Express Delivery Van

Okay, so you decide to do-it-yourself and rent a truck or a van. Driving a truck requires attention to detail. Backing up, turning in traffic, low hanging branches, bridges and overhead structures are subject to mishaps.

If parking is difficult stake out space in advance to park the truck for loading. Know the procedures in the event of truck breakdown. Locate emergency markers, know the roadside assistance number.

Familiarize yourself with the truck. Adjust the seat and mirrors. Operate the flashers, lights, turn signals and horn. Get a feel for the truck in a parking lot.

Accelerate gradually, ease off the accelerator early when approaching stops and keep the speed down to save fuel. Gradual stops are not just a good idea to save fuel, you’re driving a truck. The weight of a loaded truck requires extra distance to stop. Go slower than you would normally drive, keep your distance, minimize lane changing.

Trucks are subject to weigh stations, lane restrictions, overhead clearance and parking restrictions. Take extra care to be aware of applicable restrictions, overhead clearance, turning radius and the area behind the truck when backing the vehicle in reverse. Before backing up, walk to the back and look to ensure it is safe to back up. If possible, have a helper direct.

Don’t tailgate, Don’t pass on hills or curves. Don’t attempt to pass a vehicle doing more than 40mph. Get fuel when the tank gets down to a quarter full.

Professional truck drivers are restricted to 11 hours of driving. Rest stops must be 10 hours. Max duty time is 14 hours. This means if you’ve spent the day loading the truck you need to be rested before you drive and allow adequate time for rest enroute because driving a truck is tiring.

Things to bring include sunglasses, documentation, cellphone, extra cash, prescription medications, first aid kit and personal items like water, snacks, cd’s, etc.

Do a walk around truck inspection at each stop. Check the oil as directed by the rental company.

Park in a well-lit area. Lock the cab, padlock the cargo door. In winter weather have shovels, sand and salt. Don’t rent a truck without 24 hour roadside assistance. In the event of breakdown place triangular reflectors or flares 10 feet from the truck in the direction of approaching traffic, and 100 feet in each direction. If the vehicle is obscured, place markers so as to allow ample warning to oncoming vehicles.