How to drive a van?
Discussion
Go slower, and go deeper into tighter corners and turn later with more steering than you would in a short car. Look at how HGVs do 90 degree bends without pulling their trailer wheels over the pavement. You need to drive it like a longer vehicle rather than a little hatchback.
When pulling up to junctions that aren't right angles, be prepared to come to a halt and steer yourself close to right angles so you can see out to your left. You can't look over your left shoulder in a van so you need to position the vehicle so you can see what you need from the windows you do have.
When reversing, if you're reversing without steering lock on and there's daylight between the stuff behind you and the side of your van in the mirrors, you won't hit that stuff. It'll have bleepy reverse parking sensors almost certainly - but don't look for a 3rd party's car to prove that
When pulling up to junctions that aren't right angles, be prepared to come to a halt and steer yourself close to right angles so you can see out to your left. You can't look over your left shoulder in a van so you need to position the vehicle so you can see what you need from the windows you do have.
When reversing, if you're reversing without steering lock on and there's daylight between the stuff behind you and the side of your van in the mirrors, you won't hit that stuff. It'll have bleepy reverse parking sensors almost certainly - but don't look for a 3rd party's car to prove that
Pica-Pica said:
pills said:
Can you drive that without a class C1 licence?
My thoughts too. A new driver nowadays will only be legally able to drive up to 3500kg Gross Vehicle Mass unless a further test is taken. Check the GVM.
Pica-Pica said:
pills said:
Can you drive that without a class C1 licence?
My thoughts too. A new driver nowadays will only be legally able to drive up to 3500kg Gross Vehicle Mass unless a further test is taken. Check the GVM.Edited by VS02 on Monday 14th June 14:17
Pica-Pica said:
king arthur said:
It'll be a 3.5t van so yes you can drive it without C1.
The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
It may be 3.5t or it may be more, the only way is to check.The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
Don’t worry about it and don’t overthink it either.
Driving a van is easy, just remember that they can take a little while longer to come to a stop and they don’t go around tight corners or roundabouts as easily as your car (they tend to understeer a bit). Just take your time and you’ll be fine.
Do a few circuits of the works yard first to get used to the new driving position and auto box (just weld your left foot to the floor and do all braking and accelerating with your right foot - you will forget once or twice and end up head-butting the windscreen
but that’s normal for someone who’s never driven an auto before.
Reversing is all about your mirrors (you’ll probably have a camera to help which makes it even easier). Again slow and steady wins the race.
Keep an eye on your width and height would be your main concern but Waitrose vans are not that big that it should pose problems depending on where your drops are - i also imagine that the routes are written in a way to avoid width and height restrictions so just be wary if you wander off-piste.
Good luck, you’ll be fine.
Oh, eta, I think Waitrose vans have trackers and telemetry recorders so don’t get overconfident and end up driving like a dick or you’ll soon be driving for someone else!
Driving a van is easy, just remember that they can take a little while longer to come to a stop and they don’t go around tight corners or roundabouts as easily as your car (they tend to understeer a bit). Just take your time and you’ll be fine.
Do a few circuits of the works yard first to get used to the new driving position and auto box (just weld your left foot to the floor and do all braking and accelerating with your right foot - you will forget once or twice and end up head-butting the windscreen
but that’s normal for someone who’s never driven an auto before.Reversing is all about your mirrors (you’ll probably have a camera to help which makes it even easier). Again slow and steady wins the race.
Keep an eye on your width and height would be your main concern but Waitrose vans are not that big that it should pose problems depending on where your drops are - i also imagine that the routes are written in a way to avoid width and height restrictions so just be wary if you wander off-piste.
Good luck, you’ll be fine.
Oh, eta, I think Waitrose vans have trackers and telemetry recorders so don’t get overconfident and end up driving like a dick or you’ll soon be driving for someone else!
Edited by valiant on Monday 14th June 14:20
Edited by valiant on Monday 14th June 14:21
buggalugs said:
Main thing switching to auto is not to stamp on the brake with your left foot thinking it's the clutch!
This.Folding your left leg backwards for the first few days will help you get used to Auto. Needing only one leg is weird to begin with.
