Driving And Vehicle Recovery Training!

Google Review
“This was a great experience. Never taken my vehicle off road prior to this and decided why not take a class. I could not have made a better choice. The owner Scott and all the instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. They made the experience very comfortable for a beginner. The video that was sent prior to arriving was a good introduction to the safety and technique that was taught and utilized. It was a blast utilizing in real time techniques. We had a bonus on my day as we got a bit of snow days before. It made the day even better. I look forward to attending future activities here! NORA thanks for a great time.” – Neil J. Dec 2025
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NORA training gives you practical experience for off-road driving and vehicle recovery. These classes are great for recreational off-roading, overlanding and job-related driving in low-traction environments. NORA training focuses on people, vehicle and environmental preservation.  Our 75-acre training facility is in Ellenville, NY and we also offer training clinics at other venues. Our award-winning training is a great way to develop a solid foundation for off-road driving and vehicle recovery skills with a focus on safety.

Public Group Classes are scheduled and listed on our calendar page. We offer classes for driving and vehicle recovery. Most students bring their own vehicles, however we also have rental rigs available. Some classes are for specific vehicles where we review vehicle features and options (i.e. lockers, etc.). We also offer classes for select AWD vehicles. We have miles of trails that have been built for various experience levels. Pick the class and the date you are interested in and register online.

Private Training focuses on you and goes at your own pace. You can choose a listed program or we can customize your training based on what topics you want to cover. Fill out the form on the private training page along with proposed dates/times and we will get back to you typically within 48 hours to schedule your training. Once scheduled, we will send you an invoice to lock in your training date.

Professional Safety Training has been well received by organizations with employees who need to drive in low-traction environments. We have provided training to various organizations including fire departments, US Govt, utility crews, farm workers and more. NORA training provides a baseline competence for all staff on use of your equipment including Trucks, SUV’s and UTV’s. Programs include class presentation based on topic along with related field experience. The training venue may be at your location or ours and includes a certificate of completion for each participant. Fill out the form on the Professional Safety Training page to start the dialogue.

Our Course Catalog highlights many different classes and workshops we have provided over the years. Some are scheduled as public classes and all are available for private training.

Rental Rigs are only available at our Ellenville location for an additional fee. This is a great option if you want to experience off-road driving before making the commitment to purchase a vehicle.

Trail Pass Membership is available to all NORA Alumni who have taken a driving or recovery training class at NORA’s Ellenville Training Center since 2020. This annual subscription program offers opportunities for trail drives and discounts on NORA offerings including classes, coach & drives and driving tours. This is a great way to continue your off-road & Overland education experiences with NORA staff. For additional information fill out the form on the Membership page or contact trailpass@nora4x4.com

NORA’s training programs have been developed by I4WDTA Certified instructors Scott Trager and Jon Mapes. The International 4WD Trainers Association focuses on excellence in 4WD training and is the leading global authority in 4WD professional certification.  Contact us to learn more.

NORA Off-Road Driving Experience Levels (click for more details):
(Level 1) Beginner  – Zero experience
(Level 2) Advanced Beginner  – Experience on sand or easy dirt & rutted trails
(Level 3) Competent  – Experience driving on dirt, rock, ledge. Comfortable with steep grades and off-camber.
(Level 4) Proficient – Comfortable on challenging terrain without a spotter. Experienced with safe recovery techniques.

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Questions? Check out: NORA FAQ’s

Gift Of Learning, Adventure & Fun: NORA Gift Certificates

Get Off Road More: NORA’s Trail Pass Membership Program

NORA has worked with over 12,000 clients since 2011 and has received Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Award each year since 2020 for consistently earning great reviews from travelers. We are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor! Our team of instructors and guides are all passionate about what we do, and we strive to give you an exceptional experience. See our Testimonials.