Driving a van is not so different from driving a car, but it can take some getting used to. If you are considering van rental Bristol, here are some tips to give you confidence when driving for the first time, and keep you, your passengers and other drivers safe.
Be prepared
Safe van driving begins before you even get behind the wheel. Firstly, are you insured? Lots of van rental companies will include basic cover in case you get in an accident while driving their vehicle, but do you understand the extent of the cover? Have you insured your items, be they personal items or the packages you may be delivering? Make sure you have your licence and paperwork with you.
Are you loaded correctly?
You can only drive a load of up to 3.5 tonnes if you have a standard UK driving licence, but this is more than most people will need to transport in one journey. Make sure that your van is loaded correctly, items are evenly distributed, and you have strapped large items in. Some van rental specialists, such as Autolyne, can provide ratchet straps and trucks to help you load securely
Start slow and familiarise yourself with the vehicle
Vans don’t have rear-view mirrors so make sure your side mirrors give you a full view of your vehicle and behind. The seat will be higher than you are used to, but this will also help with visibility. Many rental companies also now supply vehicles with added safety features such as ‘lane keeping assist’ that can help you get to grips with driving the vehicle.
So as long as you prepare properly, load safely and adjust the vehicle to your needs, you will be driving confidently in no time!
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