the company. We teach skills that work with current vehicle technology, built on a real understanding of the vehicle's capabilities and limitations.

No. Most high-intensity maneuvers seen in movies have little to no practical application. The high-intensity techniques we do teach have direct real-world use: skid control and recovery using EasyDrift DTS devices, ambush and barricade avoidance under time pressure, and reverse maneuvers with break-out and bail-out techniques for escaping a blocked position.

No. Given the limited training time available to working drivers, the short-term benefits of simulators do not justify the track time they would replace. Every exercise happens in a real vehicle, measured by real telemetry.

Complex skills decay without use. Research on high-stress skill retention shows the steepest decline in the first weeks after training, with significant degradation by 6 to 12 months. Recognition, decision-making under stress, and precision vehicle control decay faster than simple motor skills. This is why we recommend periodic refresher training and built the Accelerated Level II program for graduates.

The one-day program serves clients with budget or scheduling constraints. It delivers essential training and the right mindset, but it does not build the comprehensive, measurable skill set the two-day courses are engineered to produce.

You can book open-enrollment courses directly through our website. Simply browse our course catalog, select your preferred date and location, choose the number of seats, and complete the checkout process. For corporate or private training, please contact us directly at (888) 509-9776.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) through our secure payment system powered by Stripe. For corporate bookings, we can also arrange invoicing and purchase orders.

Yes! You can book multiple seats in a single transaction. During checkout, you'll provide details for each attendee. We service clients of all sizes—from multinationals with over 100 drivers to solo practitioners taking open enrollment courses.

For open enrollment courses, cancellations or rescheduling requests made 15 or more days prior to the training date are eligible for a full refund or date change without penalty. Cancellations made less than 15 days before the training date are non-refundable, but rescheduling is allowed subject to availability. Registrations may also be transferred to another individual until the morning of the event. For full details, see our Terms and Conditions.

Yes. AS3 Driver Training is an approved vendor for the GI Bill through ESI. This applies to our courses in Grand Junction, Colorado. Call ESI directly at (970) 242-9004 for options and registration.

We have training facilities across 5+ states including California (Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, Crows Landing), Washington (Pacific Raceways, Evergreen Speedway), Nevada (Las Vegas Motor Speedway), North Carolina (Charlotte area), Texas, and Colorado. With venues on both coasts, you don't come to us—we come to you.

Bring comfortable clothing suitable for driving (closed-toe shoes required), a valid driver's license, and a readiness to push beyond your comfort zone. All training vehicles, fuel, equipment, and refreshments are provided.

All training vehicles are provided as part of the course fee. Our fleet is equipped with onboard telemetry systems that measure every aspect of vehicle behavior, ensuring exercises replicate real-world conditions. You don't need to bring your own vehicle.

Yes, lunch and refreshments are included in all our courses. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance and we'll accommodate your needs.

A mix of sedans and SUVs provided by AS3, most commonly the Ford Explorer, Chevy Tahoe, and BMW 3 Series, with the Nissan Altima for skid control and recovery.

A maximum of 16 students per class, so every driver gets meaningful seat time and individual attention.

Yes. All our courses are fully insured through K&K Insurance.

Onboard telemetry systems measure every aspect of the vehicle's behavior in real-time, generating objective performance reports. These reports confirm that the forces applied during exercises accurately mirror real-world situations, and that drivers can maintain control at the vehicle's limits. All performance is rated against the 80% international standard.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, most drivers use only 40% of a car's capability. Beyond that, vehicles no longer respond as expected—the most common cause of losing control. Our training teaches drivers to recognize limits and anticipate reactions, achieving the 80% international standard for confident vehicle control.

Performance reports are available through our dedicated reports portal at hub.as3international.com. You'll receive login credentials after completing your course, giving you access to detailed performance analysis comparing your progress to peers and the international standard.

Yes, all participants who successfully complete training receive a certificate of completion. Your performance report provides detailed documentation of your skills that can be shared with employers or used for professional credentials. Note that a certificate is not a certification: no industry-wide standard for security driver certification exists, which is why we document measured performance instead.

Absolutely. We work with organizations to develop customized training programs tailored to specific needs, threat environments, and operational requirements. Our programs are structured to build upon themselves over time, creating an evolving journey of skill acquisition.

Yes, for qualified organizations, we can arrange on-site training at suitable facilities. This requires appropriate track or training area access. Contact us to discuss requirements and logistics.

We service clients of all sizes, adapting to particular needs. We cater to multinational clients with over 100 drivers and clients with just one—open enrollment courses are designed even for the solo-practitioner.