Although a driving simulator can be very beneficial for trainees, instructors may hesitate to use it in their driver training. Simulators can be viewed as a game by students who prefer to begin their driver training in a real vehicle. However, driving simulators aren’t a game. Instead, you learn the skills to drive safely.

Effectiveness
Traffic rules, traffic participation, and dealing in traffic in realistic scenarios are the main focus of a simulator. Vehicle control is not the only thing that matters. These are the hardest skills to learn in an learner car. These properties are what make a good driving simulator.

* Skills are taught in a way to avoid mental overload. The training is focused on driving tasks such as shifting gears, changing lanes, and scanning for potential intersections.

* Trainees can practice many traffic situations in a very short period of time. This allows them to gain sufficient driving experience. Specific skills can be learned in a simulator. One hour can be spent driving in a simulator and the trainee will encounter more intersections than if they were driving in a real world learner car. Visual scanning, the use of indicator and gear, speed control, priority and priority rules can all be learned and evaluated. A lack of driving experience in the relevant traffic situations is an important aspect of driver training. This is an important determinant for driver safety.

* A typical lesson in a learner’s car is where the instructor does not have control over traffic situations. They are more or less random. The simulator lessons provide well-timed learning moments that have high training value and are guaranteed to occur. The simulator lessons have a guaranteed effectiveness.

* A simulator is equipped with a ‘virtual trainer’ that continuously monitors and evaluates the trainee’s performance. It provides instant feedback to the trainee whenever he or she makes an error. This quick and systematic feedback allows for faster errors learning.

* Students learn to drive in a simulator. In real life, the consequences of making an error aren’t as severe as they would be in a simulator. Most people learn faster when they feel comfortable and secure.