The Platinum Safety Program™ is an industry-wide safety initiative being rolled out in April 2026 through select state and regional associations to promote higher standards in driver safety, operational compliance, and overall accountability across the luxury ground transportation industry. As insurers, regulators, and clients continue to demand stronger risk management practices, this program represents a coordinated effort to bring consistency and credibility back to safety standards across operators.
The Platinum Safety Program™ is being supported and rolled out through leading industry associations, including the Florida Limousine Association (FLA), the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA), the Georgia Luxury Transportation Association (GLTA), and the Nevada Limousine & Transportation Association (NVLTA). These organizations are working together to establish a more consistent and recognizable standard for safety and professionalism across the industry.
This effort comes at a time when the industry continues to evolve in how safety is demonstrated, documented, and communicated. The Platinum Safety Program™ introduces a more structured and verifiable approach that brings together training, operational requirements, and industry-led standards in a way that creates greater clarity and consistency for all stakeholders.
PAX Training’s Role in the Program
James Blain, President of PAX Training, was part of the committee that advised on the creation of the Platinum Safety Program™ working alongside industry leaders to help define what a higher standard for safety and operational accountability should look like in practice, particularly in shaping the training component that supports the program’s broader safety standards.
As part of that effort, PAX Training developed the Platinum Safety Program™ Defensive Driving Certification, a standalone, industry-specific course designed to meet the needs of the program and the realities of modern ground transportation. The certification was built to go beyond basic compliance, focusing on practical application, consistent decision-making, and real-world driving conditions.
James Blain explains, “This 4-hour Defensive Driving Certification establishes a clear annual benchmark and gives operators a way to demonstrate a real commitment to safety upfront. The companies that will truly benefit from this certification, and the program as a whole, are the ones that use it to set the tone from day one. Real safety is built day by day, week by week.
The companies that lead in safety keep training in front of their teams, reinforce it consistently, and develop their drivers over time. That’s why we’ve always focused on ongoing, weekly training that goes beyond safety and includes customer service. When this certification is used as part of that ongoing training, it becomes more than a requirement. It becomes a foundation for real results.”
Program Requirements & Enrollment
Participation in the Platinum Safety Program™ is optional, but companies that choose to apply must meet a defined set of safety, documentation, and training requirements. This includes providing proof of proper and legal operations, insurance coverage, and meeting ongoing program standards.
Completion of the Defensive Driving Certification alone does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Companies must still complete the full application and approval process. As part of that process, PAX Training will share certification completion data with the Platinum Safety Program™, and only companies whose driving staff have fully completed the certification will be considered for approval.
The Defensive Driving Certification
As part of this initiative, PAX Training has developed the Platinum Safety Program™ Defensive Driving Certification, which is now available ahead of the official program launch. By making the certification available early, companies have the opportunity to begin completing required training now and position themselves to apply when the program opens next month.
This 4-hour, industry-specific course is a required component of the program and must be completed annually by all driving staff at participating companies. The certification is priced at $20 per driving employee and was built specifically for the luxury ground transportation industry.
Rather than relying on generic defensive driving concepts, the course focuses on real-world application, including hazard awareness, vehicle control, and risk reduction to support safer, more consistent operations behind the wheel. It is structured across 18 focused training units that guide drivers through the key behaviors and decision-making skills required to operate at a higher standard, from trip planning and vehicle systems to fatigue management, hazard perception, communication, and emergency situations.
The Platinum Safety Program™ Defensive Driving Certification, developed by PAX Training, is a 4-hour, industry-specific course designed to help drivers build safer habits, improve decision-making, and meet the safety requirements of the Platinum Safety Program™. Through practical, real-world instruction, the course focuses on hazard awareness, vehicle control, risk reduction, and professional driving standards—equipping drivers with the skills they need to operate safely and helping organizations stay compliant with program expectations.
Prepare Ahead of the Launch
For companies planning to participate, making the certification available ahead of launch provides a meaningful advantage. Operators can begin preparing their teams now, ensuring that training requirements are already complete when applications open, rather than delaying the approval process.
While participation in the program is optional, meeting its requirements will become an important way for companies to demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to safety.
Get Started
To purchase licenses for the certification, PAX Training members can contact customer service or access the course directly through the Course Library when logged into the PAX Training platform.