In 1998, Virginia's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) was directed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle's (DMV's) oversight of commercial driver training schools (CDTS) in Virginia. The evaluation included the following research activities: mail surveys of DMV CDTS oversight staff and CDTS operators; visits to 14 CDTS; a review of the driving history data of more than 180,000 driver education graduates; structured interviews with DMV staff; observation of DMV annual audits of 7 CDTS; and document reviews. The following were among the main findings: (1) the role of CDTS is increasing; (2) accident rates of CDTS graduates are higher than those of graduates of public and private school driver education programs; (3) CDTS standards must be strengthened to facilitate oversight; and (4) DMV's oversight process should be strengthened (review of classroom and in-car training segments should be enhanced; inspections of CDTS training vehicles should be more comprehensive; and monitoring visits between annual audits are needed). Twenty-four figures/tables/exhibits are included. The following items are appended: text of Virginia House Joint Resolution No. 470; the DMV's response to the JLARC's recommendations; the CDTS audit report form; correspondence pertaining to the review; and guidelines for Virginia's driver licensing examination. (MN)