Frequently Asked Questions

Driving simulators are frequently used for modern driver training. Training on the simulator teaches the student all the different operation processes and mechanisms related with driving a vehicle in a playful manner. Simulators are electronic devices and therefore environment-friendly, energy-efficient and free from wear and tear. Unlike conventional driver training in a car or truck, training on a simulator isn’t subject to traffic and weather conditions and a cost-effective solution due to zero fuel consumption.

Another benefit of driving simulators is the possibility to simulate risky and dangerous situations so that students learn how to safely handle them. Situations which are too dangerous to train during conventional driver training can be trained on the simulator in a relaxed atmosphere without taking any risk.

Subsequent to the training session instructor and student can evaluate the ride. Traffic situations can be reproduced and seen from the instructor’s perspective or a bird’s eye view to analyse the driving and any mistakes, and to find better solutions. Furthermore, the student can repeat all of the exercises to correct and improve their driving.

As you can see, FOERST driving simulators offer a wide range of benefits; they are efficient and can simulate training situations which cannot be trained during conventional driver training.

Yes, the instructor can intervene in the situation via the external control desk. He can adjust the weather conditions and trigger different events, e.g. a child jumping onto the street. That way the student learns to be alert to potential dangers and to act and react correctly to unforeseeable events.

Foerst has developed different types of driving simulators to realistically simulate driving a car, truck or bus. Various simulation modes simulate different everyday situations or dangerous situations the driver has to master.

Our car simulators are equipped with the “eco-driving” mode that teaches the student to drive in an economical, efficient and eco-friendly manner. In the “road safety” mode drivers can train their reaction to extreme or dangerous situations. In the “motorsports” mode drivers learn about the physics of driving and train to drive confidently and steadily at any time. The “free driving” mode simulates the pitfalls of normal driving whereas in the “alcohol simulation” mode the driver experiences how alcohol affects their driving. The “emergency vehicle” mode is intended for ambulance and fire engine drivers.

Our truck simulators can simulate rides in semi-trailer trucks, tank trucks, mini trucks, buses, fire engines, and truck-trailer combinations. Just as the car simulators they are equipped with the “eco-driving” mode to educate the driver to drive in an environment-friendly and economical way. In the “hazard perception” mode students can train to drive with foresight and act and react correctly to precarious situations. Especially developed for our truck simulators the “manoeuvring” teaches the driver to safely manoeuvre the vehicle through an obstacle or slalom course, always keeping in mind the physical behaviour of the truck. The “driver safety training” mode is for practising emergency stops, evasive manoeuvres and changing lanes. Our truck simulators also feature the “emergency vehicle” mode where the driver gets confronted with the particularities of driving a police car, fire engine or ambulance (time pressure, increased speed, busy intersections…) and learns to keep a cool head in risky situations.

Our driving simulators are equipped with original car and truck parts (e.g. pedals, gear shift, steering wheel) to ensure a true-to-life driving experience.

The controls react in real time and represent the driver’s actions realistically and according to their reaction time on the simulator‘s screen. Advanced driver assistance systems like the anti-lock braking system (ABS) or adaptive cruise control (ACC) may also be turned on. Rear-view mirrors allow the driver to see the surroundings and the traffic.

Also, the simulators authentically imitate physical characteristics like the centrifugal forces you feel when going around a bend or changes to the vehicle dynamics when driving with a trailer.

Sophisticated features like the aforementioned make it almost impossible to distinguish driving in a virtual simulator from real on-road driving and ensure a very realistic driving experience.