BeamNG.drive is already one of the most immersive driving simulators out there but in VR, it takes realism to a whole new level. You’re no longer just driving the car; you’re inside it. Every roll, crash, and curve hits harder when you’re in the driver’s seat, head turning with the road. But unlike some sims, VR in BeamNG is still experimental. It’s powerful, but not plug-and-play. This guide walks you through everything you need to get it working right from headset setup to performance tuning so you can get the most out of BeamNG in virtual reality.
1. VR Compatibility & System Requirements
BeamNG.drive supports VR through OpenXR, but it’s not fully polished — yet. Before diving in, it’s important to make sure your hardware is up to the task.
Supported VR Headsets
If your headset supports PC VR and OpenXR, you’re in good shape. The following devices are known to work:
- Meta Quest / Quest 2 / Quest Pro / Quest 3 (via Link or Air Link)
- Oculus Rift / Rift S
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive / Vive Pro
- HP Reverb G2
- Pimax (5K/8K series)
- Varjo (with correct runtime)
Note: Windows Mixed Reality headsets (like Samsung Odyssey) aren’t natively compatible due to BeamNG’s use of the Vulkan graphics API. You’ll need to use a bridge like OpenXR-Vk-D3D12 or run it through SteamVR.
Minimum & Recommended Specs
VR is demanding — especially in a physics-heavy simulator like BeamNG. Here’s what you’ll need for a playable experience:
Minimum:
- GPU: GTX 1070 or better with at least 8 GB of VRAM
- CPU: Intel i5-8400 / Ryzen 5 2600
- RAM: 16 GB
- OS: Windows 10 or 11
- Storage: SSD strongly recommended
Recommended:
- GPU: RTX 3060 / RX 6800 XT or higher with 10 GB VRAM
- CPU: Intel i7 / Ryzen 7 series
- Stable USB or 5GHz Wi-Fi (for wireless headsets)
2. Preparing Your VR Headset for BeamNG
Before launching the game, your headset needs to be fully ready — drivers installed, connected, and correctly configured for OpenXR.
Device Setup
- Install or update your headset’s drivers and companion software (Meta, SteamVR, etc.).
- Make sure your headset is properly connected — either with a cable (USB-C / DisplayPort) or via a strong wireless link.
- Test that it works with another VR title to confirm it’s recognized by your PC.
Choosing the Right OpenXR Runtime
BeamNG uses OpenXR to handle all VR input and rendering. You need to tell your system which runtime to use:
- Meta Quest / Rift:
- Open the Meta software
- Go to Settings > General
- Click “Set Meta Quest Link as active OpenXR runtime”
- Valve Index / HTC Vive / WMR (via SteamVR):
- Launch SteamVR
- Go to Settings > OpenXR
- Click “Set SteamVR as OpenXR Runtime”
- Pimax / Varjo / Virtual Desktop:
- Make sure you’re using a recent runtime version
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully
3. Enabling VR Mode in BeamNG
VR in BeamNG isn’t enabled by default. You’ll need to toggle it manually — but once done, you’ll enter a fully immersive cockpit.
In-Game VR Setup
Once your headset is ready and OpenXR is set:
- Launch BeamNG.drive.
- Go to Options > Display > VR.
- Toggle VR to ON.
- (Optional) Set “Use VR controllers” to ON or OFF depending on whether you want to see your VR hands in the cabin.
- Use “Center view” or press
Ctrl + Numpad 5to align your in-game camera.
Your headset should activate and mirror the game view. If nothing happens, make sure SteamVR or Oculus Link is running before launching BeamNG.
Launch Troubleshooting
If you see a black screen or flat mode:
- Enable NumLock — it’s required for numpad controls.
- Check focus — VR might steal the window focus; click back into BeamNG.
- Reboot SteamVR/Oculus and BeamNG if detection fails.
- Disable interfering software (OBS, Reshade, etc.).
Tip: If your camera feels off — floating too high or low — recenter using Ctrl + Numpad 5 and make sure you’re in Driver view (C key).
4. Performance Optimization
VR is only fun when it’s smooth. If your framerate drops or things look choppy, your immersion will break — or worse, you might get motion sickness.
