GETTING TO KNOW AN UNFAMILIAR HGV
Updated: 3 days ago
BEFORE YOU TURN THE KEY
At some point in your driving career, somebody will hand you the keys to a lorry you've never driven before.
It might be a different make or model. It might have a gearbox you've never used, controls in completely different places, different dimensions, unfamiliar driver-assistance systems or equipment you've never operated before.
You may be an experienced professional driver and still need time to familiarise yourself with an unfamiliar vehicle.
If you're newly qualified, do not feel embarrassed about asking how something works.
The dangerous option isn't asking.
It's pretending you know.
BEFORE YOU MOVE
Give yourself time to become familiar with the vehicle while it is stationary.
Don't discover what a switch does while travelling down the road.
Before moving, you should be comfortable with the location and operation of the controls you may need while driving.
At a minimum, establish:
parking brake operation;
service brake feel and pedal position;
accelerator position;
gearbox/gear selector;
forward, neutral and reverse selection;
mirrors and mirror adjustment;
camera systems;
indicators;
headlights;
main beam;
hazard lights;
windscreen wipers and washers;
demisters;
heating/ventilation;
horn;
dashboard/display controls;
cruise control;
speed limiter, where fitted;
retarder/engine brake;
suspension controls;
axle-lift controls, where fitted; and
any other controls specific to that vehicle.
You don't need to become an expert on every button before leaving the yard.
You do need to know how to safely control the vehicle.
START WITH THE BASICS
Before concentrating on clever technology, set the vehicle up for you.
Adjust:
seat position;
seat height;
seat suspension;
backrest;
steering wheel;
mirrors; and
cameras/display where adjustable.
Make sure you can comfortably operate the pedals through their full range without stretching.
Check that your steering position allows proper control without locking your arms.
Fasten your seat belt.
Make sure nothing loose in the cab can move around while you're driving.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DRIVING
Don't assume you know the dimensions because you've driven something similar.
Establish:
vehicle height;
overall length;
width;
gross vehicle weight;
axle configuration;
number of axles;
whether any axles lift or steer;
vehicle/trailer combination;
trailer height if applicable; and
anything about the body or load that changes the vehicle's dimensions.
HEIGHT MATTERS
Know the actual travelling height of the vehicle.
Don't guess.
Don't assume the vehicle you're driving today is the same height as the one you drove yesterday.
This becomes particularly important with:
double-deck trailers;
refrigerated trailers;
high cube/bodywork;
machinery;
abnormal loads;
demountable bodies; and
unfamiliar trailers.
If a height indicator is fitted in the cab, make sure it reflects the vehicle you're actually driving now.
Changing trailers can change your height.
THE WALKAROUND IS ALSO YOUR INTRODUCTION
Your normal walkaround check is an excellent opportunity to familiarise yourself with an unfamiliar vehicle.
As you go around it, locate things such as:
fuel tank;
AdBlue tank;
battery isolator, where fitted;
air tanks;
air/electrical connections;
fifth wheel or coupling system;
landing legs;
load-security points;
side lockers;
spare wheel arrangement;
fire extinguisher;
warning triangle or other emergency equipment;
number plates;
lights and reflectors; and
body controls or ancillary equipment.
If it's a rigid, understand the body fitted to it.
If it's an artic, familiarise yourself with both the tractor unit and the trailer.
GEARBOXES & AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
Modern HGV gearboxes can vary considerably between manufacturers.
You may encounter:
fully manual transmissions;
automated manual transmissions;
automatic transmissions; and
different selector arrangements between manufacturers.
Even two automated systems may behave differently.
Before moving, establish:
how Drive is selected;
how Neutral is selected;
how Reverse is selected;
whether a manual mode is available;
how manual gear changes are requested;
how the selected gear is displayed;
whether different drive modes are available; and
how the system behaves on hills.
Do not assume that because you've driven one automated manual gearbox, every other one will behave identically.
MANUAL MODE
Manual control can be useful in certain situations, particularly where you want greater control of gear selection.
Examples may include:
steep climbs;
long descents;
slippery conditions;
low-speed manoeuvring; or
situations where automatic gear selection is not giving you the control you need.
How and when manual intervention should be used depends on the vehicle and conditions.
If you don't understand the gearbox, ask before leaving.
CREEP, HILL-HOLD & LOW-SPEED BEHAVIOUR
An unfamiliar vehicle may behave differently when you release the brake.
Some systems creep.
Some don't.
Hill-hold systems may release differently.
Clutch engagement in an automated manual may feel quite different from a conventional automatic car.
