General News
5 February, 2025
Mount Isa, Cloncurry learner drivers benefit from simulators
Building confidence behind the wheel is the focus for RedDoor and MultiSkill Centre.
While earning a driver’s licence is a rite of passage for most young people, building confidence behind the wheel can be a roadblock to success.
However, an innovative new vehicle simulation program in Mount Isa and Cloncurry is offering a safe pathway for those preparing for the dreaded provisional licence exam.
RedDoor and MultiSkill Centre recently purchased two driving simulators, following a financial donation by Aurizon, which will be housed at their Mount Isa and Cloncurry facilities.
The simulators provide the latest technology across three large screens that demonstrate a range of driving conditions while seated in a realistic set up, including gear stick, foot pedals and hand brake.
The computer program displayed on the screen allows an individual profile to be built for each would-be driver, which includes more than 30 modules that begin with simple tasks such as gradual acceleration and braking at a stop sign to increasingly complicated actions that even educate young drivers on the risks when driving under the influence and operating a vehicle while fatigued.
Cloncurry and Mount Isa Loggin Leaner Driving program coordinator Lladyssa Douglas said the program would be open to young people between 16 and 25 years old, with plans to include some school groups this year.
“People wanting to get their license have to get 100 hours logged before they can go for the P licence exam and that can be quite expensive, especially when we were hearing a lot that people often struggle with feeling confident on the road,” she said.
“This simulator is really focused on those people who want to have some practice in a safe environment so they can learn to manage any anxiety they might feel before they start to gain their 100 logged hours. We also work with a lot of at-risk youth, and we want to help them to think about their independence.”
Among those planning on enrolling in the program is Mount Isa resident Kashantai Doyle.
The 22-year-old earned her learner’s permit last year and has ambitions to one day hold a Heavy Rigid (HR) license so she can work in the cattle transport industry.
Kashantai said she had struggled with gear changes while driving a manual vehicle and hoped the simulation would provide a safe space to practice.
“I think it is good to test yourself in something like this video screen setup because you are not on the road yet and you can make your mistakes without putting anyone at risk,” she said.