Can this game help someone whose learning how to drive?

[Kylogia]

Does it have any educational benefits for someone who is learning how to drive?

[BobGrey]

Sort of. It can help learn what signs/lines mean and how to respond to them at least. It can also show how to actually drive, but the physics is not the best, so don't count on learning how to handle wet/slippery roads.
It can also help you improve your reaction times, which you can then put into use when driving in real life. I learned how to react better and faster by playing driving games, as well as thought myself how to drive with them.

[Asigion]

It can certainly be an aid. I gave a Thrustmaster TX wheel and a TH8A shifter to a friend for her daughter to practice driving with. It can help with practicing road rules, the awareness of other vehicles, steering and use of pedals.

It will not replace practical driving lessons but it can prepare someone and give them an aid to pracice with. However, you would need a wheel with 900 degree rotation so the wheel can be in sync with the in game wheel and a set of pedals.

A shifter is not necessary but because I learned to drive in a manual I think it gives a better understanding of how to drive, rather than an automatic which only needs steering, accelerating and braking.

Just to add: Also very good for practicing 3 point turns and handbrake starts on hils and the principles of reverse parking.

[Capt Fuzzy]

I would most certainly say yes, it can help, but as stated earlier, only to a point.
As an example, my sister was moving into a new house last weekend and asked me if I could pull the trailer that she was renting, because I have a truck and she doesn't. Of course, I agreed.
I haven't pulled a boat, camper or anything in a number of years, so I was a little nervous because of that much time without practicing any.
I've been playing ATS for a good while now and ingame, I'm pretty good at backing my trailers into tight parking spots, but this is real, if I mess up here, someone's gonna have to pay real money to fix it, mainly me... lol
Long story short, I surprised even myself, I maneuvered that trailer (15 ft, btw) around like I'd been doing it for years! I even got it in and out of some tight spots more than once with no trouble at all.

I'm not a trucker in real life, I have pulled some large loads over the years, 17 ft boats, campers and trailers, but not for about 15 or 20 years, so this simulator/game really did help keep me in practice.

[Asigion]

Well done Capt Fuzzy. I never doubted you for a minute, always knew you could do it! :)

[tox]

I guess however trucks in real life don't stop like cars,secondly tankers forget it,the game throws realism out the window when it comes to tankers.
Don't take my comment as if I do not like the game I do but I also realise I can't take it as a "real life simulation.

[Pokerchip]

IM A real trucker and its not bad with a g29 wheel but havent played in over 8 mo

[tox]

Originally posted by DEATH DEALERz270:

IM A real trucker and its not bad with a g29 wheel but havent played in over 8 mo

Since you are a real truck driver then you must know driving with tankers in the game have zero real life handling.

[oxblood]

its not real life but they could learn somethink, if you help and teach them

[Ornery]

Originally posted by Grimisto:

Since you are a real truck driver then you must know driving with tankers in the game have zero real life handling.

Baffled modern tanks aren't that difficult at all. But even so, to simulate liquids...that's a lot of physics to work on. And I doubt AI could handle it without major work.

[Asigion]

Originally posted by Grimisto:

Originally posted by DEATH DEALERz270:

IM A real trucker and its not bad with a g29 wheel but havent played in over 8 mo

Since you are a real truck driver then you must know driving with tankers in the game have zero real life handling.

I wasn't aware the OP wanted to know if this game will help someone learn to drive with a bloody great tanker hooked up.

In an earlier post you mention realism. Realism comes from practical driving lessons. This game can never be a substitute for having practical driving lessons but it can be an aid in learning to drive.

I forgot to mention ealier that I also gave my friend a TrackIr 5. That helps with checking mirrors and looking right and left by just turning your head.

You seem to have a jaded opinion of the game and do not understand what the OP was asking. so I will quote it so you can reflect on the question.

Originally posted by Kylogia:

Does it have any educational benefits for someone who is learning how to drive?

[BobGrey]

I have always liked driving games, and after playing games like GTA, Midnight Club, Need for Speed, and Test Drive, the VERY FIRST time I drove a real vehicle, it was a Toyota 4-Runner SUV. I managed to drive across three counties on mountain roads with 20-35mph speed limits at an average of 90mph! I knew from my long experience of driving games and comparing them to each other, how and when to do what to keep the vehicle on the road, (mostly) on the ground, and at high speeds. Today, I never drive slower than 60 unless completely blocked in. If a car wants to turn across oncoming in a 35 speed zone, I pass in the ditch at 70. Why? I know how, safely.
I also learned from these games how to monitor my surroundings quickly and accurately so as not to put anyone in danger when executing such maneuvers.
Short story, yes, this game (and all other driving games) can teach you how to drive as long as you know how to interpret what you are experiencing and can compare this game to others and to your own experience in real vehicles (as a driver or passenger) and know what to learn from each situation.
It took me over a decade of playing driving games, but I never had a single driving lesson. I took, and passed, my drivers license test with almost no real driving experience, and I am the fastest, safest, professional driver in my area. Fully self-tought by video games.

[Asigion]

Originally posted by BobGrey:

I have always liked driving games, and after playing games like GTA, Midnight Club, Need for Speed, and Test Drive, the VERY FIRST time I drove a real vehicle, it was a Toyota 4-Runner SUV. I managed to drive across three counties on mountain roads with 20-35mph speed limits at an average of 90mph! I knew from my long experience of driving games and comparing them to each other, how and when to do what to keep the vehicle on the road, (mostly) on the ground, and at high speeds. Today, I never drive slower than 60 unless completely blocked in. If a car wants to turn across oncoming in a 35 speed zone, I pass in the ditch at 70. Why? I know how, safely.
I also learned from these games how to monitor my surroundings quickly and accurately so as not to put anyone in danger when executing such maneuvers.
Short story, yes, this game (and all other driving games) can teach you how to drive as long as you know how to interpret what you are experiencing and can compare this game to others and to your own experience in real vehicles (as a driver or passenger) and know what to learn from each situation.
It took me over a decade of playing driving games, but I never had a single driving lesson. I took, and passed, my drivers license test with almost no real driving experience, and I am the fastest, safest, professional driver in my area. Fully self-tought by video games.

After reading your post, I must ask my friend for the return of the wheel, shifter and TrackIr. :)

Think I have a few of your friends where I live. :)

[BobGrey]

Got some GTA style traffic there?
Everyone casually going 120
Light turns red
Everyone begins slowing
Slowed to about 90
"Skrew it"
Everyone begins accelerating
Traffic splits ways and merges between oncoming and the cross traffic
Everyone makes it through and intersection clears
No crashes

Sounds like something that would happen in a city full of people who drive like me!

For the record though, I have never owned a wheel controller before. I have always played on XBox until a couple years ago when I switched to PC.
I want one though.

[Asigion]

Originally posted by BobGrey:

Got some GTA style traffic there?
Everyone casually going 120
Light turns red
Everyone begins slowing
Slowed to about 90
"Skrew it"
Everyone begins accelerating
Traffic splits ways and merges between oncoming and the cross traffic
Everyone makes it through and intersection clears
No crashes

Sounds like something that would happen in a city full of people who drive like me!

For the record though, I have never owned a wheel controller before. I have always played on XBox until a couple years ago when I switched to PC.
I want one though.

LOL That sounds a lot like here sometimes. :)

A wheel and shifter is great. I am surprised you have never used one for the games you play. I am sure you would enjoy the racing games better, especially with a shifter. I am no where in your league but love the wheel and shifter along with the TrackIr.

[FriendCalledFive]

City Car Driving would probably be better, it is a long way from perfect though.