Before attempting a tight reverse or coupling manoeuvre, learn how the vehicle responds to small accelerator and brake inputs.
A quiet open area of the yard is a much better place to discover this than six inches from somebody else's trailer.
RETARDERS & ENGINE BRAKING
Many HGVs have supplementary braking systems designed to help control vehicle speed without relying entirely on the service brakes.
Depending on the vehicle, you may have:
engine braking;
exhaust braking;
a retarder; or
a combination of systems.
Controls vary considerably.
The control may be:
a steering-column stalk;
incorporated into another control;
dashboard-operated; or
integrated with the service brake depending on vehicle specification.
Understand:
how it activates;
the available stages;
what the dashboard indication means;
how it interacts with cruise control;
how it interacts with the gearbox; and
when its use may be inappropriate.
IMPORTANT — LOW GRIP CONDITIONS
Powerful supplementary braking acts through the driven wheels and can affect vehicle stability where grip is poor.
Extra care may therefore be necessary on:
ice;
snow;
loose surfaces;
very wet roads; or
other low-friction surfaces.
Know the manufacturer's guidance for the vehicle you're driving.
AIR BRAKES — KNOW WHAT NORMAL LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE
HGV braking systems use compressed air.
When you start the vehicle, watch the air-pressure gauges or display.
Know:
what the normal operating range looks like;
where the low-air warning appears;
what the audible warning sounds like; and
whether pressure is building normally.
Never simply ignore an air-pressure warning because the vehicle still moves.
If you're unfamiliar with what the dashboard is telling you:
STOP AND FIND OUT.
AIR SUSPENSION
Many HGVs and trailers use air suspension.
Controls may allow the chassis to be raised or lowered for:
loading;
unloading;
coupling;
demountable bodies;
docks; or
other operational requirements.
Before using it, understand:
which axle/body the control affects;
how to raise and lower it;
how to return it to normal ride height;
whether normal ride height restores automatically; and
what dashboard warning or indicator shows suspension status.
DON'T DRIVE OFF AT THE WRONG HEIGHT
Make sure the vehicle has returned to its correct travelling position before driving.
An incorrectly set suspension height can affect:
handling;
clearance;
vehicle height;
driveline geometry; and
safe operation.
LIFT AXLES
Some tractors, rigids and trailers have lift axles.
Their operation may be:
automatic;
manually selectable;
load-dependent; or
controlled by the vehicle's electronic systems.
Understand:
which axle lifts;
what the control does;
when the system operates automatically;
what dashboard symbol indicates its position; and
whether manual control is permitted in the situation you're considering.
Axle position affects more than tyre wear.
It can affect:
axle loading;
traction;
manoeuvrability;
turning behaviour; and
legal weight distribution.
Never lift an axle simply because you've discovered the button.
STEERING AXLES
Some multi-axle vehicles and trailers have steering or self-steering axles.
This can significantly change how the vehicle behaves during:
tight turns;
reversing;
manoeuvring; and
positioning.
Some systems can be locked for reversing or particular manoeuvres.
If you've never used the system fitted:
ask how it works before attempting the manoeuvre.
DIFF LOCK
A differential lock can provide additional traction where wheels would otherwise spin.
It is not a general-purpose driving mode.
Before using one, understand:
which axle/differential it controls;
how it engages;
how disengagement is confirmed;
what dashboard symbol indicates its status; and
the manufacturer's restrictions on use.
A diff lock is generally intended for situations where additional traction is genuinely required.
Driving on a good high-grip surface with a differential locked can place severe stress on the driveline and adversely affect handling.
If you don't know whether you need it:
don't press it just to see what happens.
PTO — POWER TAKE-OFF
A PTO allows engine power to operate auxiliary equipment.
Depending on the vehicle, that could include:
tipping gear;
hydraulic systems;
blowers;
pumps;
winches;
moving floors;
compressors; or
other equipment.
PTO operation is equipment-specific.
Before using it, know:
what it operates;
how it engages;
what conditions must be met before engagement;
whether the vehicle must be stationary;
whether Neutral is required;
whether the parking brake must be applied;
permitted engine speed;
how to disengage it; and
what indication confirms its status.
Never experiment with a PTO to find out what it does.
You could move machinery or equipment that somebody else is standing beside.
FIFTH WHEEL / COUPLING EQUIPMENT
If you're taking an artic, inspect and familiarise yourself with the coupling arrangement.
Know:
how the fifth-wheel locking mechanism works;
where the release handle is;
what the locked position looks like;
trailer air/electrical connections;
catwalk arrangement;
landing-leg operation; and
any coupling aids or warning systems fitted.
