Vans are not for all drivers. Some consider them too large and unwieldy to drive comfortably, while others believe that there isn’t that big of a difference between vans and cars.
If you’re thinking of driving one, you’re in for a few perks. After all, vans are larger than regular cars, which means they can carry more cargo and passengers.
Just remember to consider a van’s size and weight difference while you’re on the road, especially if you’re used to driving a car. These factors affect a vehicle’s speed, mobility, and braking capability.
Safety Tips When Driving a Van
Most safety tips for van driving also apply to regular car driving. However, how you apply them tends to vary, especially if you used to drive a sedan, SUV, or pickup. Let’s explore the safety tips you’d best keep in mind when you’re behind a van’s wheel.
Know Your Vehicle
Explore and get to know your van’s features. Make sure you keep its size in mind, especially when driving through narrow roads and parking spaces with low clearance heights. Keep visibility in mind as well since vans are much longer and taller than most cars.
Similarly, learning about all the driver-assist features your van has to offer is important because they might come in handy when driving.
For example, some models have cameras and sensors designed to help drivers park. Others have speed assist tech that helps drivers intuitively keep their speed consistent.
Learn Your Route
One of the best ways to make life easier for yourself when driving a van is to know the best routes to take.
Stick to the roads that are big enough to accommodate your vehicle. Likewise, take note of the ones that are too narrow for your ride so that you know to avoid them.
Mind Your Roof
Vans are taller than cars. This means that if a bridge, overpass, or tunnel is too low, there’s a slim chance it might damage your van’s roof. Because of this, always keep the height of your vehicle in mind when driving.
Mind Your Cargo Weight
Heavy vehicles take longer to stop, and your van falls in this category, especially if it’s carrying a ton of cargo.
Drive slowly and carefully whenever you’re driving at max capacity. Make sure to avoid potholes and bumpy terrain when possible because fully loaded vans tend to have stiffer suspension systems.
Similarly, make sure your cargo is secured properly to prevent it from moving about in your cargo hold. Cargo that shifts and moves around can make it difficult for a car to stay on course because of the changing weight distribution.
Don’t Drive Too Quickly
It’s always a good idea to watch your speed when you drive a van. Because vans are bigger and heavier, they have longer braking distances, which means they take some time to stop when you hit the brakes.
Follow speed limits to avoid situations where you might have to slam the brakes to avoid a crash. Don’t go faster than necessary when other vehicles are around.
Give Yourself More Room to Turn
Vans need more room to maneuver when turning compared to regular cars. This is largely due to their size and weight — as well as whether or not there’s any cargo in the back. Vans without any cargo might feel springier to drive.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Because vans have a higher center of gravity, they tip more easily when faced with harsh weather conditions, like strong winds. Winter driving can also be tricky for vans. They’re more likely to skid due to inertia when driving over slippery surfaces.
Because of these factors, it’s a good idea to determine the day’s weather reports before driving to confirm whether or not it’s safe.
Stay Vigilant
Always pay attention to your surroundings whenever you drive your van. Check your vehicle’s blind spots through the rear-view and side-view mirrors, and keep a watchful eye out for obstacles on the road.
Vans brake slowly, so you need to be more cautious than you normally would be in a car.
What to Inspect Before Driving Your Van
Like other vehicles, vans need routine inspections to make sure that every component works as intended. Before hitting the road with your van, it’s a good idea to ensure that all the following components are in optimum condition:
- Brake fluid
- Brakes
- Car horn
- Engine oil
- Headlights
- Mirrors
- Seatbelts
- Steering system
- Tire condition
- Window wipers
How Different is Driving a Van to a Car?
Driving a van isn’t too different from driving a regular car. It’s just that they’re bigger, heavier, and slower to come to a stop after braking. Whether your van has an automatic transmission or a manual one, driving one will be no different from driving a car.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Vans
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding vans.
Do you need a special license to drive a van?
You can drive most vans with a regular driver’s license, but some types, like cargo vans, require a Class C license to drive. Vans used for commercial purposes also require a commercial driver’s license.
Do you need training to drive a van?
No, you don’t need special training to drive a van. Besides accounting for the bigger size and heavier weight, driving a van isn’t too difficult compared to driving a car.
However, even if you don’t need training to drive a van, having guidance or advice from a more experienced van driver will always be better.
How long can you drive a van?
It’s strongly recommended you avoid driving over a maximum of 10 hours in a single 24-hour period to ensure that you don’t overwork the van.
On another note, you can technically drive a van for as long as you need to, as long as it has enough fuel and none of the components become inoperative.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
