If you are hiring a van in Nottingham, driving a larger vehicle may feel different from driving a car, particularly if it is your first time. This guide explains the essential things to remember before setting off and while driving your hire vehicle.
Vans are generally longer, wider and taller than cars, with different visibility, handling and speed limits to consider. At Kev's Van Rentals, we want every customer to have a safe and straightforward journey. This guide covers the essential things to remember before setting off and while driving your hire vehicle.
Before setting off
Take a few moments to familiarise yourself with the van before beginning your journey.
Check that you know:
- The height and approximate width of the vehicle
- How to adjust and use the mirrors
- Where the lights, windscreen wipers and hazard warning lights are
- Which fuel the vehicle requires
- How to engage reverse gear
- Whether the vehicle has parking sensors, a reversing camera or other driver-assistance features
- Where to find the information supplied with your hire
Adjust your seat and mirrors before moving away. Make sure you have a clear view along both sides of the vehicle and that any warning lights have gone out after starting the engine.
If you are unsure about any of the controls, please ask a member of the Kev's team before leaving.
Remember the size of your van
A van requires more room than a car when turning, changing lanes, parking and passing other vehicles.
Allow additional clearance around parked cars, cyclists, pedestrians and roadside objects. Take corners carefully and remember that the rear wheels may follow a tighter path than the front of the vehicle.
This means the side or rear wheels can pass closer to kerbs, bollards and other vehicles than you might expect. Check both mirrors before turning and take particular care in narrow streets and confined spaces.
Give yourself plenty of room and avoid attempting a manoeuvre if you are uncertain that the van will fit safely.
Know the height of your vehicle
Be particularly careful when approaching:
- Low bridges
- Height-restricted car parks
- Petrol station canopies
- Loading bays
- Height barriers
- Overhanging trees and structures
Do not rely on appearance alone. If you are uncertain whether the van will fit, stop somewhere safe and check before proceeding.
Never attempt to pass beneath a restriction when the displayed height is lower than, or too close to, the height of your vehicle. Plan your route carefully if you will be travelling through an area with low bridges or other restrictions.
UK van speed limits
Van speed limits are not always the same as car speed limits. The vans currently available from Kev's must follow the limits for goods vehicles, even when the road displays the national speed limit sign.
Important: Van speed limits can be lower than car speed limits, even when the road displays the national speed limit sign.
The three figures to remember:
The full applicable maximum speed limits are:
| Type of road | Maximum speed |
|---|---|
| Built-up area in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland | 30 mph |
| Built-up area in Wales | 20 mph |
| Single carriageway | 50 mph |
| Dual carriageway | 60 mph |
| Motorway | 70 mph |
These are maximum limits and do not mean it will always be safe to travel at that speed. A lower signed limit takes precedence, and you should always reduce your speed to suit the weather, visibility, traffic and road conditions.
Local authorities can introduce different limits, including signed 20 mph, 40 mph or 50 mph restrictions. Always follow the signs displayed on the road.
If you are uncertain about the speed limit or any other aspect of driving your hire vehicle, please ask a member of the Kev's team before setting off.
Allow more room for braking
A van may take longer to stop than the car you normally drive, particularly when carrying a heavy load or when the roads are wet or icy.
Leave a generous distance between you and the vehicle ahead. Increase that distance further in poor weather, limited visibility or heavy traffic.
Avoid harsh acceleration, sudden braking and abrupt steering. Smooth driving gives you more time to react and helps keep the vehicle and its load stable.
Remember that the posted speed limit is an absolute maximum. It may be necessary to travel considerably more slowly depending on the circumstances.
Load the van safely
An unsecured or unevenly distributed load can move while the van is travelling, affecting its stability and potentially causing damage or injury.
Before setting off:
- Place heavier items low down
- Distribute the weight as evenly as possible
- Position the load so that it cannot slide forwards, backwards or sideways
- Use suitable straps or restraints where required
- Avoid leaving loose objects in the cab
- Do not obstruct the driver's view or access to the controls
- Do not exceed the vehicle's permitted payload
- Recheck the load during longer journeys
Never assume that an item is too heavy to move. Sudden braking or a sharp turn can cause unsecured furniture, tools, boxes and appliances to shift unexpectedly.
If you are unsure whether a load can be transported safely, please speak to us.
Use your mirrors and check blind spots
Many vans have limited or no visibility directly behind them, making the side mirrors especially important.
Check your mirrors regularly and before:
- Moving away
- Slowing down
- Turning
- Changing lanes
- Overtaking
- Pulling in
- Parking or reversing
Be aware that cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians can disappear into blind spots. Take an additional look before changing direction and avoid making sudden manoeuvres.
