Van driving tips
Discussion
Whilst not really the type of motoring we are all used to I have just been accepted for a job as a Delivery driver and took the driving assesment today.
The vans are actually a lot easier to drive than I though and reversing them was not as much of a problem as I thought it would have been aslong as you keep your wits about you and take as much time as you need to get it right.
That being said though, I clipped two kerbs, and the instructer said that I was a little slower than he would have liked. He did comment however that it was brilliant for my first time in such a long van and, unlike some, he felt safe to be driven by me.
Now obvisouly I know I will learn with time to take a slightly wider circle to avoid hitting the kerb (the two times I did it was right at the start of the assesment) but does anyone have any further tricks of the trade etc which may help in my van related driving?
He had a sheet similar to a driving test sheet and you get a total of up to 16 minors, or 2 serious errors, before you fail. I only got 3 minors so am pretty impressed with myself, but I strive to not crash!
For reference, I was in a long wheel-base Sprinter.
The vans are actually a lot easier to drive than I though and reversing them was not as much of a problem as I thought it would have been aslong as you keep your wits about you and take as much time as you need to get it right.
That being said though, I clipped two kerbs, and the instructer said that I was a little slower than he would have liked. He did comment however that it was brilliant for my first time in such a long van and, unlike some, he felt safe to be driven by me.
Now obvisouly I know I will learn with time to take a slightly wider circle to avoid hitting the kerb (the two times I did it was right at the start of the assesment) but does anyone have any further tricks of the trade etc which may help in my van related driving?
He had a sheet similar to a driving test sheet and you get a total of up to 16 minors, or 2 serious errors, before you fail. I only got 3 minors so am pretty impressed with myself, but I strive to not crash!
For reference, I was in a long wheel-base Sprinter.
Don't worry I was taught all that on the induction!Flanders. said:
Watch where the Back end swings around on tight turns.
Thinks thats where hitting the kerb came in but the mirrors are suprisingly good. Still, looking at the length of the HGVs I parked up next to the mind boggles how the hell they get around!Flanders. said:
Also Lwb's like to go sideways.
Which is a point, apart from a few spirited drives in a 200sx and some MR2's this will be the first RWD that I will be driving for longer than 30 mins or so! Heres to a warm summer with no snow!Depending on what sort of delivering you're doing you may find your stress levels going up, so my advice would be to always try & keep calm & never get pissed off with other road users. The longer you drive for a living the more you'll realise what a s
t driver you used to be & that most other motorists still are, so try to remember that it's just a job & that getting into a road rage incident & possibly escalating a situation just isn't worth it.
I drove for a living for about twelve years & still do part timeish & it is impossible never to get pissed off by the utterly ridiculous things that happen on a daily bases but most of those things will become like water off a ducks back after time.
ETA.. Yes, I realise that's not the sort of advise he was after but it is van related.
t driver you used to be & that most other motorists still are, so try to remember that it's just a job & that getting into a road rage incident & possibly escalating a situation just isn't worth it.I drove for a living for about twelve years & still do part timeish & it is impossible never to get pissed off by the utterly ridiculous things that happen on a daily bases but most of those things will become like water off a ducks back after time.
ETA.. Yes, I realise that's not the sort of advise he was after but it is van related.
Edited by Larry Dickman on Saturday 2nd October 03:29
champ54321 said:
You have a car licence... why are you clipping curbs?
Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
As I said, I clipped it twice when I first started the assesment, IE the first two tiht corners, but then once I got a hang for the need to take them slightly wider due to the arse end following a little differently than in a small car. You have to have more consideration over your back end, which I of course realised before getting in, but did not realise by how much.Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
Your telling me you have never, ever, clipped a kerb whilst in your discovery and long trailer?
@Larry - All advice accepted. I try to keep calm on the road in the car and will try to keep this going whilst in the van too. Always willing to learn something new too!
Edited by ymwoods on Saturday 2nd October 04:36
champ54321 said:
You have a car licence... why are you clipping curbs?
Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
Could be something to do with bending in the middle. I find getting arctics around town a bit easier than coaches. Shame you driving god types can't offer some constructive advice once in a while.Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
OP. hope the following helps; Most damage done by delivery drivers will be at the delivery address, plan your exit BEFORE you stop to make the delivery. In yards, cul-de-sacs etc get turned round first or reverse in, forwards out.
Visibility to your nearside can be a problem on "Y" junctions, you can't see left, so try to approach the junction at 90 degrees, even if it means your arse end is miles from the kerb, you'll see much more. (That will make more sense the first time you do it 
)
Contrary to the popular stereotype don't sit on someones arse in stop-go traffic, leave enough room to steer round the vehicle in front. In the unlikely event that the dithering bd in the car in front actually looks in the mirror, seeing the devil incarnate van trying to mount their boot will panic them into stalling, and you'll be stuck behind them.