Different fifth wheels and release arrangements can vary.
Your normal coupling procedure and physical checks still apply.
A dashboard light or electronic coupling warning is an aid.
It does not replace physically ensuring the trailer is correctly coupled.
TRAILER BRAKE / SHUNT CONTROLS
Some trailers may have controls or systems you haven't previously encountered.
Do not operate unfamiliar trailer controls without knowing their purpose.
This is particularly important around:
air suspension;
axle controls;
parking brakes;
shunt valves;
body controls; and
specialist trailers.
If you don't know what a valve or button does:
leave it alone and ask.
DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS
Dashboards vary enormously between manufacturers and even between model years.
Before moving, look at the display and establish whether any warnings remain active.
Pay particular attention to warnings relating to:
brakes;
ABS;
EBS;
air pressure;
steering;
engine;
transmission;
suspension;
emissions/AdBlue;
tyre pressure, where monitored; and
coupling systems.
Colour conventions often help indicate severity, but do not rely on colour alone if you don't know what the symbol means.
The vehicle handbook, manufacturer's driver guide or operator should be used to identify an unfamiliar warning.
Never cover, dismiss or repeatedly reset a warning because it is inconvenient.
CRUISE CONTROL & SPEED LIMITER
Make sure you know how to:
set cruise control;
adjust it;
cancel it;
resume it; and
distinguish cruise control from any driver-set speed limiter.
Don't try to learn an unfamiliar cruise-control system while approaching traffic.
DRIVER-ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
Modern HGVs may be equipped with systems such as:
adaptive cruise control;
autonomous/emergency braking;
lane-departure warning;
lane-keeping assistance;
blind-spot information;
side-scan systems;
pedestrian/cyclist detection;
proximity sensors;
tyre-pressure monitoring; and
driver-attention monitoring.
axle weight information.
These systems can be extremely useful.
They are driver aids.
They do not transfer responsibility for controlling the vehicle away from the driver.
Understand what the vehicle has, what warnings it gives and what intervention you may feel or hear.
An unfamiliar automatic brake intervention is considerably less alarming if you already know the vehicle is capable of doing it.
CAMERAS, MIRRORS & BLIND SPOTS
Different vehicles give you different views.
Before leaving:
adjust every mirror;
identify what each mirror shows;
check camera views;
understand when cameras activate;
locate any blind-spot display;
clean dirty lenses where appropriate; and
identify areas around the vehicle that remain difficult or impossible to see.
Do not assume a camera eliminates a blind spot.
If you aren't sure what's beside or behind you:
stop and check.
PARKING BRAKE
Yes, you know how a parking brake works.
But locate the control before you need it.
Different vehicles can use different layouts and electronic or conventional systems.
Know:
where it is;
how application is confirmed;
whether the trailer brake is controlled separately;
what warnings occur if you attempt to move with it applied; and
any unusual operating characteristics.
LIGHTS, WIPERS & DEMISTERS
These sound trivial until you suddenly need them.
Before driving an unfamiliar vehicle, locate:
dipped headlights;
main beam;
fog lights;
hazards;
wiper controls;
washer;
intermittent-wipe settings;
heated mirrors;
windscreen demister; and
mirror demisting/heating where fitted.
You don't want to be searching through menus for the demister after the windscreen has already fogged up.
FUEL & AdBlue
Make sure you know:
which tank is diesel;
how to open the tank;
which filler is AdBlue;
current fuel level;
current AdBlue level;
approximate range where displayed; and
whether the vehicle has multiple fuel tanks.
Putting the wrong fluid into the wrong tank can turn a simple refuelling stop into a very expensive day.
If you're unsure:
check before filling.
ELECTRIC, HYBRID & ALTERNATIVE-FUEL HGVs
Increasingly, you may encounter vehicles using technology outside the traditional diesel HGV.
This may include:
battery-electric HGVs;
hybrids;
gas-powered vehicles; or
other alternative-fuel systems.
Do not assume normal diesel-vehicle procedures automatically apply.
Specific training or familiarisation may be necessary for:
charging/refuelling;
isolation;
emergency procedures;
high-voltage systems;
range management; and
breakdown/recovery.
Never interfere with a high-voltage or unfamiliar fuel system unless you are trained and authorised to do so.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Before leaving, know where to find whatever emergency/safety equipment the vehicle carries.
Depending on the operation, that might include:
hi-vis clothing;
warning triangle;
fire extinguisher;
first-aid kit;
torch;
spill kit;
wheel chocks;
emergency contact information; and
specialist equipment relevant to the load.
