Smith Systems

The Smith System has a rich history that dates back to 1952, when Harold Smith established the first professional driver training company in the United States. At the time, Smith recognized that most drivers consistently made dangerous fundamental mistakes behind the wheel. Determined to change this, he developed the Smith5Keys, a proven philosophy that focuses on crash-avoidance driver safety training.

Today, Smith System is the trusted global leader in crash-avoidance driver safety training. With a commitment to "Drive Different. Save Lives, " the company has trained tens of thousands of drivers annually, including drivers from more than half of Fortune 500 fleets. Our instruction is available in more than 22 languages and 100 countries worldwide.

Our History

The story of Smith System begins in 1948 when Harold Smith opened Detroit's first driving school, "The Safeway Driving School." He began teaching what is now The Smith5Keys to Space Cushion Driving. In 1952, Ford Motor Company collaborated with Smith on a nationwide promotion, and he decided to change the name of his company, making Smith System the first advanced driving skills company in the country.

Throughout the years, Smith System has expanded its services and innovative training programs. In 1969, Harold Smith was featured on the cover of Car and Driver Magazine as "The Greatest Driver in the World." In 1990, Smith System headquarters relocated from San Diego, California to Arlington, Texas. In 2005, Smith System and ExxonMobil Aviation won the Energy Institute Safety Award for the best new training program after launching the Airside Driver Safety Training program.

Our Services

At Smith System, we offer a range of services designed to improve driver safety and reduce the risk of accidents. Our services include:

• Behind-the-Wheel Training: Our advanced driver training programs are based on The Smith5Keys. We come to your site to conduct classroom and on-road training with the reinforcement of a certified instructor. By learning in real-world scenarios, drivers are better able to replicate their skills on the job.
• Driver Trainer: Our train-the-trainer certifications provide your staff with the skills to teach our proven crash-prevention methods to your fleet drivers. Training can be conducted at your location, no matter where you are in the world.
• Driving Dynamics: Our DrivingDynamics program provides drivers with substantially increased abilities to control a vehicle in emergency situations.
• eLearning: Our cost-effective option provides a wide variety of driving and workplace safety topics. Accessible anywhere there's an internet connection, our eLearning platform incorporates testing to improve learning and retention.
• Fleet Management: Our fleet-management tools allow you to track fleet vehicles and monitor driver behavior with GPS location and telematics, then store and manage the data you collect in a single, powerful platform.
• Cameras and Decal Programs: We offer a range of cameras and decal programs designed to improve fleet safety.

What Sets Us Apart

At Smith System, we are committed to driving different and saving lives. Our proven philosophy, The Smith5Keys, focuses on crash-avoidance driver safety training. We offer a range of services designed to improve driver safety and reduce the risk of accidents. Whether you're a fleet manager or a driver, we're here to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to drive safely and confidently.

What Our Clients Say

"Smith System has one of the best services behind-the-wheel component because it takes it out of the classroom and into the real world. Making sure that those concepts are applied in a real-world setting, in a semi-controlled environment, with an instructor there coaching the drivers and providing feedback is very beneficial." - Rob Helstrom, Penske Logistics