First-Time Van Driver? 12 Essential Tips for Driving a Toyota Hiace in Perth

If you've never driven anything larger than a passenger car, getting behind the wheel of a Toyota Hiace van can feel a bit daunting at first. Rest assured, with a few adjustments to your driving style and awareness, you'll be navigating Perth's roads confidently in no time. At BILD Rentals, we've helped countless first-time van drivers successfully complete their moves, deliveries, and projects. Here are our top tips for a smooth, stress-free van driving experience.

Before You Drive

1. Get Familiar with the Dimensions

One of the biggest adjustments when driving a Toyota Hiace for the first time is understanding its size:

• Length: Approximately 4.7 metres
• Width: About 1.7 metres
• Height: Nearly 2 metres
• Weight: Approximately 2 tonnes (unloaded)

Take a few minutes to walk around the van before driving, noting how much space it occupies compared to your regular vehicle. Pay special attention to the height—the Hiace stands significantly taller than standard cars.

Perth-Specific Tip: Some Perth parking garages, especially in older buildings in the CBD, have height restrictions that may not accommodate a Hiace. Check height clearances before entering (generally displayed at entrances).

2. Adjust Your Mirrors Properly

Van mirrors are your lifeline since you won't have a central rear-view mirror (when loaded):

• Adjust both side mirrors to give you maximum visibility
• Ensure you can see the rear corners of the van
• You should be able to see a portion of the van's sides for reference
• Eliminate blind spots as much as possible by positioning mirrors to show what you can't see directly

Helpful Hint: After adjusting your mirrors, take a moment to notice what vehicles look like in each mirror and how their positioning relates to their actual location around you.

3. Understand the Blind Spots

Even with properly adjusted mirrors, vans have significant blind spots:

• Directly behind the van
• To the sides, particularly at the rear quarters
• Immediately in front of the bonnet

Before starting your journey, mentally note these blind spots and prepare to compensate with extra checks and cautious manoeuvres.

On the Road

4. Maintain Greater Following Distance

The Toyota Hiace, especially when loaded, requires more stopping distance than a car:

• Keep at least a 3-second gap between you and the vehicle ahead
• Increase this to 4-5 seconds in wet conditions (not uncommon in Perth winters)
• Remember that a loaded van's braking distance increases significantly

Perth Driving Insight: Perth's Mitchell and Kwinana Freeways can become congested quickly. A greater following distance gives you more time to react to sudden slowdowns.

5. Take Turns Wider and Slower

Vans have a wider turning circle than cars:

• Begin turns from further out when possible
• Turn the steering wheel earlier than you would in a car
• Be aware of the van's rear overhang, which will swing out during turns
• Reduce your speed more than usual before entering corners

Practical Exercise: When starting out, find a quiet car park (like the large ones at Karrinyup Shopping Centre during off-peak hours) to practice turning and understand how the van handles.

6. Be Mindful of Height Clearance

The Hiace's height requires constant awareness:

• Watch for low-hanging tree branches in Perth's leafy suburbs
• Be cautious of height restrictions at drive-throughs, car parks, and underpasses
• Remember that the van may be too tall for your home garage
• Heights on clearance signs are usually displayed in metres

Real Perth Example: Several underpasses in Perth, including those on Railway Parade and Vincent Street, have caught out drivers of taller vehicles.

7. Adjust for Crosswinds

The Hiace's large side profile makes it more susceptible to crosswinds:

• Be prepared for the push of strong winds, especially on exposed roads
• Hold the steering wheel firmly but not tensely
• Anticipate wind effects when passing large trucks or buses
• Be especially careful on windy days crossing the Narrows Bridge or driving along coastal roads like West Coast Highway

Parking and Manoeuvring

8. Master Reverse Parking

Parking a van requires a different approach:

• Use your mirrors extensively—there's no rear window visibility when loaded
• Turn your head to look through the side windows when reversing
• Take it slow and be methodical
• If possible, find pull-through parking spots to avoid reversing altogether
• Consider asking a passenger to guide you when backing into tight spaces

BILD Rentals Tip: If you're really nervous about parking, plan your journey to include locations with ample parking space. Many Perth shopping centres have designated areas for larger vehicles.

9. Plan Your Route Carefully

Some routes are more van-friendly than others:

• Avoid narrow streets when possible, especially in older Perth suburbs
• Plan for wider turning areas at intersections
• Consider the time of day and traffic conditions
• Use GPS systems but be aware that they might not account for height restrictions or roads unsuitable for larger vehicles

Local Knowledge: While Perth's road grid is generally navigable in a van, areas with narrow streets like parts of Fremantle, Mt Lawley, and Subiaco require extra caution.

10. Be Conscious of Your Load

How your van is loaded affects how it drives:

• A heavily loaded van handles differently than an empty one
• Braking distances increase significantly with weight
• Acceleration is reduced when carrying a full load
• Turns and corners should be taken even more carefully when fully loaded
• Weight distribution affects handling—load heaviest items low and forward

Safety First: Ensure your load is secured properly. Items shifting during transit can destabilize the van and cause dangerous driving conditions.

The Psychological Adjustment

11. Stay Calm and Patient

Driving a van requires a different mindset:

• Accept that everything will take a bit longer
• Don't rush—hurrying leads to mistakes
• Understand that other road users might be impatient around larger vehicles
• Take breaks if you feel fatigued or stressed

Driving Psychology: Drive as if you're carrying a full cup of water that you don't want to spill. This mindset naturally makes you drive more smoothly and safely.

12. Embrace Defensive Driving

Be especially vigilant and proactive:

• Scan the road further ahead than you might in a car
• Anticipate other drivers' actions and give yourself time to react
• Signal your intentions well in advance
• Don't assume other drivers can see you or understand your limitations

Perth Road Culture: While Perth drivers are generally courteous, always drive as if others might not see you, especially when changing lanes on busy roads like Canning Highway or Albany Highway.

Conclusion: You've Got This!

Driving a Toyota Hiace for the first time is an adjustment, but thousands of Perth residents with no special driving qualifications successfully rent and drive our vans every year. The key is preparation, awareness, and a patient approach.

Remember that the biggest differences are spatial—understanding the van's dimensions and how it occupies space on the road. Once you've adjusted to this, the actual driving mechanics are very similar to a car.

At BILD Rentals, we're committed to ensuring you have a positive experience with our Toyota Hiace vans. Our vehicles are regularly maintained for reliable, safe operation, and we're always happy to provide additional guidance for first-time van drivers.

Need more specific advice for your Perth journey? Our team at 0413 922 287 can provide personalised tips based on your planned routes and tasks. Safe driving!

This guide was created by the BILD Rentals team based on feedback and questions from our first-time van rental customers in Perth.