Driving a minibus is exactly like driving a car, right? This statement is fine but for the word, exactly. A minibus has a car-like cockpit, the same type of controls operate the onboard facilities so the behaviour is similar to that of a car. That said, you get the benefits of a high driving position and the enhanced vision that goes with it. However, there are significant differences and adapting your driving style to suit is important.

The main difference between a car and a minibus can be expressed in one word: scale. It is obvious that a minibus is the bigger vehicle and its greater weight must be allowed for. Driving a minibus is like driving a car on a larger scale.

In terms of size, it is best to think of your minibus as a box on wheels. Its nose may be shorter than the bonnet of your car but the tail extends much further behind the driving seat. It is also considerably wider than a car, as well as taller. No matter how wide-ranging the cover provided by your minibus insurance may be, you would lose out from a string of small claims from minor incidents. Pay attention to the physical footprint of your minibus on the road and your no claims discount will survive.

A simple way of doing this is used by novice drivers of larger vehicles. Jot down the external dimensions of your minibus; length, width and height, clearly on a sticky label and place it somewhere near your line of sight. You may pooh-pooh this, saying, Why do I need that, I can judge the size of my vehicle. That is fine, if in the early stages, you remember it when driving or manoeuvring in a tight spot or approaching a car-park height barrier. Your size sticker is a reminder and the alternative ugly crunching sound when you touch something would cost far, far more.

Weight is the other aspect and it is just as important. A minibus is heavier than a car, period. This is obvious on paper but less obvious are the on-road dynamic abilities of a minibus, until you are driving one. Punchy turbo diesel engine or not, a minibus will accelerate less quickly than a car. It will steer less precisely than a car, its body will roll more in corners and it will take more stopping than a car. Your driving style will soon accommodate these differences but you need to remain aware of them.

Arguably the most significant factor in the combination of the size and weight of a minibus lies in its presence on the road. Being bigger and heavier than a car, a minibus has a greater presence on the road. This gives you, the driver, a responsibility. When, for example, negotiating a roundabout or a tricky junction, you need to signal what you intend to do and do exactly what your indicators are telling other drivers. Being timid, indecisive or irresolute behind the wheel will rightly earn you the disrespect of the other drivers. Equally, being a bully will arouse anger.

Above all, remember that the drivers of larger vehicles are generally professional drivers. Minibus drivers should aim to emulate, if not assume a professional approach to driving.

Louise Slee is a Web Marketer and driving enthusiast for over 25 years, with no penalty points to date! See her articles at Minibus Club where she imparts some useful driving and travel tips when you are out and about in your minibus

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 9:34 pm and is filed under Vans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.