Driving an HGV for work is hugely enjoyable, but it can throw a spanner into the works for your recreational driving. If you fail to address those issues, they may cause serious problems for years to come.

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So, what are the dilemmas you must not ignore and what can be done to put yourself back on the road to success? Here’s all you need to know.

Buying The Car

When driving an HGV for work, it’s likely that your boss pays for it. So, purchasing a car for personal driving can feel a little alien. Thankfully, with the right car finance deal, you can secure a financially suitable solution. Better still, there are thousands of great vehicles on both the new market and the used marketplace. A plethora of info can be found online and through various other channels to find the right vehicle for your lifestyle needs and budget. When you get it at the right price too, you’ll have cemented the perfect platform for years of happy driving.

Getting Bored Behind The Wheel

As an HGV driver, your daily job sees you take different routes each day. This, combined with the fact you’ll encounter a lot of motorway driving should keep you on your toes. Sadly, driving your car around town is far less engaging. Sadly, boredom behind the wheel may inadvertently put your safety at risk as hitting autopilot may impact your reactions. Knowing how to make your driving experiences more interesting can, therefore, be one of the most valuable steps you take. You can also mix things up with road trips. 

Getting Used To The Driving Height

Driving at the increased height of an HGV completely changes your perceptions of the road. Switching back to the traditional height of a car can be a little difficult. Driving an MPV or 4×4 can make the process a lot easier. In addition to the height, you will notice significant changes in the weight of the vehicle as well as the handling. Driving a little slower than you usually would is advised for a few weeks after starting your HGV career or buying a new personal car. Many people switch between cars and bikes, so you can handle the combination of a car and an HGV.

Being With Friends & Family 

When driving your HGV work vehicle, you are accustomed to spending many hours alone. OK, you will interact with colleagues and clients at pick-ups and drop-offs, but your time on the road is largely uninterrupted. When driving recreationally, friends and family can pose distractions. This could increase your risk of crashing or missing a turning. In-car DVD players are great for keeping young passengers entertained. Your partner, or other adult passengers, must accept your rules. The driving setup and radio station that works best for you is all that matters.

Parking

Finally, parking can become a major problem if you’re used to driving an HGV. There will always be special parking bays designated for your work vehicle, but that’s not always the case for your car. Likewise, your perceptions of space may be a little distorted from driving the bigger vehicle. Parking sensors and cameras can, therefore, be one of the best modifications for the family car. If you have a driveway or garage, this will come in very useful too. Once you’ve completed all of these steps, your enjoyment of driving at work and in recreational spaces will be restored.

HGV

About the Author: John Loughran