BeamNG.drive’s Innovative New Career Mode

Ever since the 0.26 update that introduced the career mode back in 2023, there has been a plethora of updates to BeamNG.drive's career mode. But how do you access it? Is it good in its current form?


An unfortunate delivery experience.

How To Access BeamNG’s Career Mode​

For many BeamNG players, career mode is just the blank grey button on the main menu. However, the worst-kept secret on the forums used to be how to get beyond that button. Now you simply have to click the button and you are into the mode.

Many users simply stumble across how to access it, while others go out of their way to discover the new mode. Regardless of how you find it, it’s a quirky implementation from the developers to create real, genuine feedback from dedicated players of BeamNG


The new main menu career mode icon.

BeamNG’s Career Mode Tutorial​

As in any game, the tutorial is the first step on the ladder. You will be greeted with a base model Ibishu Covet and taught the basic controls of the game. Whilst not the most exciting section of any play-through, if you do happen to be brand new to the game, it is worth completing. Even if you aren’t new, having it ticked off is worth it for the 100% completion score at the end.


The first tutorial screen you will be greeted with in the new tutorial

Once you have entered your Covet you are asked to crash it, in classic BeamNG style, as hard as you can into a static object in the car park. Once completed, you’ll be shown the screen to explain how the built-in insurance and towing services work. These additions are a key aspect for the career mode mobbing forward.

Dealerships and Purchasing Cars​

Following the tutorial, you will be asked to drive to the nearest car dealership, Quarryside Auto Sales, in your newly repaired Covet. There, you will exit the car and walk through the doors of the dealership. Choosing your first car for your career mode is always a hard decision, but the rear-wheel drive 200BX and the All-wheel drive I-Series are both hot picks right now.


You can choose one of these three cars for your first vehicle

Before you choose your car, or any car in the future, make sure to check the mileage and the condition. Taking a test drive before you buy the car is a fantastic feature that allows you to see if the car is for you. This is especially important when purchasing trucks and lorries.

When buying a truck, make sure that the milage is not really high, there can be mechanical problems that you will then have to fix. Make sure you try to find the limit of turning for your truck whilst it is moving. The T-series below has gone over that limit!


Worst case scenario for this T-series delivering fuel to one of the many fuel stations around the West Coast USA map.

When going to buy a used car from one of the many dealerships around the West Coast USA map, always make sure you remember that sales tax and dealership fees are included. This realistic addition makes you feel exactly like a real car dealership does, out of pocket and ripped off.

Career Mode Disciplines​

BeamNG creates a much more diverse world compared to other career modes. Other racing titles mostly focus on the ‘Championship’ aspect, and it is all about winning and nothing else. But not in BeamNG. Everything from tuning to new-car sales tax is simulated.


The four career mode disciplines offer a variety of challenges.

Career mode spans four separate pathways to which you can dedicate your playthrough. If you’re more of a Jack of all trades, however, you can move between pathways at any time.

Motorsport gives the player the option of AI races, dirt track hill climbs, drag races and much more.

Labourer re-enacts the life of delivery drivers. Deliver everything from expensive cars to your neighbour’s moving-in boxes.

Specialized Act as a police officer or as a criminal in a multitude of police chases, for both sides of the law.

Adventurer Fancy launching cannonballs towards a group of unsuspecting pigeons and wigeons? Well, the Adventure mode is for you! With more casual fun, the adventure mode is there just to have some fun with.

Garage and Car Damages​

Whilst driving to events or free-roaming the map, accidents happen. But don’t close the game just yet. The towing service can return your car to your garage where you can pay to have your car repaired. Regardless of the damage, you can try to continue, but towing is highly recommended to avoid causing more damage.


Hill-climb spec Pessima involved in a big traffic collision.

The price depends on the amount if damage caused. If you simply pinged a hub cap off or a small dent in the rear bumper, your price will be minuet. However, if you happen to have a bigger accident and damage some major components, you could be looking at a repair bill in the thousands.

In its current state, the repairs return your car to the condition you bought it in. Further down the content plan, the addition of permanently damaged panels is being called for as well as other permanent consequences of crashing.


Repair costs for the Pessima's crash

The only difference between the quick repair and the normal repair currently is that the car is immediately finished as opposed to having to wait 1 minute for the normal repair time. A better use of these options would be a partial repair service to save some money. Unpainted body panel replacements and steel wheels instead of alloys would be a fantastic addition to car repairs.

Does BeamNG Need a Storyline to Succeed?​

If this thought has crossed your mind, you are not the only one. Interestingly, BeamNG experimented with the idea of a story mode through comic book-style depictions of the Utah map with multiple scenarios. A stuntman-style set of scenarios with a decked-out bus on the set of a movie resembling SPEED was also included. These ‘Campaigns’ were ultimately met with a lukewarm response from the community.


BeamNG's Campaign comic strip. Image: BeamNG

Ultimately, a storyline is not a necessity. Especially as the game has no playable or referenced characters outside of those in the Utah campaign missions. Having the cars as individual entities would certainly not work and make the game seem childish, totally undermining the hard work the developers have put into such a detailed simulator.

So Much More to Come!​

BeamNG.Drive‘s career mode has much more to offer. Remember, this mode is in early access. This can only be positive for an already blooming title that, don’t forget, has been one of the best-performing racing and driving games on Steam month in and month out for the whole year of 2024.


If you want more BeamNG.drive content, check out our article on the new 0.33 game update or check out the video above for all you need to know about this game’s many secrets!

Thinking about giving BeamNG.drive’s career mode a try? Let us know how you get on down in the comments below!