Controlling Your Lorry

Starting Your Vehicle

Before you start driving your vehicle, make sure you understand what the gauges, indicators and warning lights on the instrument panel mean. If you’re not sure about any of them, check your vehicle handbook.

Indicator lights show when you’re using different functions in the vehicle, such as the rear screen heater, fog lights or hazard warning lights.

Warning lights

The warning lights let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle. Knowing what these lights mean and what to do when they are lit will help you protect the engine and other equipment from damage.

The lights will vary from one vehicle to another but these are the most common ones

oil pressure
ignition
anti-lock braking system (ABS)
air pressure gauge (if your vehicle has air brakes)
brake condition
water temperature.

Some vehicles have on-board diagnostic systems that tell you when there’s a problem with the vehicle. They differ from one vehicle to another. Check your vehicle handbook to find out more about the diagnostic systems in your vehicle.

Starting the engine

Different vehicles have different ways of starting the engine. Look at the vehicle handbook to make sure you know how your vehicle starts.

Most modern vehicles are fitted with anti-theft devices such as steering-column locks and immobilisers. These are usually turned off when you unlock the vehicle or when you put the key in the ignition.

If you use any extra security devices, such as a steering wheel or parking brake lock, you’ll need to remove these before you start your vehicle. These are usually locked using a key; check the manufacturer’s instructions for details on how to use them correctly and how to remove them.

Vehicles with diesel engines usually have a preheating device to help start the engine from cold: wait for the glow plugs to heat up (until the indicator light turns off) then turn the key to start the engine.

Moving off safely and smoothly

When you’re about to move off, it’s vital to check all around you to make sure it’s safe to go. Use your mirrors and look all around you to see what other road users are doing and to check the road.

Although your mirrors help you see around the vehicle, there are usually many blind spots your mirrors can’t reach – particularly just behind the vehicle. You must be aware of the road users around you so you can be sure it’s safe to move off.

Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre

Whenever you move off, use the Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre routine to keep you and other road users safe.

Use your mirrors to check around you.
When you’ve decided it’s safe to move off, signal to other road users what you’re going to do, eg turn on your indicators to show you’re going to pull out.
Wind down your window and lean out to look around to make sure it’s clear before you start to move off.
Manoeuvre your vehicle onto the road.

Using the gears and brakes

If you’re driving an automatic vehicle, make sure you put your foot on the footbrake before you select ‘drive’ otherwise you’ll stall the engine.

Put your vehicle into gear so you can move off when it’s safe to do so. When you’re ready to go, check the road ahead and behind you again before moving off slowly.

To keep full control when moving off, you’ll need to know where the biting point of the clutch is: this is the point at which the vehicle begins to move. The biting point differs from one vehicle to another so when you’re driving a vehicle for the first time, practise finding the biting point before you move off.

Parking brakes differ from one vehicle to another: make sure you know how to release the parking brake. Check the vehicle handbook if you’re not sure.

Dry steering

When you’re manoeuvring, be careful not to turn the steering wheel when the vehicle isn’t moving: this is called dry steering and it can cause

damage to the tyres
wear in the steering mechanism.

Checking the controls

As soon as possible after you set off, check the controls in your vehicle are working correctly.

Turn the steering wheel to check power-assisted steering is working.
Choose a safe spot on the road to test your brakes.

Stopping smoothly and safely

Slowing down and stopping your large goods vehicle (LGV) in a controlled way is vital for good driving: it reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, saves fuel and keeps you and other road users safe.

The distance your vehicle will take to stop depends on how fast you’re going, the road and weather conditions, and the size of your vehicle.

The faster you’re going and the larger your vehicle, the longer it takes to stop.
It takes longer to stop in wet or icy conditions.

The stopping distance is made up of two parts:

thinking distance – the distance you travel from when you decide to brake to when you start braking
braking distance – the distance you travel from when you start braking until your vehicle stops completely.