Here’s how to dial in performance:
Adjust Graphics Settings
Start with these game settings under Options > Graphics:
- Lighting: Set to Lowest to prevent common VR crashes.
- Shadows: Lower to reduce GPU load.
- Reflections: Minimal or off — big impact on performance.
- VR Resolution: In Options > Display > VR, scale it down if needed (e.g. 0.8x or 80%).
Also check your headset software (Meta, SteamVR, etc.) for:
- Supersampling or pixels-per-display-pixel settings. Set to 1.0 or lower for smoother results.
If your GPU is close to maxing out VRAM (check via Task Manager > Performance > GPU), expect stutters or even crashes.
Avoid Incompatible Tools
The following apps are known to break VR or hurt performance:
- Reshade – often blocks VR launch entirely
- OBS – injects extra Vulkan layers, raising VRAM use
- OXR Toolkit (older versions) – crash risk
- VorpX, LIV, VirtualDesktop overlays – may conflict with OpenXR
Disable or uninstall these if you hit crashes or visual glitches.
Understand Framerate Behavior
VR doesn’t behave like regular gaming:
- If your headset refresh rate is 90Hz, your minimum FPS determines the final output.
- Can’t hold 90? BeamNG drops you to 45 and uses reprojection to fake the rest.
- If even 45 can’t be held, it might run unlocked — which can be uncomfortable.
Keep reprojection enabled unless you’re troubleshooting artifacts. It’s your safety net.
5. VR Controllers: What Works and What Doesn’t
BeamNG’s VR controller support is limited — don’t expect to drive or navigate menus with your hands.
What You Can Do
- Interact with physical elements inside vehicles:
- Door handles
- Trailer hitches
- Toggle switches (in supported vehicles)
These actions add realism, especially in roleplay or scenario-based gameplay.
What You Can’t Do
- No support for using motion controllers to:
- Steer the wheel
- Press UI buttons
- Navigate menus or settings
- Interact with in-game gadgets like you would in a full VR sim (e.g., Boneworks)
This is not a hand-tracking or motion-controlled driving sim — you’ll still need a gamepad, keyboard, or wheel/pedal setup for full control.
Tips
- If you find the floating controller models distracting:
- Go to Options > Display > VR
- Toggle “Use VR controllers” → OFF
6. Troubleshooting Common Problems
VR adds complexity — and things can go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to solve them.
Tracking, Stuttering, or Crashes
- Headset stutters / drops FPS
→ Lower in-game graphics & headset resolution
→ Close other apps using GPU (OBS, browsers, overlays) - Crashes when driving (Valve Index users)
→ Temporary fix: set Lighting to Lowest - Visual artifacts or image freezing
→ Disable any third-party VR tools (e.g., Reshade, OXR Toolkit, VirtualDesktop)
Camera Misalignment (Floating Above the Car)
- If you’re too high/low or not aligned:
- Press
Ctrl + Numpad 5to recenter - Make sure you’re in Driver View (
Ckey) - Disable conflicting camera mods or third-party OpenXR layers
- Press
VR Sickness & Comfort Fixes
BeamNG’s motion can be intense — especially with crashes and sharp turns.
Tips to reduce discomfort:
- Use Snap Turn instead of smooth turn (
Options > Display > VR) - Avoid lateral motion like drifting too close to objects
- Keep framerate stable inconsistency is the main trigger for nausea
- Play in short sessions until you build your VR tolerance
Conclusion
BeamNG.drive in VR is raw, powerful, and absolutely worth trying as long as you know what you’re stepping into.
It’s not a polished plug-and-play experience. You’ll need to tweak settings, manage performance, and accept some limitations. But when it works, it’s unmatched. The weight of every crash, the depth of each downhill corner, the instinct to look into a turn VR doesn’t just add immersion, it changes how you drive.
Whether you’re into soft-body physics, high-speed realism, or just want to throw a truck down a mountain in first-person, BeamNG in VR delivers a kind of brutal beauty you won’t find anywhere else.
So set up your gear, dial in your settings, and take the wheel because once you try BeamNG in VR, going back to flat screen won’t feel the same.
