Mananthavady: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Driving School in Mananthavady, the only such facility in Wayanad district, has introduced a modern driving simulator to help individuals who are hesitant or fearful about learning to drive and taking a vehicle on the road.

Unique to the district, this high-tech simulator allows learners to sit inside a vehicle-like setup and practice the basic lessons of driving without actually taking the vehicle onto the road. The simulator replicates the exact feeling of sitting in a real vehicle with controls like steering, gear, clutch, brake, accelerator, handbrake, and horn—all integrated into the system.

The experience is designed to mimic real-life driving conditions as closely as possible, with a screen that shows the road movement akin to how the vehicle would move if it were on the road. It even includes realistic sound signals to enhance the training experience. The simulator was installed at the KSRTC Driving School at a cost of around ₹18 lakh.

Training sessions are conducted by experts C.K. Mustafa and C.A. Shaj, with T.K. Lijeesh coordinating office operations. This initiative is part of KSRTC’s efforts to reduce driving anxiety, making it easier for learners to gain confidence before driving on actual roads. It is expected to reduce the rush to other states like Karnataka for licensing purposes.

KSRTC Driving School in Mananthavady began training a year ago, initially focusing on heavy vehicles. So far, 70 trainees have successfully completed heavy vehicle training and obtained licenses.

Following this, training for two-wheelers and four-wheelers began, and 21 trainees have acquired licenses for both. Currently, 18 learners are undergoing training with the provision of necessary computers and seating arrangements.

The fee structure for the training programs is as follows:

Heavy vehicle training: ₹90,000

Two-wheeler license: ₹3,500

Combined two-wheeler and four-wheeler license: ₹11,000

A 20% discount is available for Scheduled Tribe category applicants.