The weight of an LGV makes the braking distance for an LGV much bigger than that for a car travelling at a similar speed, so you’ll need to allow extra time and space to stop safely. You can see the typical stopping distances for cars in The Highway Code.

When you need to brake, make sure you are aware of the road users around you. Check your mirrors and signal if necessary before you begin braking.

Anticipating the need to brake will help you brake smoothly, progressively and safely: watch out for things around you that you might need to slow down for, such as pedestrian crossings or cars pulling out of junctions. It’s important to try to plan your braking so you only use the brakes when the wheels are straight. Braking while you’re turning can cause the vehicle to skid.

Harsh braking can destabilise the load on your vehicle, which could lead to the load being shed or will at least need you to stop and re-secure the load before you can continue on your journey. On articulated vehicles it can also cause jack-knifing (where the tractive unit is pushed forwards by the semi-trailer) or trailer swing. You can avoid these situations by braking, steering, accelerating and changing gears smoothly.

Braking systems

Like cars, smaller goods vehicles usually have hydraulic braking systems. Large vehicles generally have air braking systems or air-assisted brakes (hydraulic system with air assistance).

If you need to make an emergency stop in a vehicle with hydraulic brakes, you may need to pump the brakes (called cadence braking) to avoid locking the wheels. When you have done this, you’ll need to find somewhere safe to stop and check the hydraulic system before you continue your journey to make sure the brakes still work properly.

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) can help you brake safely and effectively by helping to prevent skidding but they won’t shorten your stopping distance. If your vehicle has ABS and you have to brake heavily in an emergency, apply maximum force to the brake pedal and maintain this force: the ABS should stop the wheels locking up. Don’t pump the brake pedal because this reduces the effectiveness of the ABS.

Endurance braking systems, also known as retarders, help control a vehicle’s speed without using the wheel-mounted brakes. These systems reduce the wear on the service brake and avoid the risk of brake fade when you’re driving down long or steep hills. They work by applying resistance to the rotation of the vehicle’s drive wheels rather than to the road wheels.

Parking your vehicle

You’ll need to think carefully about where you stop or park your large goods vehicle (LGV) to make sure it will be safe, legal and won’t cause an obstruction to other road users.

Whenever you stop or park your LGV, make sure the place you choose is

safe – eg could it cause an accident by being too close to a junction or a zebra crossing?
secure – eg if you’re parking on a building site, is your vehicle at risk from on-site machinery?
convenient – you’re more likely to cause damage, either to your vehicle or another vehicle, if it’s an awkward spot
legal – check The Highway Code for more information on parking rules.

If your vehicle has air suspension, remember that it may move when you park it or when you start it: make sure you’re not parked too close to other vehicles, buildings, street furniture, etc, which the vehicle body could collide with if it moves.

When you’ve parked the vehicle, you must turn off

the headlights
the fog lights (if fitted)
the engine.

You mustn’t park an LGV on a verge, pavement or on land separating carriageways unless you’ve been given permission by the police. Avoid parking on a grass verge: the weight of the LGV could damage the verge and it may collapse, which could mean your vehicle gets stuck or rolls over.

If you’re parking at night on a road, you must use the parking lights on your vehicle. You don’t need to use lights if you’re parked off-road, eg in a lorry park.

In foggy weather you should avoid parking on the road; if you must park on the road, leave your parking lights on.

Parking on a hill

When you’re parking on a hill, you can use the wheels and the engine to make sure your LGV can’t roll away in case the parking brake fails.

Turn the steering wheels slightly towards the kerb: if the vehicle rolls, it will steer into the kerb and stop.
Leave the vehicle in gear: if the parking brake fails, the engine should stop the wheels turning. (This only applies to an LGV with manual gears.)

Preventing falls from the vehicle

Many people are injured by falling from vehicles each year. To minimise the risk of falling

open the door fully, use both grab rails and use all the steps
don’t jump from the lorry or load: use the steps provided, making sure they’re safe to use
use the equipment provided to avoid working at height; if you can’t avoid it, use fall arrest systems, especially when roping and sheeting
keep the vehicle tidy to avoid trip hazards
wear suitable footwear for the job
make sure steps and work areas are well lit
use edge protection on tail lifts (if fitted)
don’t walk backwards near the rear or side of the vehicle bed
only use equipment such as ropes, sheets etc if they’re well maintained and in good condition.

