Driving a truck rental vehicle can be intimidating if it's your first time driving a truck. Read our tips that will help you safely drive a truck.
Driving a truck for the first time can be a scary experience. That can especially ring true when driving a truck rental with all of your life's possessions. But it doesn't have to be an intimidating experience if you follow our list of suggestions shown below.
Ask for operating instructions
Before driving off the rental lot with your truck rental vehicle, ask the sales rep for a complete demonstration on how to drive the truck including an explanation regarding the vehicle's instruments. Don't sign the contract until you feel comfortable enough to actually drive the truck rental.
Adjust the mirrors
The secret in driving a truck successfully is the ability to correctly use your mirrors, since there are bigger than normal blind spots. Luckily, trucks have dual-faced mirrors, which allow you to see on both sides of the truck. Before you turn the ignition on, adjust the truck rental's mirrors so that you can properly see on both sides. And if you switch drivers at any point, make sure the mirrors are adjusted for each driver.
Find out your truck clearance
As you've properly noticed when driving, some overpasses have height restrictions. Ask the truck rental company for the truck's height so you won't have to second guess. The same holds true for the truck's weight, as certain roads have weight restrictions.
Keep on eye on road signs
While driving the truck, you should pay attention to truck related signage. For instance, you might have to stop at a truck weighing station along the way. Or there might be a specifically designated lane for all trucks, such as there is for carpools.
Never tailgate
Though tailgating is never a good practice, that's especially the case when it comes to driving a truck rental, even in stop-and-go traffic. That's because trucks far outweigh passenger cars.
Use extra caution when turning or making lane changes
Due to the truck's overall length, you'll need to be more careful when making those turns. And the same holds true when making lane changes, as trucks, by their very nature, have bigger blind spots than cars. In addition, don't pass cars when driving up hills, as the pickup in trucks is not as great as in cars.
