Never driven one before (biggest thing I've driven is a Renault Espace). Ended up being volunteered to drive a van at work next week (Transit or Luton sized), which although I'm expecting it to be fun I'm a bit unsure about driving something with no rear view mirror...
Any advice?

What I know so far:
Speed limits are different on single carriageways and dual carriageways.
Bigger stopping distance.
Blind spots are bigger so changing lane is a bit more tricky.

30111987 said:

Speed limits are different on single carriageways and dual carriageways.
.

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I thought vans could do 70 up the motorways and dual carriageways, it's only lorries that are limited to 60mph.

some passenger vans are limited to 60

ours will happily tug along 1 ton + at 95mph scratch that 70
merc sprinter
iv never had it on roads but just beware ifits rear wheel drive ours has its moments at slow speeds

PuntoSS said:

I thought vans could do 70 up the motorways and dual carriageways, it's only lorries that are limited to 60mph.

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common mistake
its 50 on single carriageways and 60 on dual carriageways for vans (except car derived vans like a corsa van).
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/vanspeedlimits

Take it wider on the corners, especially if it's LWB. I love driving vans

i have never seen a van doing this not even with oldbill around

30111987 said:

common mistake
its 50 on single carriageways and 60 on dual carriageways for vans (except car derived vans like a corsa van).
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/vanspeedlimits

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Don't be silly, everyone knows that vans are the fastest vehicles on any roads as none of the speed limits apply to them

If I were you I would start practicing reverse using the wing mirrors rather than the rear view mirror and looking through the rear screen.

That's the serious bit, here's the fun bit !!

You will need to also get used to barging your way out at junctions, tailgate and munch yorkies


Trev

udtrev said:

You will need to also get used to barging your way out at junctions, tailgate and munch yorkies

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You also need a copy of The Sun on the dashboard, arm hanging out the window, roll up ciggy in mouth and you'll also need to wolf whistle anything you see in a skirt!

1986Uno45S said:

..... and you'll also need to wolf whistle anything you see in a skirt!

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The man lives in Scotland, that might not be a wise move

Hi Mate word of advise as I learnt the hard way the only 3 points I have are for doing 70mph on the A13 (speeding in a goods vehicle).

It is 70mph on Motorways only M roads.
60mph on A roads regardless of national speed limit signs.
50mph on single carriageways B roads regardless of national speed limit.

Good luck just take your time!!

udtrev said:

You will need to also get used to barging your way out at junctions, tailgate and munch yorkies


Trev

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Sorry, but Yorkie munching is just for serious truck drivers, not for van drivers !!

helz said:

the man lives in scotland, that might not be a wise move

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pmsl

S6BadBoy said:

Hi Mate word of advise as I learnt the hard way the only 3 points I have are for doing 70mph on the A13 (speeding in a goods vehicle).

It is 70mph on Motorways only M roads.
60mph on A roads regardless of national speed limit signs.
50mph on single carriageways B roads regardless of national speed limit.

Good luck just take your time!!

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National speed limit on most A roads is 60mph anyway. National speed limit signs = 60mph

Unless you're going through a town/village / settlement and it may be reduced to 50, 40, 30 etc.

PuntoSS said:

National speed limit on most A roads is 60mph anyway. National speed limit signs = 60mph

Unless you're going through a town/village / settlement and it may be reduced to 50, 40, 30 etc.

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Dual carriageways are 70mph.

Gary said:

Sorry, but Yorkie munching is just for serious truck drivers, not for van drivers !!

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:yeahthat:

Only applies to artics/ HGV1 i.e. real lorry drivers

Helz said:

Dual carriageways are 70mph.

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If national speed limit sign is displayed then :yeahthat:

Its 56mph for a lorry not 60mph whoever said that

AppleSei said:

Its 56mph for a lorry not 60mph whoever said that

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Not quite right, whilst the trucks are generally limited to 56mph (makes more sense when you realise that it's 90kph lol), they are technically allowed to do 60 on a motorway. However, some trucks, de-restricted are capable of some pretty impressive speeds lol



(REF: Rule 124 of the Highway code <<see linky-dinky)

SeanW said:

Not quite right, whilst the trucks are generally limited to 56mph (makes more sense when you realise that it's 90kph lol), they are technically allowed to do 60 on a motorway. However, some trucks, de-restricted are capable of some pretty impressive speeds lol

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In my experience these are called irish trucks