When you’re getting out of your LGV, make sure you check your mirrors before opening the cab doors. Watch out for other road users, particularly cyclists and motorcyclists, when opening a door on to the road, and for pedestrians when opening a door on to the pavement. If you’re parked on the left-hand side of a busy road, it may be best to use the passenger door to get out to avoid obstructing traffic or putting yourself at risk.

Security

Unfortunately goods vehicles and trailers are often targeted by thieves. To help keep your vehicle secure,

don’t discuss the details of your load with any unauthorised person
never leave the keys in the cab while it’s unattended
don’t give a lift to anyone
try to avoid using the same route and making the same drops and rest stops
keep your mobile phone with you
avoid parking in vulnerable areas
keep your vehicle in sight when you park for a break
make sure all doors are locked and windows are secure if you sleep in the cab
have an alarm system and/or immobiliser fitted
avoid leaving a trailer unattended unless it’s on approved secure premises
fit a kingpin or drawbar lock to a trailer if you have to leave it unattended.

Before you leave your vehicle, make sure the engine has stopped, the ignition system is switched off and the parking brake is on.

If you’re stopping overnight in a lorry park, it’s a good idea to park with the rear doors close to another lorry to keep the load safe. Always park in a secure, well-lit, reputable lorry park or designated parking area if possible.

Always do a walk-round check on your vehicle when you return to it, to make sure it hasn’t been entered or tampered with. If you see anything suspicious, call the police and tell your employer.

Coupling and uncoupling a trailer

Make sure the vehicle is aligned to the trailer before you begin coupling or uncoupling.

Before you begin coupling the trailer, you’ll need to make sure it’s ready.

The trailer brake should be on so it can’t move independently.
The height of the trailer must be correct so it will receive the unit safely.

Reverse slowly up to the trailer until you hear the kingpin mechanism lock into place. Take a look to make sure the fifth wheel jaws have correctly engaged, that the release mechanism is in the locked position and that the kingpin is located correctly in the jaws.

If there’s a dog clip, connect it to secure the kingpin release handle. When this is safely connected, select a low gear and try to move forward to test that the locking mechanism is engaged: do this twice to make sure it’s secure. This will avoid any risk of the trailer coming loose while you’re driving.

Make sure the vehicle parking brake is on, then connect the air and electric lines.

Uncoupling

Before uncoupling a trailer, you must make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground and in a place where it’s safe to uncouple, eg away from pedestrians or passing traffic, and where the ground is clear from obstructions.

Make sure the brakes are applied on the trailer and the vehicle before you begin uncoupling, so neither part can move unexpectedly.

When you’ve disconnected the air lines and the electric connections, stow them safely so they can’t become tangled or damaged.

Using your vehicle’s instruments and driving aids

Before you set off, make sure you know what the dashboard warning lights in your vehicle mean: check your vehicle handbook for more information.

Make sure you know where to find the switches and controls you’re likely to need while you’re driving such as the controls for the windscreen washers and wipers, demisters, indicators and headlights. You’ll need to be able to use these without losing control of the vehicle while it’s moving. Look in your vehicle handbook if you’re not sure where to find any of the controls.

Using dipped headlights

Use dipped headlights

at night
whenever the light is poor, even during the day, to make your vehicle more visible to others – eg in rain, drizzle or mist.

Fog lights

Only use fog lights when visibility is reduced to 100 metres (328 feet) or less. You must not use fog lights at any other time because they can dazzle other drivers.

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Flat and convex mirrors

Most interior mirrors and some exterior mirrors are made of flat glass: flat mirrors give a ‘true’ reflection of what is going on behind you.

