Belgian drivers active in the transport sector and emergency services can now prepare themselves for complex traffic situations in a state-of-the-art driving simulator. As it happens, the Flemish employment service VDAB has invested in four advanced truck simulators, which are housed at the Provincial Institute for Education and Training (PIVO) in Asse.
The simulators are the first in Europe to be fully adapted to the new European GSR II regulation. This mandates the standardization of driving assistance systems, including emergency brake assist, blind spot detection, and lane aid, in new vehicles. All of these technologies are integrated into the simulators.
500 different traffic situations
The devices, fully developed and built by the French company Ediser (software in Marseille, construction and assembly in Montpellier), accurately mimic the operation of modern trucks, including a realistic dashboard, steering, and even visual ground vision. This allows drivers to train without risk in 500 different traffic situations, such as slippery roads, heavy city traffic, or emergency scenarios.
The simulators are an essential step in road safety, sustainable employment, and customized training. Both candidate drivers from the transportation sector and employees of emergency services, such as police and fire departments, are permitted to practice in a safe and realistic environment.
Strong interest in driver training
“Thanks to this collaboration with VDAB, PIVO can specialize in driver training and traffic in the broad sense of the word,” says Tom Dehaene, deputy for PIVO. “Not illogical, because our province, located in the center of the country, has a dense road network and intense traffic.”
In 2024, nearly 800 trainees in Flemish Brabant completed the VDAB truck driver training course, with three-quarters of them securing employment in the sector. With these simulators, VDAB wants to continue that positive trend.
The training courses are tailored to every level, from beginners with language support to experienced drivers and specialized training for emergency services, such as a C1 driving license for police personnel.
High demand for truck drivers
The demand for truck drivers continues to grow throughout Flanders. In 2024, VDAB received over 3,400 vacancies for drivers, primarily in the distribution sector. This represents a 48% increase over the previous year.
Filling these vacancies, however, remains a challenge. More than 2,000 job seekers express interest, but they often lack a driving license or sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language. In 70% of the vacancies, a good understanding of the Dutch language is required.
In Flemish Brabant, more than half of the interested job seekers have little or no driving experience. Almost one in five does not have a valid driving license. Additionally, nearly half have an immigrant background, which is often associated with language barriers.
