The series “Streets of Broken Lanterns” has become a cult series not only thanks to its crime storylines, but also to its realistic scenes of car chases on the streets of St. Petersburg. Viewers remembered the masterly driving of the main characters - from sharp turns on ice to masterful avoidance of pursuit. But what if such skills are useful not only for movie operas, but also for ordinary drivers?
In real life, extreme situations on the road happen more often than it seems: from an oncoming car suddenly entering your lane to ice on the highway. This is why there are specialized courses, such as "Spider School"** is one of the most famous extreme driving schools in Russia. Here they teach not only how to park and obey traffic rules, but also get out of a skid at a speed of 120 km/h, maneuver in a confined space and maintain control over the car in conditions close to combat.
In this article, we will look at how training is carried out at the “Spider School”, how it differs from classic driving schools, how much the course costs and why extreme driving skills can save your life - even if you do not plan to participate in chases through the night in St. Petersburg.
What is “Spider School” and why is it compared to “Streets of Broken Lanterns”
“Spider School” is not an ordinary driving school where you learn to pass the traffic police exam. Here the focus is shifted to practical driving in extreme conditions, which often resembles scenes from crime series. School instructors often refer to examples from “Streets of Broken Lights,” where the characters demonstrate mastery of driving in difficult situations.
Founder of the school Andrey Starikov (known as Spider), he himself has experience working in the special services and participated in the training of drivers for law enforcement agencies. His methodology is based on three key principles:
- 🚗 Vehicle control in any conditions - from ice to gravel.
- 💨 Reaction speed - the ability to make decisions in a split second.
- 🧠 Psychological stability - Maintaining composure in stressful situations.
It’s interesting that many students come to the school after watching “Streets of Broken Lights” - they want to learn how to feel just as confident behind the wheel. However, real training is much more complicated than movie tricks: they don’t teach drift in public or give chase, but they give skills that will help avoid an accident in a critical situation.
How does training at the Spider School differ from a regular driving school?
If in a standard driving school you will be taught how to park, change gears and pass the traffic police exam, then in the “Spider School” the emphasis is on car behavior at its limit. Let's look at the key differences:
| Criterion | Regular driving school | "Spider School" |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Objective | Obtaining rights | Vehicle control in extreme conditions |
| Practical exercises | City, race track (basic exercises) | Closed areas, simulated accidents, slippery surfaces |
| Cars | Conventional teaching machines | Specially prepared cars (including with handbrake for drifting) |
| Instructors | Certified teachers | Former intelligence officers, motor sportsmen |
| Cost | 20–40 thousand rubles | From 50 thousand rubles for the basic course |
One of the main advantages of the “Spider School” is individual approach. There is no “average student” here: the program is adjusted to the level of training of each driver. For example, if you already know how to enter a controlled skid, you will be taught to do it at a higher speed or on a different type of surface.
⚠️ Attention: Training at the Spider School does not replace classic driving courses. To enter here you you already need to have rights — the school does not prepare you for passing the traffic police exam.
What skills will you gain: from skidding control to avoiding pursuit?
The training program at the Spider School includes several blocks, each of which is aimed at developing specific skills. Here's what awaits you:
- 🌀 Controlled drift — how to enter and exit a slide without losing control. They teach on different types of surfaces: asphalt, gravel, ice.
- 🚘 Emergency braking - how to stop a car at a minimum distance, even if the brakes fail.
- 🔄 Turning around in confined spaces — useful if you urgently need to change the direction of movement (for example, when chasing or avoiding an obstacle).
- 👀 Environmental control — how to spot potential dangers in advance and prevent accidents.
- 💥 What to do in the event of a collision — how to minimize the consequences of an accident if it could not be avoided.
Particular attention is paid psychological preparation. Instructors teach not to panic, even if the situation on the road develops according to the worst scenario. For example, one of the exercises simulates loss of control at high speed — the student needs to keep his cool and regain control of the car.
What is a “police turn” and how is it performed at the “Spider School”
This maneuver, known from films, allows you to turn the car 180 degrees in a matter of seconds. At Spider School, they teach it to be performed on rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles using a handbrake. The main rule is not to overdo it with gas, otherwise, instead of turning, you will end up with an uncontrolled skid.
By the way, many exercises take place in cars with manual transmission — instructors believe that it is this that gives maximum control over the car. However, for those who are accustomed to automatic, there are also special programs.
How much does training cost and how to sign up: prices for 2026
The cost of courses at the Spider School depends on the chosen program and the student’s level of preparation. Here are the current prices for 2026:
- 📌 Basic course (2 days) — 50,000 rubles. Includes the basics of skid control, emergency braking and turns.
- 📌 Advanced course (4 days) — 90,000 rubles. Exercises at high speeds and complex maneuvers are added.
