The recent development of lower cost 3D graphics systems has led to a rising interest in the use of visual simulation techniques for driver education, training and evaluation. So far, the most common approach has been to develop an active driving environment, in which the student, trainee or tested subject is able to drive him/herself through a set of driving situations. These ‘driving simulators’ may be useful to introduce or check practical driving skills. However, they have some limitations, especially when they are seen from the point of view of small driving schools and other possible applications like traffic education in primary or secondary schools. The major problem with driving simulators is related to their cost, still too high for most schools. A second question that still needs some answers refers to the validity and utility of the knowledge acquired by using these simulators and its relation to the skills required in a real driving task. A different approach to the use of visual simulation in driving education contexts, that does not exclude the former one, is described in this paper. SIVAS (‘system for driver education based on visual simulation’) is a set of computer programs that allow the designers to create the three-dimensional scenery and dynamics of typical driving situations, and the driving school teacher to use these situations as a flexible, interactive and powerful tool for teaching. The system extends the features of existing audiovisual teaching mate rials such as videotapes, slides and multimedia programs. The teacher’s program uses inexpensive equipment; a personal computer and a television screen.