---
title: "VR Is Helping Driving Schools Train Better Instructors: TDS"
description: "Welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or TDS for short, *The Drive’s* morning automotive news roundup, bringing you the biggest headlines from around the globe."
date: "2026-07-16"
modified: "2026-07-16"
authors:
  - name: "Andrew P. Collins"
    job_title: "Executive Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/andrew-p-collins"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/vr-is-helping-driving-schools-train-better-instructors-tds"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "The Downshift"
---

# VR Is Helping Driving Schools Train Better Instructors: TDS

![Driving instructor in training dons VR headset.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AA-Driving-School.jpg>)
*\<em\>Automobile Association (UK)\</em\>*

Welcome to *[The Downshift](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/the-downshift>)*, or TDS for short, *The Drive’s* morning automotive news roundup, bringing you the biggest headlines from around the globe.

*The Downshift* sums up stories in short blurbs with links to the source for the full report. Here's the news worth catching up on for Thursday, July 16, 2026.

🎓 A driving school (normal driving, not racing) is using VR headsets to better train its trainers, blurring the line between classroom and in-car training. *\[[Reuters](<https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW844316072026RP1/#:~:text=Using%20Meta's%20Quest%203%20headsets,Kristy%20Kilburn%20reports.>)\]*

🛤️ Footage from the cockpit of a train plowing through Canadian wildfires is absolutely horrifying. *\[[AP News](<https://apnews.com/video/train-crew-in-canada-surrounded-by-intense-flames-95b0baa927354a4bbb2704a068f37933>)\]*

💰 The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is getting $6,300 cheaper—the 2026 model starts at $61,500. *\[[Car and Driver](<https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a71993675/2026-hyundai-ioniq-5-n-price-cut/>)\]*

⚡ *Autocar* test-drove a prototype of the Range Rover Sport EV, which is reportedly "coming soon." *\[[Autocar](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/driven-range-rover-sport-electric-great-without-v8>)\]*

👷 *Road & Track* got to test-drive an odd two-seat cargo/commercial variant of the Toyota Land Cruiser *\[[Road & Track](<https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a71806149/toyota-land-cruiser-commercial-cargo-rig/>)\]*

🦘 Australians shared owner experiences and impressions of BYDs, as the Chinese electric cars are soaring in popularity Down Under. *\[[Drive.com.au](<https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/are-byd-cars-reliable/>)\]*

🚙 Infiniti QX80 Red Sport, the brand's upcoming huge high-performance SUV, is being delayed so it can be better dialed in to take on rivals. Specifically, Mercedes-AMG. *\[[Automotive News](<https://www.autonews.com/news/an-infiniti-redraws-qx80-red-sport-0714/>)\]*

*Got a tip or feedback for TDS? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com*

[](<https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail>)

## Author
As Executive Editor, Andrew touches everything on the site from daily news coverage to feature stories, sponsored content, product reviews, road testing vehicles, ecommerce, and more. He's held pretty much every role there is to have at an automotive news site and has been with The Drive's publisher Recurrent since 2020. Andrew's a lifetime gearhead and longtime writer with a particularly strong penchant for road trips, off-road adventures, and archaic vehicles. His passions outside of the automotive world include skiing, obsolete video games, and his dog Bramble who occationally helps review cars.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/andrewatlarge>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpetercollins/>)