Can I deduct this as an expense on my taxes as a CDL Student?

I played those simulators as a kid, not even close to actually driving, even with a wheel and pedals.

 

Do you have a cdl?

if so, it could be a write off, could be but you got to ask an EA accountant.

That said, if your goal is to further your education and experience, the best thing is to actually drive a truck and do the hands on work.

 

I understand where you’re coming from, and with how advanced simulators can be, I would have to disagree. The air force/navy utilizes simulators constantly, and while driving simulators may not be as advanced or expensive, they do offer the opportunity to open your mind and give an experience as close to reality, that does translate into the real world.

It is situational on the settings you have enabled (handicaps) and the equipment you have. At the end of the day I believe the practices and muscle memory are just what you would experience in the real world, double shifting / floating , backing - line of sights, set up orientations and turns ( drifting ) etc, it’s actually be recommended to me by a number of Linehaul and OTR drivers, I’m not saying that it would be effective for me 100%, or anyone for that matter, I just believe that it is an asset to familiarize yourself with the equipment and practices, clearly the actual act of driving 80,000lbs and sitting at home with a driving simulator are…not the same…

no disrespect, 100% understand where you’re coming from.


I guess that opens a good point for discussion, how do you all feel about using these kinds of resources to learn?

 

Yeah, doing that as we speak. Just thought about doing it in tandem.

 

I have a racing seat, G27 wheel, Euro Truck, and American Truck Simulator. The ONLY thing these "tools" will teach you is bad habits. There's nothing in those games that translates to real life. Not going forwards, backwards, turning, nothing. The braking is especially off, even with an aftermarket pedal with a dedicated master cylinder.

There's a reason simulators are a million dollars, and games are fifty.

That being said, I always cheer when someone manages to screw the IRS, so I hope it works for you. Maybe come back and update the thread?

 

Have you played it? I have the original Spintires and Mud Runner, but I haven't bought the new one yet. Honestly, those games are fun as hell.

Hey, since I played them, do you think I could hop into a logging truck?

 

This is honestly the reply I was looking for ahahaha.

I appreciate it, I won’t take the sims so seriously, I thought, if it could be used as a potential asset in my development then why not?

I’m going to buy the set ups regardless because I play a ton of Gran Turismo 7, an excuse to write it off for a $50 sim seems like a win win and if the sim actually helps then, triple win. LOL.
Thank you,

 

If you can stomach the subscription, check out iRacing. Nothing comes close.

 

Yup! All you gotta do is pull into the yellow square, and the logs fall from the sky and land on your trailer already strapped.

 

I have no idea about stimulators, and I’ll tell you first hand being in this since 1979, no stimulator will come close, basically a write off in your books. At least your one step ahead on screwing Uncle Sam, basically throwing money away if you asked me…..