It can be intimidating to drive a van as a first-time driver. Driving a van is completely different from driving a car. It’s important to keep safety in mind when you are taking your first test drive. A van is much larger and more difficult to maneuver than a vehicle. This becomes even more important if it is a branded van for a company or other trade van that you are driving for work purposes.
Photo by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash
Driving Fundamentals
If you’re driving a car, then you should have already passed your driving test. So, the fundamentals of driving are in place. It takes both patience and practice to make it feel like driving a car. When you need Used Vans for sale Birmingham, visit https://cotswoldvancentre.co.uk/buy/used-vans-for-sale/birmingham/
Running through the same safety checks as a car
Safety Checks
You should do the same checks for safety as you would if you were in a car. For example, you must check your seat height and mirror placement. You may also have to worry about equipment that you need to transport to another location or for a specific job. You may attach racks to the back of the van to increase space and decrease the risk.
Extra accessories that improve visibility
Enhance Your Vantage Point
You can also get other accessories for your van that will make driving easier, like additional mirrors, which give you a clear view of surrounding traffic and roads.
Adjusting to a van’s size and power
Size and Power
As soon as you start driving, you will notice the difference between your van’s size and power compared to other vehicles on the road. Here’s where you need to use your driving basics: be alert, react, and take extra caution when needed. You can’t reach the same speeds as a car so you should keep an eye on your speedometer.
Loading a van within the law
Driving a van well also means loading it correctly. Every van has a weight limit that depends on the model and engine, and it applies whether or not the van looks full. Check the allowance and the weight of what you are carrying before you set off.
Anything that can move should be secured. Small items slide about in a sudden stop, and a heavy load that shifts or escapes through the doors can cause serious injury, so carry spare ratchet straps and use them. Loose bottles, flasks and phones in the cabin can also do damage in an emergency stop.
Paperwork matters as much as the load. Keep insurance details up to date and tell your insurer about changes, since failing to do so can invalidate the policy. Make sure drivers have received safety training, that vehicle checks are current, and that servicing is done by a garage you trust.
Safe habits for hired vans
If you are hiring a van rather than driving one every day, spend a few minutes getting to know it before setting off. Adjust the seat and mirrors until you feel in control, and find the lights, wipers, indicators and handbrake, as their position varies from one vehicle to another. Many vans have no rear window, so you will rely entirely on the door mirrors.
Load the van carefully. Stay within the maximum payload, spread the weight evenly, put heavy items low down and towards the front of the load area, and secure everything so it can’t move when you brake or corner. A loaded van takes longer to stop and leans more on bends, so leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front and take corners more slowly. Check the van’s height before you set off, and watch for low bridges, car park barriers and drive-throughs. When reversing, ask someone to guide you if you can.
Licence rules, controls and fuel in a hire van
Before getting behind the wheel, check that your licence covers the vehicle. Any adult with a UK category B licence can drive a car or van weighing no more than 3,500kg and carrying no more than eight passengers, which takes in most hire vans.
Modern vans have dashboards, gearboxes and power steering much like a car, so the driving itself feels familiar. The difference is size. If you have not driven one before, spend a few minutes in a car park getting used to the higher seat, the mirrors and the van’s length and width. Find the wipers, lights and other controls before you set off, as they may not be where you expect.
On the road, leave more room than usual when overtaking or manoeuvring, and expect cornering to feel different with weight in the back. Vans use a little more fuel than most cars. A full tank usually covers a local move, but watch the gauge on longer journeys or repeated trips.
Summary
This article gives tips for first-time van drivers, noting driving a van differs significantly from driving a car, especially for branded or trade vans used for work. It covers relying on existing driving fundamentals, running the same safety checks as in a car such as seat height and mirror placement, using accessories like extra mirrors for visibility, and adjusting to a van’s size and power.
Questions this article raises
- What additional insurance considerations apply specifically to trade vans?
- How much longer does it typically take to become comfortable driving a van?
- Which extra mirrors make the biggest difference for blind spots?