Driver’s Education ‘98

Last updated: January 16, 2026

Overview

Driver’s Education ‘98 is an educational driving simulator developed by Dynamix, Inc. and published by Sierra Entertainment in 1998.¹ The software was designed to help prepare aspiring drivers for both the written examination and practical driving test, combining interactive test preparation with a fully realized 3D virtual city featuring real-world physics.² It was marketed as a “two-products-in-one” package, offering both a Driving Academy for test preparation and a 3D Virtual City for hands-on driving practice.³

The game represented one of the last titles published under Sierra’s “Discovery Series” educational brand, which had previously produced various learning software throughout the 1990s.⁴ Players could drive around in a virtual world accompanied by a virtual driving instructor named “Ed,” who would guide them through lessons and provide feedback on their driving performance.⁵ The program was notable for taking into account the specific driving laws of different U.S. states, allowing users to customize their learning experience based on their location.⁴

So confident were the developers in the effectiveness of Driver’s Education that it was sold with an unprecedented money-back guarantee: if users didn’t pass their driving test after completing the program, they could receive a full refund.⁶ This bold marketing approach underscored the educational ambitions of the software, positioning it as a serious learning tool rather than mere entertainment. Contemporary assessments praised it as “an outstanding educational program that does exactly what it sets out to do: teaches driving in a safe environment without any risk of an accident.”⁷

Game Info

Developer: Dynamix, Inc.¹ Director: Bill Money¹ Publisher: Sierra Entertainment¹ Engine: Proprietary 3D engine Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 98³ Release Year: 1998 Series: Sierra’s Driver’s Education Sierra Lineage: Discovery Series⁴

Program Summary

Driver’s Education ‘98 was structured as a comprehensive driving preparation tool rather than a traditional narrative-driven game. The software included access to driving manuals for all 50 United States, allowing users to study the specific rules and regulations applicable to their state.⁸ This customization extended to the testing portions of the program, which could generate practice examinations based on state-specific requirements.⁹

The virtual driving environment was presented as a realistic city setting where users could practice various driving scenarios under the supervision of their virtual instructor, Ed.⁵ Ed would provide guidance and commentary throughout the driving lessons, similar to how a real driving instructor would operate during behind-the-wheel training. The 3D Virtual City included various road types, traffic scenarios, and environmental conditions to prepare users for real-world driving challenges.⁸

The program featured more than 30 lessons covering different aspects of driving, from basic vehicle operation to more complex maneuvers like highway merging and parallel parking.⁸ Users could progress through structured lessons or explore the virtual city freely, practicing skills at their own pace. The software tracked student behavior and provided feedback designed to reinforce safe driving techniques.⁹

Beyond the practical driving simulation, the Driving Academy component offered theoretical instruction including street symbol recognition, precautionary measures training, and comprehensive coverage of traffic laws.¹⁰ Flash animations demonstrated proper techniques for various driving maneuvers, while diagrams illustrated concepts like lane changing and right-of-way rules.⁸

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Driver’s Education ‘98 offered players multiple perspective options for viewing the driving experience. The game supported both first-person and third-person camera views, allowing users to choose their preferred vantage point while navigating the virtual city.¹ This flexibility was particularly valuable for an educational product, as different learners might find different perspectives more helpful for understanding spatial relationships while driving.

The software was designed to work with a variety of input devices to accommodate different user preferences and budgets. Basic control was available through keyboard input, while more serious users could employ joysticks or dedicated driving wheels with pedals for a more realistic experience.⁴ The 1999 follow-up edition added support for force feedback devices, suggesting that hardware support was an area of ongoing development for the series.⁹ The program supported mouse, keyboard, joysticks, steering wheels, and pedals, with force feedback functionality available for compatible hardware.⁹

Structure and Progression

The program was divided into two main components that could be accessed independently:

• Driving Academy: An interactive test-preparation module featuring theoretical instruction, practice examinations, and educational content about traffic laws and safe driving practices.²