Many exterior mirrors have convex glass: this means it is slightly curved so it gives a wider field of vision. However, this also makes it harder for you to judge the speed and position of vehicles in the mirror. A car behind you will look smaller in a convex mirror so it could be closer to you than you think.

Large goods vehicles must have a wide-angle mirror on the nearside to cover the blind spot.

Changes to road and weather conditions

The road surface and the weather can change while you’re driving so you may need to change controls in your vehicle or change how you’re driving in response. For example, if it starts raining, the road surface will be more slippery so you’ll need to increase your distance from the vehicle in front and reduce your speed as well as turning on your windscreen wipers and possibly your headlights. If the weather changes from being cloudy to very sunny, you might need to pull down the sun visor and/or put on sunglasses.

If necessary, stop when it’s safe to do so to change controls or settings in the vehicle and to find equipment you need.

Accelerating and using the gears

Always try to use the accelerator smoothly and steadily: this will

reduce fuel consumption
reduce wear and tear on the vehicle
make your driving safer
reduce the amount of damage your vehicle does to the environment.

Accelerating suddenly can cause you to lose control of the vehicle and can destabilise a load. In the worst case, it can cause a load to fall off the vehicle.

Make sure the driving seat is adjusted so you can use the pedals easily and comfortably. If you’re too far from the pedals, you won’t be able to press the accelerator pedal smoothly.

Be careful not to over-rev your engine when moving away (ie don’t press the accelerator more than is needed to make the vehicle move) or when your vehicle is stationary because it will waste fuel and make it harder to stay in control.

Using cruise control, if it’s fitted on your vehicle, can help to save fuel because it keeps your speed steady. Only use cruise control if you can travel at a steady speed for a long period, eg on a clear motorway. Check your vehicle handbook for details on how to use cruise control.

Speed limiters are fitted to goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes to prevent them going faster than 56 mph. If you’re driving a vehicle with a speed limiter, you’ll need to plan well ahead before overtaking and be aware of the effects of the limiter on your vehicle.

Using the gears

Large goods vehicles (LGVs) can have between 5 and 16 gears depending on their size and the type of transmission (manual, semi-automatic or automatic). If you’re driving a manual or semi-automatic LGV, the speed at which you’ll be travelling when you’ll need to change from one gear to another will vary depending on the number of gears in the vehicle and how they’re configured.

The gearbox allows you to switch between high- and low-range-ratio gears. The layout of the gearbox varies from one make of vehicle to another: use the vehicle handbook for guidance if necessary.

Choosing the wrong gear can

make the vehicle accelerate too slowly or too quickly
make it difficult to control the vehicle effectively
increase fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicle.

Travelling in the highest suitable gear will help you save fuel and reduce wear on the engine.

You don’t always need to use all gears when you’re changing up or down. Missing out gears – sometimes called selective changing or block changing – can give you more time to concentrate on the road and allows you to keep your hands on the steering wheel for longer.

When you’re braking and changing down gears, it’s best to brake to the speed you need to go and then change down into the appropriate gear so you may be able to miss one or more gears.

You can also use selective changing when you’re changing up gears, but be careful not to accelerate too fiercely or for too long in the lower gears.

Avoid coasting (ie driving with the vehicle in neutral) because you’ll have less control over the vehicle than when it’s in gear. It’s particularly dangerous to coast if you’re driving an LGV with air brakes because the compressor won’t replace air being used as the brakes are applied when the engine isn’t in gear.

Driving on hills

Use the gears to help your vehicle drive efficiently when you’re going up or down hills, especially if the vehicle is loaded.

When you’re driving uphill, change down to a lower gear to avoid the engine struggling to give enough power.

Driving downhill, you can use a lower gear to increase the effect of engine braking and reduce the risk of overheating the brakes.

It’s a good idea to leave your vehicle in gear when you park, especially when parking on a hill. If the parking brake fails, the engine should stop the wheels turning. (This only applies to a vehicle with manual gears.)

