Learning to drive virtually: Pros and cons

The real world is increasingly being combined with the virtual world. We see this not only in companies like Ikea that use augmented reality to depict products from the catalogue three-dimensionally for their customers. Driving schools are also using virtual applications, such as the driving simulator, alongside regular driving lessons to teach students how to drive. The use of the driving simulator is still relatively new, so there are still many questions surrounding its use and effect. In this article, we will try to give you as complete a picture as possible of the use, advantages and disadvantages of this virtual application by driving schools.

The driving simulator

The driving simulator is, applied by driving schools to teach students the basics of driving a car. It is a virtual environment in which you learn to steer, accelerate, brake and change gears in different traffic situations. You also learn how to look in your mirrors to act safely in virtual traffic. After a few lessons in the driving simulator, lessons can be taken in a real car. The knowledge gained can then be applied in practice.

Advantages

Delft University of Technology has conducted scientific research on the use of the driving simulator. This research has shown that this virtual application is suitable as an alternative to driving lessons in a real car. Taking lessons in a driving simulator has several advantages:

Lessons in a driving simulator offer financial benefits. A lesson in a driving simulator is a lot cheaper than a physical driving lesson. This allows you to save on the total cost of your driving course.
Taking car driving lessons in the simulator is more effective. Eight hours of driving in the simulator is as effective as 12 hours of driving in the lesson car.
In the virtual environment, students experience how busy traffic is, without fear of causing problems. Especially for people with fear of failure, the driving simulator provides a fine learning environment.
Different traffic situations can be created in the driving simulator. As a result, there are always learning moments in the lessons. In driving lessons in a real car, there may be few or no situations that contribute to the student’s progress.
Another advantage of the driving simulator is that all the learner’s actions are recorded. It can then be analysed what the learner can do differently from now on.
In a driving simulator, situations can be repeated. This allows a learner to practice frequently with situations he or she finds difficult. In this way, the learner can improve quickly.
The driving instructor can also demonstrate in a simulation how best to perform an action.

Cons

There are also disadvantages to using the driving simulator. The disadvantages of using a driving simulator at driving schools are:

That there is a chance that the knowledge gained in the driving simulator will not be applied in practice. This is due to the fact that, in some cases, the virtual environment visibly differs from practice.
Also, by repeating traffic situations, a student becomes structured and quickly proficient in driving. The risk of this method is that learners quickly forget the knowledge and skills they have acquired when they apply it little or not at all.
Finally, simulator sickness can occur. In this case, nausea occurs because the balance organ registers things that do not match what is perceived by the learner.

We hope you are now fully informed about the use of the driving simulator. Taking car driving lessons in both a driving simulator and a real car combines the benefits of both methods.