Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #337 in Software
• Brand: Focus Multimedia Ltd
• Released on: 2008-02-29
• Platforms: Windows XP, Windows Vista

Manufacturer's Description

Essential training for ALL learner drivers!
1. Learn
	Impress your instructor with your new knowledge! Practical Simulator provides you with a fully interactive training programme that guarantees the best mental preparation for your Test, from the basics to the more complex routines. This PC software has been developed in conjunction with a highly qualified driving instructor with 30 years' experience. Used together with real-life driving lessons, you will soon gain the confidence and knowledge you need to advance through your lessons to Driving Test standard. No matter how many driving lessons you have taken, this invaluable training aid will help you to understand and maintain the safe driving skills you need to ultimately pass your Practical Driving Test.
Easy to use Practical Simulator is a computer-based training package containing 10 step-by-step modules that guide you through all the routines and manoeuvres you may be asked to perform during your Test. Learn at your own pace Use the relevant modules before and after your real-life driving lessons, to help reinforce your driving routines and manoeuvres. You can practise interactive 3D driving lessons as many times as you like, allowing you to focus on specific areas of weakness. When you're ready, there's even a virtual driving test to assess your readiness for the real thing. Comprehensive Get professional advice on observation issues, safe driving practices and techniques, using a mixture of video tutorials and printable fact sheets.
2. Practise
	Interactive computer based training Revise and refresh your driving skills with a virtual driving instructor. Sit behind the wheel of a realistic 3D car and experience unpredictable traffic and pedestrian movements, just like real life. Each 3D lesson explores a different aspect of becoming a responsible road user. Your virtual driving instructor will give you a full debrief, as you practice under instruction, all the vital driving routines and manoeuvres that you may be asked to perform in your actual Driving Test. Your 3D interactive driving lessons include:
Negotiating junctions Moving off and stopping safely Use of mirrors Giving signals Road markings and signs Safe use of speed Crossing traffic safely Overtaking safely Roundabouts	Basic routines – POM, MSM and MSPSL Steering Bay parking Stopping distances Following distances Anticipating and planning One way streets Turn in the road Reversing into a road on the left Reverse parallel parking	Completing safe emergency stops Pedestrian crossings Encountering hazards Driving on rural roads Approaching bends and blind brows Driving in rain, fog, snow and ice Night driving Joining and exiting dual carriageways
Did You Know? The OFFICIAL DSA recommendation is that you take 22 hours of private practice in addition to the standard 45 hours of professional tuition before you sit your test.
3. Pass
	Are you ready to pass your Driving Test? View your Driver's Record to see if you have acquired the necessary experience to attempt a mock Driving Test. But be warned, it's as tough as the real thing! With this software you can: Identify any weaknesses before your actual Driving Test. Find out how to follow instructions to Driving Test standard. Understand which faults are serious enough to fail you. Discover what the examiner is looking for by viewing the mock test video.
The UK’s most comprehensive practical training aid
Interactive 3D driving lessons with a professional instructor Detailed progress monitor 130+ step-by-step video tutorials OFFICIAL Show Me, Tell Me content plus 16 video tutorials 20+ printable fact sheets to revise essential routines and manoeuvres away from the PC 3D interactive virtual driving tests Watch a full mock Practical Driving Test with examiner debrief
Remember there is no substitute for getting real driving experience with your Approved Driving Instructor. This software should be used to reinforce and refresh learning in between driving lessons.

Box Contents

Customer Reviews

So much content for the money!!
I bought this for my girlfriend to help her get back into driving after a long break and when we first sat down with it we didnt know what to expect apart from buying it on the reputation of past Driving Test Success products and because we had a pc gaming wheel anyway it seemed like a no brainer to get one where you can actually drive on it too. We are so impressed with this as there is so much on the dvd-rom, it covers everything we could need and even though I have been driving for years it was shocking how much I had forgotten and I recommend this not only to first time drivers, but also to those wanted to get all the up to date info if they have passed years before and wanted to have a refresher course. Superb and for under £18 on here its perfect!! Oh and my gaming wheel is a nice and cheap Trust GM-3100R Steering Wheel for under £20 on here and I reckon the 3200 one will work too and thats only £18! All in all..fantastic!!

DO NOT BUY THIS SOFTWARE!!!
This software is called Driving Test Success Practical Simulator however there is nothing PRACTICAL about it whatsoever.

Where do we start...? I bought this with a steering wheel and pedals so I could get the most realistic experience. When I opened up the software I then noticed the disclaimer: "please note that this software does not utilise pedals..." UH?!! WHY NOT?!! I find it hard to understand why a pretty simple function (one in almost every driving game) could not be programmed in by the makers of a DRIVING SIM!! So instead I'm breaking and accelerating at the click of the mouse...

This leads me to the realism of the simulator, which is not very realistic at all. First off, the simulator does not recognise multiple tasks, it's one button at a time. For example you have to let go of the clutch button to click the gear change button (surely you would hold the clutch button down and then press change gear?) It also picks the right gear for you completely removing a fundamental part of driving. The sim doesn't recognise the pressure of accelerate and brake (so emergency brake is the same as a gentle brake) and when you tap A or B once you go up or down EXACTLY one mile. Let go of the accelerator and you will stay at the same speed FOREVER regardless of hills or bends. There is very little difference between the various speeds and the speed of the sim itself is slow and sluggish. I have a pretty much brand new laptop, I turned the resolution and graphics down to a minimum and it was still SLOW.

I wasn't expecting miracles when I got this and I didn't expect this replace actual driving. But this software is missing very simple things which without them, makes it totally impractical.

good, helpful and only one bad point
i bought this software for myself as i am soon to start my lessons. I can honestly say that it is a great programe and very helpful. The video lessons and then being able to try it out yourself, whilst being guided throughout is so encouraging.

I would say however, that if you want it to work best, you need a very big RAM, i thought mine was big enough, but if it isn't, you can't always understand what the instructor is saying in the video's and sometimes it picks up on faults that you haven't made. A little bit frustrating but well worth your money.