Steering and manoeuvring

Good use of the steering wheel is essential for keeping your vehicle under control. Keep both hands on the wheel unless you’re changing gear or working another control with one hand, and put that hand back on the wheel as soon as you can.

Don’t rest your arm on the door because this restricts your movement and therefore your control of the steering wheel.

Grip the wheel firmly but not too tightly: you should be able to turn the wheel easily when the vehicle is moving.

The steering lock is the angle through which the front wheels turn when you turn the steering wheel. The further the wheels turn to the left or right, the smaller the turning circle of the vehicle. Usually smaller vehicles have a smaller turning circle than larger ones. (Don’t confuse this with a steering-column lock.)

Avoid turning left or right too sharply in a ‘swan-neck’ turn because this can make the vehicle unstable.

Vehicle size

Be aware of the size of your vehicle because this will affect how much space you need to turn. You can find the dimensions of the vehicle, such as the maximum authorised mass and the height, on a plate attached to the vehicle, in the cabin, under the body panel or on the trailer chassis. You should also take note of the vehicle’s size and shape when you’re doing the walk-round checks before you start driving.

Remember to think about whether your vehicle could overhang kerbs or verges when you’re turning. If it does, you’ll need to make sure the area is clear of pedestrians, street furniture, road signs, etc before you turn.

If you’re driving a long rigid vehicle or an articulated large goods vehicle (LGV), you’ll need to be aware of the length of the vehicle when you’re

turning left or right
driving over a level crossing
using a roundabout or mini-roundabout
emerging from premises or exits
overtaking
parking, especially in lay-bys
driving on narrow roads where there are passing places.

When turning left or right, large vehicles may need to swing in the opposite direction to make a turn: for more about this, see the Junctions and crossings section.

Manoeuvring

Being able to manoeuvre your LGV accurately is an important part of driving: making deliveries often involves driving in restricted spaces and accurate positioning.

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Before you start to manoeuvre your LGV, you need to check it’s

safe – eg is there enough room; can you see where you’re going? If there isn’t enough room, find somewhere else to make the manoeuvre
legal – there are rules about where some manoeuvres can be carried out, such as reversing around corners: check The Highway Code for details
convenient – other road users shouldn’t have to slow down or change course to avoid you.

You’ll also need to check that you can control your vehicle – for example, if you’re reversing downhill, are you confident you can keep the vehicle under control?

Always use the Observation – Signal – Manoeuvre/Position – Speed – Look routine to make sure you can manoeuvre safely.

Observation: use your mirrors and look behind you to check blind spots at the back of the vehicle.
Signal: give a signal if it will help other road users understand what you’re doing.
Manoeuvre: carry out the manoeuvre using Position – Speed – Look:
- Position: move into the correct position on the road in good time to make the manoeuvre.
- Speed: adjust your speed so you can make the manoeuvre safely.
- Look: keep looking ahead and around you for possible dangers such as other road users or pedestrians.

If you have reversing aids such as camera systems or proximity sensors, you’ll still need to check all around you before and during a manoeuvre: these aids can add to, but not replace, your normal checks.

While you’re manoeuvring, avoid using the accelerator, brakes and steering suddenly or harshly because this will make it difficult to carry out the manoeuvre correctly and you could end up getting in the way of other road users.

The manoeuvres you should know are

reversing into a side road on the left
reversing into a side road on the right
U-turn
turn in the road
reverse parking (see more about this on the Parking your vehicle page.

If you’re unsure about how to do any of these manoeuvres, speak to your driving instructor or take a look at The Official DSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles.

Never make a U-turn

on a motorway
in a one-way street
where there’s a ‘no U-turn’ road sign.

Controlling your vehicle

Don’t reverse your vehicle further than is necessary: it’s difficult to see where you’re going and, while it makes the vehicle more manoeuvrable, the fact that your steering has a greater effect makes it easier to get into difficulties.

Avoid coasting: this is when your vehicle is moving but it’s not being driven by the engine – either when the clutch pedal is held down or the gear lever is in neutral. If the vehicle is coasting you have less control over it; doing this while you’re travelling downhill will mean you’ll quickly pick up speed, and you’ll then need to brake harder than should have been necessary.