• 3D Virtual City: A free-roaming driving simulation where users could practice driving skills in a realistic urban environment with their virtual instructor.²

The curriculum included 65 comprehensive lessons in the later 1999 edition, with complete testing materials for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁹ The original 1998 edition featured more than 30 lessons covering driving on various road types and freeways.⁸

Lessons and Scenarios

The driving lessons covered a comprehensive range of skills necessary for real-world driving:

• Basic Vehicle Operation: Starting, stopping, steering, and basic maneuvering
• Parking Objectives: Parallel parking, angle parking, and parking lot navigation⁸
• Lane Changing: Practice with proper signaling and mirror checking, with accompanying diagrams⁸
• Freeway Driving: Highway merging, lane selection, and exit procedures⁸
• Bad Weather Driving: Operating a vehicle in rain, fog, and other adverse conditions⁸
• Street Symbol Recognition: Identifying and understanding traffic signs and road markings¹⁰

Anyone familiar with Dynamix’s superb flight simulations would feel at home with the sharp, detailed SVGA graphics that powered the driving experience.⁴

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Driver’s Education ‘98 received a mixed but generally positive reception from users, though formal critical reviews from major gaming publications were limited due to its educational nature. The program was praised for its educational value while some noted its limitations as a simulation.

Amazon customer reviews from 2010-2016 gave the product an aggregate score of 2.4 out of 5 stars, with opinions varying significantly based on user expectations.³ One reviewer, Jack Rella, noted that “This is a great tool in some ways, but the graphics are limited; it feels like a video game as opposed to an educational tool.”³ Another reviewer, Patricia, was more enthusiastic, describing it as “Great for ‘private driving lessons’, 365 days a year…with the most nominal of costs!”³

Modern Assessment

Modern assessments of Driver’s Education ‘98 tend to view it as a nostalgic curiosity rather than a practical learning tool, though some users have found it continues to have educational value. The game maintains a dedicated following among retro computing enthusiasts who remember using it during their youth.

GameFAQs users rated the game as “Great” based on 8 user ratings, suggesting continued appreciation from those who experienced it during its original release window.¹¹ Giant Bomb user reviews similarly awarded the game 4.0 out of 5 stars, indicating that users who sought out the game generally had positive experiences.¹²

The educational driving website Driver’s Ed Guru noted that the game “may actually be a fantastic game” but was unable to provide a formal review due to paid access requirements. They did acknowledge it as “the only online driving game that lets you play from the perspective of an actual driver (as opposed to the ‘eagle flying overhead’ perspective).”¹³

Aggregate Scores:

• Amazon Customer Reviews: 2.4/5 (various customers, 2010-2016)³
• GameFAQs: “Great” (8 ratings)¹¹
• Giant Bomb: 4.0/5 stars¹²

Development

Origins

Driver’s Education ‘98 emerged from Dynamix’s expertise in simulation software. The Eugene, Oregon-based studio was already well-known for its flight simulation games, and the technical knowledge gained from those projects translated well to creating a realistic driving simulation.⁴ The decision to apply simulation technology to driver education represented an innovative approach to educational software, combining entertainment software production values with practical learning objectives.

The game was developed as part of Sierra’s Discovery Series, an educational software brand that aimed to make learning engaging through interactive experiences.⁴ This positioned Driver’s Education ‘98 as more than just a game—it was conceived as a genuine educational tool that could supplement traditional driver training programs.

