Driving through the simulated night: A comparison between simulator-based and traditional night driving training

The current use of simulators in driver training in Norway is very limited. In this study, we explore how a simulatorbased night driving course compares to the current course used in Norwegian driver training. The course is very early in the process of obtaining a license and conducted before the learner drivers are allowed to drive themselves. The goal is that the learner drivers acquire knowledge on the subject of night driving. The effects are compared using multiple-choice tests on the night driving curriculum. In the experimental setup, all participants (n = 142) performed both types of training, and they were compared to a baseline group (n = 80). The simulator-based training led to larger improvements in test scores than the current training, regardless of the training order.