American Truck Simulator v1.55 Open Beta introduces new Driving Academy scenarios

A new Open Beta branch is available to try in American Truck Simulator now, introducing a host of new features.

Check out all of the new items below.

Driving Academy updates

The headline feature of the v1.55 beta is the new ‘Truck Driving Proficiency’ module, forming part of the game’s Driving Academy mode.

This adds a series of far more challenging driving missions to the game, with a tiered list of rewards available for fulfilling the most difficult test criteria. Handily, tutorial videos are also available to demonstrate how to complete each fiendishly difficult task.

Truck updates

The fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia and the Kenworth T680 have both been overhauled for v1.55, including cabin updates, new paint schemes and more customisation options.

Farm Machinery DLC update

Players who own the Farm Machinery DLC will be able to haul the new windrower cargo type. The free addition comes in two colourways and takes advantage of the game’s new cargo system.

Paintable FlowBelow parts

US-based company FlowBelow designs and manufactures aerodynamic parts specifically to be fitted between truck axles. This reduces drag and makes trucks more fuel efficient. 

In v1.55, ATS players are able to paint these to match the overall design of their truck, adding an extra slice of customisation to the game.

Custom city intros

Part of ATS’ grand plan to introduce custom city intros for all its maps, the New Mexico cities of    Farmington, Las Cruces, Roswell and Santa Fe all get special treatment in v1.55.

Asynchronous loading and other improvements

ATS’ loading times have been improved in v1.55 thanks to the addition of a new asynchronous loading system. Also, the mail screen has been redesigned for better accessibility, the game’s Steam achievements have been adjusted and there are several new UI-based quality-of-life improvements.

The full changelog can be found below.

To sample ATS’ v1.55 Open Beta, right-click on the game icon in your Steam Library, select ‘Properties’, then ‘Betas’ and pick the ‘Public Beta 1.55’ option.

Have you tried American Truck Simulator’s v1.55 Open Beta yet? Let us know in the comments below.

American Truck Simulator Open Beta v1.55 changelog

Gameplay

• Driving Academy – Truck Driving Proficiency
• Map Improvements – “My Location” Hotkey

Map

• New additional content for the Nebraska DLC – US-20, US-81, US-75 & the settlement of Laurel 

Vehicles

• Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia Update
• Kenworth T680 Update
• FlowBelow Painted Parts
• Farm Machinery DLC Update 

Visual

• Custom city intros for New Mexico
• Mail UXAmerican Truck Simulator v.155 Open Beta introduces truck updates and new Driving Academy scenarios redesign
• Options QoL Improvements – Graphics settings visualisation

Other

• Steam achievements update with text and icon improvements
• Save manager improvements
• Asynchronous loading

Source: SCS Software