Reversing aids

Some LGVs have audible warning systems to signal when the vehicle is reversing. These can help to keep people away from the vehicle but you mustn’t rely on these completely: you’ll still need to look and make sure you can reverse safely before you begin the manoeuvre and while you’re moving, in case someone hasn’t heard the warning or hasn’t understood it.

You must not use an audible warning system when you’re on a road that has a 30 mph speed limit between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am.

Skidding

Skidding is caused by the driver trying to go too fast for the amount of grip the tyres have on the road. Skids happen when you change speed or direction so suddenly your tyres can’t keep their grip on the road.

The three factors that cause a skid are

the driver
the vehicle
the road conditions – for more information on road conditions, see Identifying and responding to hazards.

To avoid skidding,

don’t accelerate suddenly or harshly
don’t brake harshly
don’t brake while cornering
watch out for slippery road surfaces and keep your speed down if you think the road is slippery
use engine braking as well as the brakes to slow the vehicle down
keep your vehicle in good condition – brakes that are in poor condition can snatch or pull unevenly, which can cause skidding.

If your vehicle begins to skid,

release the brake pedal – braking makes a skid worse
turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease off the accelerator to bring the wheels back into line.

If the front wheels are sliding, release the accelerator and don’t try to steer until the wheels begin to grip the road again.

Different vehicles will react differently when there’s a risk of skidding, depending on whether they’re front- or rear-wheel drive, and on the systems fitted to the vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes (ABS) or electronic stability control/program (ESC or ESP). Check the vehicle handbook to find out how these will affect the risk of skidding.

Engine braking can be useful when you’re driving in slippery conditions because the vehicle is less likely to skid under engine braking than when using the brake pedal. Change down the gears in plenty of time but be careful with the accelerator and clutch, particularly in very slippery conditions, because these can cause skids too.

Towing a trailer

If you want to drive a large goods vehicle (LGV) with a trailer, you’ll need a trailer entitlement (+E) on your driving licence. To add this, you’ll need to hold the full entitlement for the vehicle before you take the trailer test.

For more information about adding extra entitlements to your driving licence, see GOV.UK.

Remember to check the vehicle’s insurance policy: not all policies cover towing a trailer. You should also check the vehicle handbook: most manufacturers make recommendations about the maximum size of trailer that the vehicle can safely tow and how they should be attached. Make sure you follow these recommendations.

Not all rescue services will include recovering a trailer so make sure you check this before you ask for assistance.

Driving with a trailer

Towing a trailer may increase the number of blind spots around the vehicle, which you must be aware of when you’re driving and manoeuvring. You may be able to fit wide-angle mirrors to reduce the blind spots.

If you’re towing a trailer or driving an articulated lorry on a motorway, the speed limit is 60 mph (96 kph). All other speed limits are the same as for ordinary LGVs.

If there are three or more lanes on a motorway, you mustn’t drive a vehicle towing a trailer in the right-hand lane.

Towing a trailer will change the way a vehicle handles. You’ll need to

allow more time for braking
give yourself three times the normal distance and time to overtake safely
allow for the extra vehicle length, particularly when turning or emerging at junctions – you might need to take a different position on the road to give you enough space to turn.

If you use your brakes too heavily, eg when going downhill, your vehicle may suffer brake fade – a loss of braking power caused by the brakes getting too hot. To help avoid brake fade

change to a lower gear
use engine braking to slow the vehicle
don’t allow the vehicle to coast.

‘Snaking’ is when the trailer begins to swerve from side to side while you’re driving. If this happens,

ease off the accelerator slowly
reduce your speed gradually until the snaking stops.

Reversing with a trailer takes particular care because the trailer can move in a different direction to the one you’d expect.

Remember to check the height and width of the trailer and to bear these in mind when you’re planning your route: look out for any restrictions.

Source: Safedrivingforlife