My first job was as a van driver in London at 17. I asked to use the van on the Sunday before I started on the Monday to get used to it.... which helped. Not sure if they'd allow that these days, but might be worth an ask.
After a week, you'll be fine. Take it easy in that first week.
Watch for car drivers assuming you're slow because big van and pulling out on you at junctions. Watch especially for cyclists/mopeds diving into your blind spots especially when turning/reversing. Also change lanes slowly and carefully on motorways etc you'll be amazed how many times you start a l3>L2 then have to react to a car swerving into your blind spot from L1 after you've indicated and started the move.
Fast Bug said:
Pica-Pica said:
king arthur said:
It'll be a 3.5t van so yes you can drive it without C1.
The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
It may be 3.5t or it may be more, the only way is to check.The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
Be fine don't stress
Just take it steady and watch clipping the rear wheels. If you are ever unsure what's behind you, stop get out and check
They have parking sensors I imagine
I doubt you will have to parallel park much, just pull up on peoples drives
Youll get used it it after a day of driving, chill
Just take it steady and watch clipping the rear wheels. If you are ever unsure what's behind you, stop get out and check
They have parking sensors I imagine
I doubt you will have to parallel park much, just pull up on peoples drives
Youll get used it it after a day of driving, chill
Pica-Pica said:
Fast Bug said:
Pica-Pica said:
king arthur said:
It'll be a 3.5t van so yes you can drive it without C1.
The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
It may be 3.5t or it may be more, the only way is to check.The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
I can’t imagine they’ll have some plated higher
All good advice above and I'd echo the sentiment about not overthinking it, as you'll find it'll probably be surprisingly easy to drive. Just take it steady, leave plenty of room round corners and remember it's big!
The other thing to remember when reversing is to look up as well as down at bumper level.
Otherwise you could potentially be reversing up to someone's garage in one, confident that you have plenty of space behind the rear bumper, but forgetting about the overhanging guttering, and driving smack into it.
Or so I've heard...
The other thing to remember when reversing is to look up as well as down at bumper level.
Otherwise you could potentially be reversing up to someone's garage in one, confident that you have plenty of space behind the rear bumper, but forgetting about the overhanging guttering, and driving smack into it.
Or so I've heard...
Pica-Pica said:
Fast Bug said:
Pica-Pica said:
king arthur said:
It'll be a 3.5t van so yes you can drive it without C1.
The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
It may be 3.5t or it may be more, the only way is to check.The thing you will probably do the most at first is to keep catching the rear wheel on kerbs when turning out of junctions. Sometimes you will need to wait until both directions are clear so you can swing right out, which you don't need to in a car.
Parking shouldn't be too hard, you find that the large mirrors are hugely more useful than normal car mirrors.
Ron240 said:
Pica-Pica said:
only way is to check the plated GVM.
I noticed you have used the term "GVM" more than once, so I'm just wondering if you are Australian?The reason i ask is because GVM is commonly used in Australia, but GVW is much more common in the UK.
https://www.ford.co.uk/owner/resources-and-support...
Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 14th June 15:14
Fast Bug said:
That will be 3.5t GVW
A lot of these home delivery vans are built by Paneltex in Hull, they go to pretty extreme lengths to maximise carrying capacity whilst remaining under 3500Kg. The Morrisons/Ocado ones have no passenger seat, no spare wheel/jack etc, no underbonnet noise insulation, lightweight michelin tyres. Some colleagues from aero industry did a weight reduction analysis of the actual body & came up with , if memory serves, something like an extra 80kg that could be trimmed from it. They are always battling weight increases in the chassis cab due to emissions kit etc. The one in the picture may be one of theirs as it has the side repeaters in the wings rather than the mirrors (which are special cheapened versions due to regularity with which they get broken)The fact you've asked the question in the first place suggests to me you probably have the right attitude to deal with this.
Just keep checking your side mirrors, more so than you probably do already. It's easy to cut corners accidentally and this will help awareness of where you've placed the van on the road (vs the pavement!).
Good luck, enjoy - driving vans is pretty good fun I think.
Just keep checking your side mirrors, more so than you probably do already. It's easy to cut corners accidentally and this will help awareness of where you've placed the van on the road (vs the pavement!).
Good luck, enjoy - driving vans is pretty good fun I think.
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