If you haven’t driven a van before, then it’s perfectly understandable if you feel a bit worried about getting behind the wheel of one, particularly if it is a lot larger then what you are used to driving. However, most aspects of driving a van are no more difficult then they would be in a normal car, saying that though, it’s not all the same.
Don’t expect it to be all plane sailing though, no matter how much knowledge and skill you have from driving a car, it is a different set of skills that need to be used to drive a van, so you might feel like a learner when you get behind the wheel. So, you might have to get use to things, particularly if it is a lot larger then your car.
Things You Should Do Before Your Journey
You might be hiring a van to help you move large furniture, or you’ve decided to get a van to help you with your job, the first thing that you should make sure you do, is check that your insurance is all good. You need to make sure that you have the correct van insurance. If you haven’t already sorted your van insurance out, then you could always check out this commercial van insurance to see what you should be getting.
Once you have the correct van insurance sorted then it’s time to get comfortable with your van. You should be able to do safety checks and adjustments. Make sure that your mirrors are at the right angle for you to see as much as you can. You should also make sure that your driver’s seat is in the correct position. Lastly, you need to make sure that you familiarise yourself with the dashboard. Make sure you know where the headlights are and the indicators etc…
On the Road
Once you feel ready to drive, it’s time to get that car out on the road. If you want to take things slow then you could also take the van to a large car park and practice, there for a little bit. Only head out onto the road when you feel comfortable enough to do so. You should make sure that you get use to the way that the van drives as it will be different to a car.
For starters, although having some driving skills will be beneficial, you will probably find that the van reacts differently on the road compared to your car. So, you should make sure that you feel comfortable driving a van before a long journey. You might have to take corners a lot slower, and you will probably find that the stopping distance is a bit longer then normal, so you should take extra care when breaking.
Know Your Speed
When you are comfortably driving on the road, you should make sure that you know what speeds you are allowed to do, as vans sometimes have a limit on them. You don’t want to end up with a speeding ticket just because you didn’t know the rules. If you aren’t too sure, then a quick google search will help you come up with the speed limit, so make sure you learn it.
These are only a few tips to help you get out and about whilst driving on the road. The most important thing though is that you feel comfortable whilst driving, so make sure you practice a little bit before you go on a really long journey. If you are interested in a bit more information, then this article can give you some tips on staying safe behind the wheel.
