If you are not used to driving vans, the first time behind the wheel can feel a little intimidating. The good news is that modern vans are far easier to drive than their reputation suggests, with car-style steering wheels, power steering and dashboard-mounted gear sticks that quickly feel familiar. There are still a handful of things worth knowing before you set off, and getting them straight in advance makes the day go smoothly. 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 when driving a hire van for the first time.
What to Know Before You Pull Away
Getting to Grips with Van Speed Limits
The first thing that catches people out is that van speed limits are lower than the ones they are used to in a car. On a single carriageway a van is limited to 50mph rather than the 60mph a car may do, and on a dual carriageway the limit is 60mph rather than 70mph. On the motorway you can travel at 70mph, and in built-up areas the usual 30mph applies, dropping to 20mph where it is signed. Small car-derived vans under two tonnes follow ordinary car limits, but the rest of a typical hire fleet does not, so it is worth keeping that 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, which means 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 keep an eye out for posted restrictions, particularly in town-centre car parks. Width matters too, so watch for the six-foot-six limits on some routes and parking structures, as 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, so the door mirrors are doing all the work. Spend a minute adjusting both wing mirrors properly before you pull away, and get used to glancing across them more often than you would in a car. They are your main view of everything happening behind and to the sides.
How a Loaded Van Handles
Modern vans are powerful and pleasant to drive, but a loaded one behaves quite differently from a car. It is longer, wider, heavier and noticeably slower to stop, and a high-sided van such as an extra long wheelbase van can catch a side wind on exposed stretches of motorway. Leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front, brake earlier than instinct suggests, and take corners and roundabouts more gently until the size feels natural.
Parking a Van With Confidence
Parking is the part that worries most first-timers, simply because you cannot see directly behind you. The answer is to rely on your wing mirrors, take it slowly, and lean out of the side window for a clearer look when you are reversing into a tight space. If someone is with you, ask them to guide you in, and never feel awkward about stopping to get out and check. A few seconds spent looking saves a lot of bother. If you would like a steer on the rest of the handover, our guide on what to check before driving a hire van covers the walk-around to do before you set off.
Where to Collect Your Warrington Hire Van
Our depot sits centrally beside Cockhedge, within easy walking distance of the main bus and rail links, and if you drive in there is secure on-site parking where you can leave your own car for the length of your hire. We are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4pm and closed on Sundays, most vehicles need no deposit, and you will need your driving licence and a current DVLA check code when you collect. We help first-time and experienced drivers alike from across the area, including Latchford van hire, Grappenhall van hire, Westbrook van hire and Winwick van hire. To check availability and book the right van, call us on 01925 396 222 or use our contact us page.
