Driving a Warrington hire van for the first time can feel a little intimidating. The good news is that modern vans are far easier to drive than their reputation suggests. They have car-style steering, power steering and dashboard-mounted gear sticks that soon feel familiar. Still, a handful of things are worth knowing before you set off. Whether you have booked van hire in Warrington for a house move, a delivery or a one-off collection, here is what to keep in mind.
What to Know Before You Pull Away
Getting to Grips with Van Speed Limits
The first thing that catches people out is speed. Van limits are lower than the ones drivers know from a car. On a single carriageway a van is limited to 50mph rather than 60mph. The dual carriageway limit is 60mph rather than 70mph.
On the motorway you can travel at 70mph. In built-up areas the usual 30mph applies, dropping to 20mph where signed. Small car-derived vans under two tonnes follow ordinary car limits, but most of a typical hire fleet does not. You can confirm the figures on the official GOV.UK speed limits page. Keep the difference in mind on the faster roads around Warrington, such as the approaches to the M6 and M62.
Height and Width Restrictions
Most vans stand two metres tall or more. As a result, they will not clear the height barrier at many multi-storey and supermarket car parks. Check the height of your van before you go, and look out for posted restrictions in town-centre car parks.
Width matters too. Watch for the six-foot-six limits on some routes and parking structures. A Luton van with tail lift and many larger panel vans will not fit through them.
Set Your Mirrors Before You Move
A van has no central rear-view mirror, because the load area behind you is solid. Instead, the door mirrors do all the work. Spend a minute adjusting both wing mirrors before you pull away. Then get used to glancing across them more often than you would in a car, since they are your main view behind and to the sides.
How a Loaded Warrington Hire Van Handles
Modern vans are powerful and pleasant to drive. However, a loaded one behaves quite differently from a car. It is longer, wider and heavier, and it takes noticeably longer to stop.
A high-sided van such as an extra long wheelbase van can also catch a side wind on exposed stretches of motorway. So, leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front and brake earlier than instinct suggests. Take corners and roundabouts gently until the size feels natural.
Parking a Van With Confidence
Parking worries most first-timers, simply because you cannot see directly behind you. The answer is to rely on your wing mirrors and take it slowly. When you reverse into a tight space, lean out of the side window for a clearer look.
If someone is with you, ask them to guide you in. Never feel awkward about stopping to get out and check, because a few seconds spent looking saves a lot of bother. For the rest of the handover, our guide on what to check before driving a hire van covers the walk-around to do first.
Where to Collect Your Warrington Hire Van
Our depot sits centrally beside Cockhedge, within easy walking distance of the main bus and rail links. If you drive in, you can leave your own car in our secure on-site parking for the length of your hire. We open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm and close on Sundays.
Most vehicles need no deposit. When you collect, bring your driving licence and a current DVLA check code. We help first-time and experienced drivers from across the area, including Latchford van hire, Grappenhall van hire, Westbrook van hire and Winwick van hire.
To check availability and book your Warrington hire van, call us on 01925 396 222. Alternatively, use our contact us page.
