BinRegular Breaks
Once you are doing long-distance driving, it is essential that you take regular breaks. This is important because you will get tired while driving for so long and this is very risky for yourself and everyone else on the road. The majority of HGV driving jobs will require you to drive for multiple hours at a time, however, you need to plan regular stops so you can get rest.
The amount of time that you should rest would be dependent on each job. With that said, it is recommended that you stop every 3 or 4 hours for about 15 minutes to half an hour in order to remain alert. These breaks will ensure that you remain alert while driving and ensure that your reaction time is still fast.
Make A Plan For Your Route
If you have a long-haul job then you will need to plan your route. This is especially necessary since you’ll have many hours on the road and you need to know exactly where you will be driving to. So, make sure you use a driving app or a sat nav so that you can plan your route and ensure you reach your destination on time.
Additionally, you should always take the weather into consideration. If there is bad weather, then this will negatively impact the length of your drive. So, make sure that you pay attention to it before you start driving.
Ensure Your Load Is Secured
Do not start driving without securing your load. It doesn’t matter how skilled of a driver you believe you are, if you have an unsecured load it would be at a high risk of getting lost, damaged etc. You should always thoroughly secure your loads using straps that are tightly placed and ensure that your lorry isn’t overloaded. It is actually a lot more dangerous to overload your vehicle than to underload.
Check And Maintain The Vehicle
When you are a professional HGV driver, you should always check your vehicle every day. This is important to ensure that it is fit for driving before you head out on a job. To start with, you should always check your lights, suspension, tires, mirrors etc. This won’t take a lot of time and will make you a lot safer on the road.
Obtaining your HGV driving licence is your passport to a fulfilling career as a professional lorry driver. After investing time and money into your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) training, you’ll want to get qualified and move into employment as quickly as possible. You can get tips for passing HGV practical test, practical road driving and off-road exercises and vehicle safety questions/answers that you are looking for.
Don’t Get Distracted
Once you are a driver, you should avoid getting distracted while driving. However, once you are an HGV driver, this is especially important and you need to remain alert at all times. There are many things that can cause distractions and the most distracting thing would likely be your phone. You should avoid making or taking phone calls while driving, even if it is for only a couple of seconds. When you have to take your hands off of the controls for your vehicle, this would put you and everyone else on the road at risk. Even small distractions such as adjusting the music can cause an accident. So, if you want to remain safe, avoid these risks.
Don’t Tailgate
Once you are an HGV driver, you need to thoroughly know the Highway Code. With that said, there are lots of drivers that still tailgate occasionally. However, in order to stay safe as an HGV driver, never tailgate. It is important that you stay a safe distance from the other vehicle that is in front of you. This is extremely important in the case the vehicle brakes suddenly since this could easily cause an accident if you’re tailgating.
Check Your Speed
Even though you may want to ensure you arrive at your destination on time, you should not speed. Once you take the time to plan your route thoroughly and take into consideration any delays and the weather, then you won’t have any reason to be in a rush.