Production

Development was led by Director Bill Money, with Jeffrey Tunnell serving as Executive Producer and Ken Embery as Producer.¹ The programming team was substantial, reflecting the technical complexity of creating a realistic driving simulation. Glenn Wallace led the programming effort, supported by simulation programmer James Poelke and shell programmer Nancy Hamilton.¹

The artificial intelligence programming—critical for simulating realistic traffic behavior and the virtual instructor’s responses—was handled by a team of four programmers: Jon Milnes, Brian Apgar, Art Peregrine, and Damon Mitchell.¹ Vehicle physics, essential for creating realistic handling characteristics, was developed by Dan White.¹

The visual presentation was created by digital artists Robert Borth, Lael Salaets, and Anthony Lewis, with Justin Holman serving as Assistant Director.¹ Audio and sound effects were provided by Loudmouth, a professional audio production company.¹

Development Credits:¹

• Executive Producer: Jeffrey Tunnell
• Producer: Ken Embery
• Director: Bill Money
• Assistant Director: Justin Holman
• Lead Programmer: Glenn Wallace
• Sim Programmer: James Poelke
• Shell Programmer: Nancy Hamilton
• AI Programmers: Jon Milnes, Brian Apgar, Art Peregrine, Damon Mitchell
• Vehicle Physics: Dan White
• Setup and Misc. Programming: David Sandgathe
• Digital Artists: Robert Borth, Lael Salaets, Anthony Lewis
• Audio & Sound Effects: Loudmouth
• Mission Scripting: Brandon Franklin, Hugh Markfield
• Video Production: James Carey, David Aughenbaugh, Kate Alley, Sage Freeman
• QA Lead: Garrett Turner
• Marketing Manager: Jay Moore
• Driving Consultant: Jodee Moine

The inclusion of a dedicated driving consultant, Jodee Moine, indicated the development team’s commitment to ensuring the educational content was accurate and pedagogically sound.¹

Technical Achievements

The game utilized SVGA graphics to create its 3D virtual city environment, which was considered sharp and detailed for its era.⁴ The simulation incorporated real-world physics to create realistic vehicle handling, differentiating it from arcade-style driving games.²

The software’s ability to customize content based on state-specific driving laws represented a significant technical and content achievement, requiring the development team to research and implement the distinct regulations of all 50 states.⁴ This customization extended to the practice testing system, which could generate state-appropriate examination questions.⁹

The game tracked student behavior throughout the driving sessions and used this data to provide targeted feedback and reinforcement of safe driving techniques.⁹ This adaptive approach to instruction set it apart from simpler educational software that presented the same content to all users regardless of their performance.

Technical Specifications

CD-ROM Version:⁴

• Resolution: SVGA (800×600 or 640×480)
• Display Colors: 256 colors¹⁴
• Input Devices: Keyboard, Joystick, Racing/Steering Wheel with Pedals¹
• Perspective: First-person and Third-person views¹
• File Size: Approximately 10.8 MB (1998 edition)⁷
• Media: CD-ROM¹
• Players: 1 Player¹

Windows XP Compatibility Mode:¹⁴

• Required Resolution: 640 × 480
• Required Colors: 256 colors
• Compatibility Mode: Windows 95/98

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Notes
Driver’s Education ‘98	1998	Windows 95/98	Initial release, ~10.8 MB7
Driver’s Education ‘99	1998-1999	Windows	Improved graphics, more driving simulations, 124 MB7

The 1999 edition expanded the program significantly, featuring improved graphics, additional driving simulations, and enhanced hardware support including force feedback devices.⁷ The substantial increase in file size from approximately 11 MB to 124 MB reflected the additional content and improved asset quality.⁷

Technical Issues

Driver’s Education ‘98, like many Windows 98-era games, has experienced compatibility issues with modern operating systems. Users attempting to run the software on Windows XP encountered problems where the program would load but driving functionality would fail—specifically, there would be no sound in the virtual city and the car could not be controlled.¹⁴

The recommended solution for Windows XP compatibility was to run the program using Windows 95/98 compatibility mode with display settings adjusted to 640×480 resolution and 256 colors.¹⁴ For modern systems, enthusiasts recommend using emulation environments such as PCem or 86box rather than attempting to run the software natively or through wine/proton, which are better suited for Windows XP-era games and newer.¹⁵

Some users have reported that the game “works perfect in W10” through proper configuration, though results may vary depending on system configuration.¹⁶ Steam Deck users have reported significant difficulties running the game, with standard approaches through Lutris proving unsuccessful.¹⁵