When passing cyclists, pedestrians or horses, reduce your speed and allow plenty of space.
Reversing and parking
Whenever possible, plan your parking so that you can leave the space safely and with good visibility.
Before reversing:
- Check the area around and behind the van
- Look for pedestrians, children, animals, bollards and low obstacles
- Reverse slowly
- Use both side mirrors
- Use the reversing camera or parking sensors if fitted, but do not rely on them alone
If you are travelling with another responsible adult, ask them to guide you from a safe position where you can see them clearly. Stop immediately if you lose sight of them.
If you are unsure whether there is enough room, stop and check. Taking an extra moment is always preferable to risking a collision.
Driving in wind and poor weather
High-sided vehicles can be more affected by strong crosswinds, particularly on exposed roads, bridges and when passing large vehicles.
Keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel, reduce your speed and allow additional space around other road users.
In rain, fog, snow or ice:
- Reduce your speed
- Increase the distance from the vehicle ahead
- Use the appropriate lights
- Avoid sudden steering or braking
- Allow additional time for your journey
If conditions become unsafe, find a suitable place to stop and wait for them to improve.
Take regular breaks
Driving a larger or unfamiliar vehicle can require additional concentration. Plan sufficient time for your journey and take regular breaks, especially when travelling a long distance.
Never drive when tired, distracted or affected by alcohol, drugs or medication that may impair your ability to drive safely.
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving. Set your route before moving away and stop somewhere safe if you need to alter it, send a message or make a call.
What to do following an accident or incident
Every incident involving your hire vehicle must be reported, no matter how minor it may appear. This includes small bumps, scrapes, scuffs or damage where no other vehicle is involved.
Reporting an incident is quick and easy using the mobile reporting link supplied with your hire. Your report is first reviewed by our team, who will assess what has happened and decide whether the insurer needs to be contacted.
Submitting a report does not automatically mean that an insurance claim will be made.
Please do not worry that reporting something minor will inconvenience us. We would always prefer customers to be open and tell us exactly what has happened. Prompt reporting gives us the opportunity to review the circumstances, offer guidance and intervene early where possible.
If you are involved in an incident
- Stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Switch off the engine and turn on the hazard warning lights.
- Check whether anyone is injured and call 999 if emergency assistance is required.
- Do not admit liability or agree to settle the matter privately.
- Exchange the legally required details with any other parties involved.
- Take photographs and gather relevant information where it is safe to do so.
- Use the mobile reporting link supplied with your hire to report the incident as soon as possible.
Information to collect
Where possible, collect:
- The other driver's full name, address and mobile telephone number
- Their vehicle registration number
- Their insurance company and policy number, if available
- The names and contact details of any witnesses
- The date, time and precise location of the incident
- Details of the weather and road conditions
- A clear description of what happened
- The police reference number, if the police attend or the incident is reported to them
Photographs to take
Take clear photographs of:
- All vehicles involved
- Any visible damage, however minor
- The wider scene
- The position of the vehicles
- Road markings
- Traffic signs and signals
- Any damage to surrounding property
Only take photographs when it is safe to do so.
If you were unable to exchange the legally required details at the scene, the accident must be reported to the police within 24 hours. Other circumstances, including injuries or suspected offences, may require immediate police assistance.
Above all, please be clear and honest about anything that occurs during your hire. Reporting an incident promptly helps us deal with it fairly and efficiently, with the best chance of preventing a small issue from becoming more complicated.
Your final check before setting off
Before moving away, ask yourself:
- Are my seat and mirrors properly adjusted?
- Do I know the height of the van?
- Is the load secure?
- Are all the doors fully closed?
- Do I know which speed limits apply?
- Have I planned a suitable route?
- Do I have the hire and incident information with me?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, take a moment to resolve it before beginning your journey.
Hire a van in Nottingham
Kev's Van Rentals provides modern, reliable van hire from our base in Wilford, Nottingham. We are conveniently located for customers in West Bridgford, Ruddington, Clifton and the surrounding Nottingham areas.
Whether you need a smaller van for a collection, a larger van for a house move or flexible hire for a longer journey, our friendly team will help you choose a suitable vehicle and explain its essential controls before you leave.
Alternatively, call us on 0115 981 4333 to discuss your requirements.
Important information
This page provides general guidance and does not replace the Highway Code, road signs, applicable law, your hire agreement or the instructions supplied with your vehicle.
Rules and restrictions may change, so drivers remain responsible for checking the requirements that apply to their vehicle and journey.
For current official guidance, please visit:
