Traditional teaching of laryngoscopy is difficult due to the trainer and trainee lacking a shared view. The Karl Storz BERCI DCI Video Laryngoscope provides a video image for the trainer and a direct view identical to that of a standard laryngoscope for the trainee. Forty-nine novice subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 24) taught using a standard Macintosh laryngoscope or a study group (n = 25) taught using the Video Laryngoscope. Following training all subjects were assessed using a standard laryngoscope. Under simulated difficult airway conditions the study group performed better in terms of number of attempts (p = 0.02), number of repositioning manoeuvres required (p = 0.046) and teeth trauma (p = 0.034). The study group were more confident of the success of their tube placement (p = 0.035), found it easier than the control group (p = 0.042) and had improved knowledge of airway anatomy (p = 0.011). We conclude that video laryngoscopy confers benefits in the teaching of tracheal intubation.