Known Compatibility Issues:

• Windows XP: No sound in virtual city, unable to drive¹⁴
• Modern systems: Requires emulation (PCem or 86box recommended)¹⁵
• File format: Distributed as .bin and .cue files requiring mounting or conversion¹⁵
• One Amazon customer reported inability to play the game at all³

Vehicles Included

The game featured a diverse selection of vehicles to populate its virtual city, including both the player’s training vehicle and AI-controlled traffic. According to the Internet Games Cars Database, the following vehicles were modeled:¹⁷

Year	Make	Model	Category
1993	Ford	Escort	Driver Training Car
1997	Ford	Escort	Compact
1997	Ford	Crown Victoria	Police Car
1966	Ford	Mustang	Muscle Car
1995	Chevrolet	Lumina	Midsize
1971	Chevrolet	C-10	Pick-Up
1995	Dodge	Neon	Sub-Compact
-	Mazda	MX-5	Convertible
1991	Mazda	RX-7	Sports Car
1987	Toyota	Cressida	Family Sedan
-	SAAB	900	Sports Sedan
-	Nissan	Pathfinder	SUV
-	Plymouth	Breeze	Sedan
-	Blue Bird	All American	School Bus
-	Freightliner	FL-Series	Ambulance
-	Freightliner	FLB	Semi-trailer
-	Pierce	Saber	Firetruck

Notably, vehicles in the game were not damageable, reflecting the educational focus of the software.¹⁷

Easter Eggs and Trivia

• Money-Back Guarantee: The developers were so confident in the educational effectiveness of their program that Sierra offered a money-back guarantee—if users failed their driving test after completing the program, they could receive a full refund.⁶

• Middle School Memories: The game was commonly installed on middle school library computers, introducing many young users to driving concepts years before they were eligible for a learner’s permit.¹⁸

• Target Audience: Despite being aimed at teenagers preparing for their driver’s license, the program’s target age range included students as young as 11-13 years old, suggesting it was also used as a general educational tool about road safety.⁴

• Alternate Names: The program was sometimes referred to simply as “driversed” or “drivered” in software listings and user discussions.⁹

• First-Person Perspective: The game was noted as being “the only online driving game that lets you play from the perspective of an actual driver” as opposed to the overhead perspective common in many driving games of the era.¹³

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

While specific sales figures for Driver’s Education ‘98 are not available, the release of an enhanced 1999 edition suggests the original product performed well enough commercially to warrant continued development.⁷ The money-back guarantee marketing approach was unusual for software products of the era and likely contributed to consumer confidence in the product.⁶

The game represented Sierra’s commitment to educational software through their Discovery Series brand, though this product line would not continue much longer as the company shifted focus in subsequent years.⁴

Cultural Presence

Driver’s Education ‘98 developed a nostalgic following among those who used it during their youth. Reddit users have shared memories of playing the game on middle school library computers, noting how the software introduced them to driving concepts before they were old enough to actually obtain a license.¹⁸ The game’s presence in educational settings helped establish it as a shared cultural touchpoint for a generation of computer users.

Preservation Status

The game is considered abandonware and has been preserved through various online archives. The Internet Archive hosts a copy of the original 1998 version, uploaded in November 2019 by a user who noted they “couldn’t seem to find it anywhere” else.¹⁶ This preservation effort ensures the game remains accessible to those interested in retro computing or nostalgic revisits.

The game is not available on modern digital distribution platforms like Steam or GOG.¹⁹ Various abandonware and retro gaming websites offer downloads of the game, though users should be aware of the technical challenges involved in running Windows 98-era software on modern systems.⁷

Series Continuation

Driver’s Education ‘98 was followed by Driver’s Education ‘99, which offered improved graphics, additional driving simulations, and enhanced hardware support including force feedback devices.¹ The 1999 edition expanded the lesson count to 65 comprehensive lessons and maintained the complete testing coverage for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁹

The MobyGames entry for the sequel notes that similar to the original game, “the player can drive around in a virtual world with a virtual driving instructor (named ‘Driver’s Ed’). There is also virtual driving instruction and the ability to take sample written tests from each state.”⁵

Critical Perspective

Driver’s Education ‘98 occupies an interesting position in gaming history as an example of educational software that attempted to apply entertainment software production values to practical skill training. While it never achieved the cultural prominence of Sierra’s adventure game franchises, it represented the company’s broader ambitions in the educational software market during the late 1990s.

