Australian simulation technology company Motum Simulation is taking learner driver education into a new era, launching a school-focused program designed to prepare students for the realities of driving before they ever venture onto public roads.
The company will officially showcase its new Learner Driver Schools Program at EDUtech Australia in Sydney this month, giving educators a firsthand look at how advanced driving simulation technology can support road safety education and student development.
Already used across emergency services, defence, mining and heavy transport industries, Motum’s high-fidelity driving simulators are now being adapted for secondary schools. The initiative aims to provide students with practical driving experience in a safe and controlled environment while supporting curriculum outcomes across a range of subject areas.
Unlike traditional screen-based driver training systems, Motum’s six-degrees-of-freedom full-motion simulators immerse students in realistic driving environments where they can encounter traffic hazards, distractions, adverse weather conditions and emergency situations without any real-world risk.
Motum Simulation Managing Director Steve Hoinville said the program was developed in response to concerns about road safety outcomes among young drivers and a growing need for more engaging educational tools.
“Learning to drive is one of the most significant milestones for young Australians, but it also comes with enormous responsibility and risk,” Hoinville said.
“Our simulation technology allows students to experience situations that would be impossible, unsafe or impractical to replicate in traditional driver education environments.”
The program has been designed to align with Health and Physical Education, STEM and Digital Technologies, as well as broader wellbeing and personal development priorities. Motum believes the technology can also support conversations around resilience, risk awareness and behavioural decision-making.
St Joseph’s College Geelong has already signed on as an early adopter of the initiative. Acting Principal Lisa Pope said driver education was an important part of preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
“Driver education is critically important for our young men, who are statistically among the most at-risk group on our roads,” Pope said.
Motum is also working with a small number of other schools as part of its pilot program, with Westbourne Grammar School exploring a potential trial. The company sees education as the next major growth area for simulation-based driver training, extending technology already proven in safety-critical industries into the classroom.