- 📌 Individual training (1 day) — 30,000 rubles. The program is tailored to a specific student.
- 📌 Corporate training - from 150,000 rubles for a group of up to 5 people.
You can sign up for courses through the school’s official website or by phone. Groups are usually filled in advance, so it is better to book your place 1-2 months in advance. Payment is possible both in cash and by bank transfer (including installments through partner banks).
⚠️ Attention: Included in price not included renting a car for exercise. If you do not have your own car, you will have to pay extra for a training car (from 5,000 rubles per day).
Feedback from students confirms that the money was well spent. For example, Alexey from Moscow After completing the course, he was able to avoid a serious accident on the highway when a truck suddenly braked in front of him: “If it weren’t for the skills from the “Spider School,” I would definitely have crashed. And so I was able to go into a controlled drift and go around him.”
True stories: how skills from the “Spider School” save lives
Many school graduates share stories of how the skills they acquired helped them in real-life situations. Here are some examples:
- 🚔 Igor, 34 years old: “On an icy road, a pedestrian jumped out in front of me. Thanks to emergency braking exercises, I was able to stop literally centimeters away from him.”
- 🚗 Maria, 28 years old: “At a speed of 100 km/h my tire burst. Normally I would have lost control, but thanks to training I was able to keep the car on the road.”
- 💨 Dmitry, 41 years old: “A drunk driver started cutting me off. Instead of applying the brakes, I performed the escape maneuver - as we were taught - and avoided a collision."
Interestingly, some students come to school after real accidents in order to overcome fear of driving. For example, Elena from St. Petersburg I had a serious accident due to ice and after that I was afraid to drive. The Spider School course helped her not only regain her confidence, but also learn how to prevent such situations.
If you plan to train in winter, take warm clothes and flat shoes with you - many exercises take place in open areas, and comfort greatly affects the result.
Of course, not all graduates become professional racers or special service drivers. But even basic extreme driving skills significantly reduce the risk of accidents in everyday life.
Myths about extreme driving: what is true and what is not
There are many myths surrounding schools like Spider. Let's look at the most common ones:
- 🚫 Myth 1: “They teach you how to break traffic rules.”
Reality: On the contrary, they teach here follow the rules, but be prepared for others to violate them. - 🚫 Myth 2: “These skills are only useful to racers.”
Reality: Most exercises are aimed at accident prevention under normal conditions. - 🚫 Myth 3: “Learning is life-threatening.”
Reality: All exercises take place under the supervision of instructors in closed areas. - 🚫 Myth 4: “It’s very expensive and doesn’t pay for itself.”
Reality: The cost of the course is comparable to repairs after a serious accident.
Another common stereotype is that only men need extreme driving. In fact, among the students of the “Spider School” there are about 30% women, and many of them perform better than men due to a more careful and attentive driving style.
Extreme driving is not about speed or adrenaline, but about control and security. The skills acquired here will be useful to any driver, regardless of experience.
How to prepare for courses: tips for beginners
If you decide to enroll in Spider School, here are some recommendations to help you get the most out of your training:
Habitual shoes with thin soles (sneakers or sneakers)
Comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement
Driver's license (required!)
A bottle of water and a snack (classes last 6–8 hours)
Spare set of clothes (in case of rain or snow) -->
It’s also worth practicing some basic skills in advance:
- 🔹 Skill feel the dimensions of the car (for example, parking without a camera).
- 🔹 Smooth steering control - no sudden movements.
- 🔹 Working with pedals - It is especially important to learn how to dose the pressure on the gas and brake.
If you have never traveled to mechanics, it makes sense to take a few lessons before the course - this will make learning much easier. As a last resort, you can select a program for automatic, but the opportunities to practice some exercises will be limited.
And most importantly: don't be afraid to make mistakes. Even experienced drivers often lose control of the car during their first lessons - this is normal. The Spider School instructors are accustomed to working with students of any level.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about “Spider School”
Can I get training if I don't have a license?
No, you must have a valid driver's license to register for courses. The school does not prepare for passing the traffic police exam.
What machines are used for training?
The school has a fleet of cars of different brands: from VAZ 2107 (to practice drift) up to Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (for advanced courses). You can also come with your own car if it meets the technical requirements.
How long does the training last?
The basic course takes 2 days (usually weekends), the advanced course takes 4 days. Classes take place from 9:00 to 18:00 with a lunch break.
Do the school provide any certificates?
Yes, upon completion of the course you will be issued a certificate of completion. However, it does not have legal force - it is rather a confirmation of your skills.
Is it possible to learn to drift in one day?
No, drifting is a difficult skill that takes a lot of practice. You'll be taught the basics of skid control in one day, but mastery will require additional training.