The game’s approach—combining theoretical knowledge with practical simulation—anticipated modern driver training methods that increasingly incorporate virtual reality and simulation technology. While the 1998 graphics and physics now appear primitive by contemporary standards, the fundamental pedagogical approach of allowing learners to practice in a safe, consequence-free environment remains sound.

Contemporary assessments praised the game for doing “exactly what it sets out to do: teaches driving in a safe environment without any risk of an accident.”⁷ This focused execution on educational goals, rather than attempting to compete with entertainment-focused racing games, allowed the software to fulfill its intended purpose effectively.

The money-back guarantee remains a notable marketing decision that demonstrated genuine confidence in the product’s educational value—a rarity in software publishing that speaks to the development team’s commitment to creating an effective learning tool rather than merely a profitable product.

Downloads

Download / Preservation

• Internet Archive – Driver’s Education ‘98 – Original 1998 version¹⁶
• Old-Games.com – Abandonware download⁷
• OldGamesDownload.com – Alternative download source²⁰

Note: This game is not available on Steam or GOG.¹⁹ Running on modern systems requires emulation software such as PCem or 86box.¹⁵

Series Continuity

Driver’s Education ‘98 was the first entry in Sierra’s Driver’s Education series, establishing the template of combining theoretical test preparation with practical 3D driving simulation. The game introduced the virtual instructor character “Ed” and the comprehensive state-by-state approach to driver education content that would continue in subsequent releases.⁵

The series demonstrated Dynamix’s ability to apply their simulation expertise beyond their traditional focus on flight and combat simulations, creating a driving simulation specifically designed for educational purposes rather than entertainment racing experiences.

• Next: 1998 - Driver’s Education ‘99

References

Footnotes

1. MobyGames – Driver’s Education ‘98 – development credits, technical specifications, genre classification ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸

2. Amazon – Driver’s Education ‘98 Product Listing – product description, two-products-in-one feature ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. Amazon – Customer Reviews – user ratings and review quotes ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

4. Free Game Downloads Archive – Discovery Series brand, state law customization, technical details ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹²

5. MobyGames – Driver’s Education ‘99 – virtual instructor “Ed” description, gameplay features ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

6. Old-Games.com – Driver’s Education ‘98 – money-back guarantee information ↩ ↩² ↩³

7. Old-Games.com – Game Description – educational assessment quote, version information, file sizes ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

8. LaunchBox Games Database – lesson content, game features, gameplay description ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

9. CrossOver Compatibility Database – lesson count, state coverage, hardware support, force feedback ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

10. SquakeNet Game Database – street symbol recognition, instructor character ↩ ↩²

11. GameFAQs – Driver’s Education ‘98 – user ratings, developer/publisher information ↩ ↩²

12. Giant Bomb – Driver’s Education ‘98 – user review score, release date ↩ ↩²

13. Driver’s Ed Guru – Product Reviews – first-person perspective notation ↩ ↩²

14. PC Review Forums – XP Compatibility – compatibility issues, resolution requirements ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

15. Steam Community – Technical Discussion – emulation recommendations, file format issues ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

16. Internet Archive – DRIVERED – preservation upload, Windows 10 compatibility note ↩ ↩² ↩³

17. IGCD – Vehicle Database – complete vehicle list, no damage modeling ↩ ↩²

18. Reddit r/retrogaming – middle school library installations, user memories ↩ ↩²

19. Steam Store Search – game not available on Steam ↩ ↩²

20. OldGamesDownload.com – download availability, file size information ↩