Everything First-Time Truck Drivers Need To Know

There are various reasons why car drivers might decide to practice driving a truck. Perhaps they want to hire one so that they can move house on their own without the need of hiring a removal firm. Or maybe they want to change their career and like the sound of being a truck driver. Whatever your reason for wanting to drive a truck, there is no doubt that you will need to spend some time practicing. After all, these vehicles are much larger than the average car, and that’s going to make driving them a whole lot different.

So, if you are going to be driving a truck for the very first time soon, you should read on. Here is everything you need to know to make the transition from car to truck a lot easier for you.

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Take Some Extra Lessons

Even though you might have already passed your driving test once, it’s still worth taking a few truck-driving lessons. There are a few driving instructors who specialize in giving lessons on driving vehicles other than cars, and I’m sure you will be able to find a reliable instructor in your local area who can show you a thing or two about driving trucks. You’ll be able to get lots of expert advice from them, and these lessons also provide you with a chance to practice in a truck in a safe space. It’s worth taking a couple of lessons before you commit yourself to buying a new truck just in case you don’t enjoy driving them.

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Give Yourself Time To Get Used To It

Once you have had a few lessons and have bought your own truck, it’s worth giving yourself some time to get used to it. Don’t embark on a long journey in the vehicle as soon as you get it, as you won’t know what everything on its dashboard is for. You also won’t be used to the driveability of the truck and other factors, such as how long it takes to come to a full stop while braking. So, be sure to go on some short journeys once you first get the truck. This will then help you get used to the vehicle and will also help you to build your confidence of being behind the wheel of something a lot larger than a car.

Keep On Checking Your Side Mirrors

The majority of trucks do not have a rearview mirror, because their size would make such a mirror pointless. So, you will need to check your side mirrors very often to make up for the lack of a rearview mirror. As any semi truck accident lawyer will tell you, most truck drivers end up in crashes because they do not check their mirrors on a regular basis, so you can tell just how important it is to do so. It will help you stay safe out on the road, while also protecting other road users as well.

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Secure All Items Inside The Truck

If you ever load any large or bulky items into the back of your truck, you must make sure that they are all secured as well as possible. Otherwise, they could very easily move around while you are driving, which could be potentially dangerous. This could end in the weight distribution in the vehicle changing, which could cause problems when you go around corners or try to break. If things are banging around in the back of the truck, it could also take your attention away from the road in front of you, which could make you a lot more likely to have an accident.

Remember Your Truck’s Height

Make sure you know the exact height of the truck and commit this to memory. If you find it difficult to remember, you could always write it down on a post-it note and stick it on the dashboard. You will need to know this so that you know whether you will be able to fit under bridges or in tunnels.

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Practice Reversing And Parking

Parking and reversing are going to be a lot more difficult in a truck than in a car, so it is essential that you spend a lot of time practicing these maneuvers. If you find them difficult to do, it’s important that you find a driving instructor who can go over them with you. Practice makes perfect, so be sure to spend plenty of time going over these maneuvers.

Hopefully, these tips should make the transition from car to truck easier for you!