Defensive Driving for Transit Operators Certification Program

The CASTA Defensive Driving for Transit Operators Certification course was designed with Transit drivers and operators in mind, delivering sound operator practices, experience from trainers in the field, And a curriculum tailored specifically for Professionals in the transit industry. This course is intended to be used as a general Defensive Driving teaching tool for professionals in the transit industry, allowing each agency to interject specific company policies where needed.

Course objectives:

The objective of the CASTA Defensive Driving for Transit Operators Certification is provide specific and tailored training to bus, van, and train operators in the transit industry.

Course topics include:

Understand the consequences of distracted, fatigued and impaired driving
Recognize the habits of defensive driving
Better understand vehicle technology and safety features
Identify personal driving behaviors and risk-taking tendencies
Improve hazard identification and assessing risks
Develop a personal plan for making effective driving choices

What participants will learn: Participants learn how to recognize both potential and immediate driving hazards and how to avoid traffic violations and collisions in a variety of driving conditions. They will develop a personal plan for making safe and responsible driving decisions.

Get Started with CASTA DDTOC Instructor Certification:

Become certified to teach the CASTA Defensive Driving Course by attending a DDTOC Instructor workshop. The workshop is generally held each year, either at one of CASTA’s conferences or as a regional training upon request. It covers the content of the driver course and training techniques for instructing defensive driving to transit professionals. You’ll learn how to teach the CASTA Defensive Driving for Transit Operators course through scenario based instruction, as well as, discussion about specific concerns related to your agency. If you are interested in becoming a DDTOC Instructor, hosting an Operator course, or need to order Student Manuals, please contact Joseph Parks at josephp@coloradtransit.com

CASTA DDTOC Course Fees: Instructor Certification and Course Materials*	Quantity	CASTA Member Price	Non-CASTA Member Price	Certification Requirements
Instructor Certification Course**	1	$150	$300	Pay the Course Fee Attend 8 hour Workshop Pass test with at least 80% correct Certification is good for 1 year beginning the date of the passed test. Grace Period until the last day of the month of certification
Annual Instructor Recertification	1	$50	$100	Pay Annual Instructor Recertification Fee Review any annual updates online Certification is good for 1 year beginning the date of the passed test. Instruct a minimum of 8 hours in Defensive Driving in the year prior to recertification
Operator Certification Course****	1	$10	$20	Pay the Course Fee Attend 8 Hour Workshop Pass test with at least 80% correct Certification is good for 2 years
Master Instructor Certification	1	N/A	N/A	Maintain DDTOC Instructor Certification, including fees. At least two years of Defensive Driving training experience Instruct a minimum of 36 hours in Defensive Driving in the last four years. Check out the Master Certification Webpage for more information
Sponsored DDTOC Trainer Workshop*	CASTA provides the option for organizations to sponsor DDTOC Trainer Workshops in their area to get multiple trainers certified.			Visit our Sponsored DDTOC Trainer Workshop page for more details

*Payment for the Instructor Certification Course and Instructor Course Guide is required prior to beginning the Instructor Certification Course.

**Includes Instructor Manual, Operator Course Guide, Operator Certificate of Completion, & Instructor Certificate of Completion. Certified instructors are required to be certified on and pay for each new edition of the CASTA DDTOC course.

***The first year of CASTA DDTOC Instructor certification is included when you complete the Instructor Certification Course. Instructor recertification is billed annually after that.

****Includes Operator Manual & Certificate of Completion. A Certified Instructor must teach the course. to receive certification.

Upcoming Course:

DDTOC Trainer Workshop – 2021 CASTA Spring Training Conference
- The Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, CO
- May 18-19, 2021
- To register, choose “DDTOC Trainer Workshop – Full Conference Included” on the Spring Conference Registration Form

If you are interested in becoming a DDTOC Instructor, or need to order Student Manuals, please contact Joseph Parks at josephp@coloradotransit.com

Need to find a trainer in your area? Check out the list of certified DDTOC Trainers here.