Don't wait until you're standing on the side of a road in the dark to discover you don't know where the hi-vis is.
CHECK YOUR DOCUMENTS & EQUIPMENT
Before leaving in an unfamiliar vehicle, make sure you've got everything you need for that journey.
Depending on the operation, that could include:
driving licence;
Driver CPC card;
tachograph driver card;
required vehicle documentation;
delivery/collection paperwork;
permits;
ferry documentation;
international documents;
PPE;
phone/charger; and
any load-specific documentation.
YOUR TACHOGRAPH
Before departure, identify the tachograph fitted to the vehicle.
Check:
where the driver-card slot is;
that you've inserted your card correctly;
any manual entry required;
start-country entry;
current mode;
display layout;
how to change activity;
how to access information; and
how to make a printout if necessary.
Different tachograph units can have different button layouts and menus.
Don't wait until you're under pressure to learn where everything is.
DOES IT ACTUALLY FIT YOUR JOURNEY?
An unfamiliar vehicle may also be physically unsuitable for the route you normally use.
Before leaving, consider whether its:
height;
width;
length;
weight;
axle arrangement; or
trailer configuration
changes your route.
The fact that yesterday's lorry fitted under a bridge tells you precisely nothing about whether today's one will.
TAKE A MINUTE IN THE YARD
If possible, before joining the road:
move forward slowly;
brake gently;
check steering feel;
establish brake response;
learn low-speed gearbox behaviour;
check the mirrors while turning;
make a gentle turn;
reverse a short distance if appropriate; and
become familiar with the vehicle's dimensions and response.
You're not conducting a test drive.
You're giving your brain a chance to recalibrate before dealing with traffic.
LISTEN TO THE VEHICLE
You will gradually learn what a particular lorry normally sounds and feels like.
With an unfamiliar one, you don't yet have that reference.
If you notice:
unusual knocking;
grinding;
excessive vibration;
persistent air leakage;
unusual steering;
poor braking response;
warning alarms;
abnormal smells;
smoke; or
anything else that makes you uncomfortable,
don't simply assume:
“It's probably normal for this one.”
Ask.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW — ASK
There is absolutely no professional merit in pretending to understand equipment you have never used.
Ask another driver.
Ask the transport manager.
Ask the workshop.
Check the manufacturer's driver manual.
If necessary, ask somebody to physically show you.
Five minutes spent asking a supposedly stupid question can prevent:
vehicle damage;
trailer damage;
a breakdown;
an infringement;
a collision; or
an injury.
DON'T LET YOURSELF BE RUSHED
You may hear:
“They're all basically the same.”
“You'll figure it out.”
“Just take it — you're already late.”
“The last driver had no problem with it.”
None of those statements teaches you how an unfamiliar control works.
Professional drivers are responsible for enormously heavy, powerful and expensive vehicles.
Taking a few minutes to understand one before driving it isn't incompetence.
It's professionalism.
QUICK UNFAMILIAR-HGV CHECK
Before you leave, can you answer these?
VEHICLE
☐ What height am I?☐ What length/width am I?☐ What's my configuration?☐ Are any axles lifting or steering?
CONTROLS
☐ How do I select Drive/Reverse/Neutral?☐ How does the parking brake work?☐ Where are lights, hazards, wipers and demisters?☐ How does the retarder/engine brake work?☐ Do I understand any suspension, axle or diff-lock controls?
DRIVER VIEW
☐ Seat adjusted?☐ Steering wheel adjusted?☐ Mirrors adjusted?☐ Cameras understood?☐ Blind spots identified?
SYSTEMS
☐ Air pressure normal?☐ No unexplained warning lights?☐ Fuel sufficient?☐ AdBlue sufficient?☐ Tachograph understood and card inserted correctly?
SAFETY
☐ Walkaround completed?☐ Emergency equipment located?☐ Coupling checked where applicable?☐ I understand any equipment/PTO I will need?
MOST IMPORTANTLY
☐ Is there anything about this vehicle I don't understand that could affect my ability to drive or operate it safely?
If the answer is yes:
ASK BEFORE YOU MOVE.
FINALLY
A professional driver isn't somebody who can jump into every lorry ever manufactured and instantly know what every switch does.
Experience helps enormously, but vehicles change.
Manufacturers do things differently.
Technology changes.
Equipment changes.
And specialist vehicles can introduce systems you've never encountered before.
There is nothing embarrassing about saying:
“I've never used this system before. Can you show me?”
There is considerably more embarrassment involved in damaging a €150,000 vehicle because you were afraid to ask what a button did.
Learn the vehicle first.
Then drive it.
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