Do not forget your maximum speed on NSL single carriageways is FIFTY MPH, not SIXTY
The back step gets fking slippery if you let road dirt build up, slipping off it hurts.
The back door check links (the older wire type) are fking useless in strong winds, they'll either slam the door handle into your kidneys as you lean into the van or faceplant some poor bd walking past at the wrong moment.
I did a quarter of a million miles in sprinters for a courier co renowned for Damaging, Hiding or Losing parcels
)Contrary to the popular stereotype don't sit on someones arse in stop-go traffic, leave enough room to steer round the vehicle in front. In the unlikely event that the dithering b
d in the car in front actually looks in the mirror, seeing the devil incarnate van trying to mount their boot will panic them into stalling, and you'll be stuck behind them.Do not forget your maximum speed on NSL single carriageways is FIFTY MPH, not SIXTY
The back step gets f
king slippery if you let road dirt build up, slipping off it hurts.The back door check links (the older wire type) are f
king useless in strong winds, they'll either slam the door handle into your kidneys as you lean into the van or faceplant some poor bd walking past at the wrong moment.I did a quarter of a million miles in sprinters for a courier co renowned for Damaging, Hiding or Losing parcels
The the only major point id say is how far you have to swing the vehicle because of its length. And seriously, its a LWB sprinter, not a 7.5 tonner, so be more confident
champ54321 said:
You have a car licence... why are you clipping curbs?
Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
Did you have to take a test for your towing?Sorry but I've only been driving 3 and a bit years and I can manage to drive a Discovery and long trailer. I dont understand how any one would struggle to drive a sprinter.
karona said:
Visibility to your nearside can be a problem on "Y" junctions, you can't see left, so try to approach the junction at 90 degrees, even if it means your arse end is miles from the kerb, you'll see much more. (That will make more sense the first time you do it )
Seems like how it should be done! I think this was my problem at the start to be honest, just acting like it was the length of a car, got the hang of it eventually though!)karona said:
Contrary to the popular stereotype don't sit on someones arse in stop-go traffic, leave enough room to steer round the vehicle in front. In the unlikely event that the dithering bd in the car in front actually looks in the mirror, seeing the devil incarnate van trying to mount their boot will panic them into stalling, and you'll be stuck behind them.
Another good one! I also found that car drivers acted deliberatly like td in the car in front actually looks in the mirror, seeing the devil incarnate van trying to mount their boot will panic them into stalling, and you'll be stuck behind them.ts when I was out too. I was trying to reverse in a car park and cars kept zipping behind the van to go around whilst it was beeping so they obviously knew what I was trying to do. In terms of the speed etc I think I am going to have to take it extremely easy, even whilst in my own car, as any points in your first 6 months and your sacked. Even after this if I get points whilst in the van then it's and instant kick out of the door.
They also check your licence every Monday to that effect so it seems pretty strict although i've been 3 and a half years without points so will be very unlucky to get some now.
From my experience with LWB vehicles (Fiat Ducato's, Toyota Hiace Jumbos, light trucks and car + trailer) Keep an eye on your far side mirror, so you can get an idea of where your rear wheel is in relation to the curb, will also help you get used to the width of the vehicle as the sprinter is a fair bit wider than your average car.
As mentioned above plan for corners/intersections dont just rock up to them in any old fashion and then realise ohhh.... should of done this differently. But as you get used to the vehicle this will come far more naturally to you.
Also as mentioned above plan your exit from where your about to pull into. If you have to reverse into a driveway, pull over, put your hazard lights on, pull out accross the road when its clear and take a straight shot in reverse into the driveway. Most other drivers are curteous enough to give you time and room to make a manouver like this, so dont stress and rush it if you see another vehicle approaching. (Just as a side note on that, this is based on my experience in New Zealand)
Keep checking your mirrors, more often than not the interior mirror is useless in vehicles like this, but you will find your exterior ones completely invaluable.
Most importantly relax, dont stress and take your time
My 2c worth
As mentioned above plan for corners/intersections dont just rock up to them in any old fashion and then realise ohhh.... should of done this differently. But as you get used to the vehicle this will come far more naturally to you.
Also as mentioned above plan your exit from where your about to pull into. If you have to reverse into a driveway, pull over, put your hazard lights on, pull out accross the road when its clear and take a straight shot in reverse into the driveway. Most other drivers are curteous enough to give you time and room to make a manouver like this, so dont stress and rush it if you see another vehicle approaching. (Just as a side note on that, this is based on my experience in New Zealand)
Keep checking your mirrors, more often than not the interior mirror is useless in vehicles like this, but you will find your exterior ones completely invaluable.
Most importantly relax, dont stress and take your time
My 2c worth
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