5 Mistakes First-Time Truck Drivers Make: Safety Risks Explained

7 Common Mistakes First-Time Truck Drivers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Key takeaways

• Do a 5-minute pre-trip inspection: tyres, lights, mirrors, and damage photos.
• Plan a truck-safe route and know your exact vehicle height at all times.
• Load for stability: 60/40 weight split, heavy-and-low, balanced, and fully secured.
• Turn wide and slow, and scan mirrors constantly to manage off-tracking and blind spots.
• Leave 5–8 seconds or more of following distance and look 10–15 seconds ahead.
• Use the G.O.A.L. method (Get Out And Look) and a spotter when reversing.

Renting a moving truck for the first time brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. On one hand, you have the freedom to manage your move on your own schedule. On the other, you’re now responsible for a vehicle that is much larger and heavier than anything you’re used to driving. At Go With The Gecko, we’ve helped thousands of Australians successfully complete their DIY moves, and we’ve seen firsthand where simple missteps can occur.

This expert guide is designed to build your confidence by breaking down the most common (and costly) mistakes first-time truck drivers make. We won’t just point out the problems; we’ll provide proven, actionable fixes for each one. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, these essential driving a moving truck tips will ensure your journey is safe, smooth, and accident-free.

Before You Drive: Critical Pre-Trip Mistakes to Avoid

From our experience, the most critical part of your trip happens before you even turn the key. Errors made during the planning and preparation phase can set you up for failure before you even leave the rental yard.

Mistake #1: Skipping the Pre-Trip Inspection

The Consequence: You could be held financially responsible for pre-existing damage or, worse, face a preventable vehicle issue like a flat tyre or faulty light mid-trip. This can cause dangerous delays, lead to potential fines, and add significant stress to your move.

The Fix: The Professional’s 5-Minute Safety Check

Before you drive away, take five minutes to perform a thorough walk-around inspection. This isn’t about being picky; it’s a non-negotiable step for your safety and financial protection.

• Tyres: Visually inspect the tyre pressure and look for any obvious signs of damage or low tread.
• Lights: Have a partner help you, or check reflections in a window, to test your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals to ensure they all function correctly.
• Mirrors: Adjust your side mirrors for maximum visibility before you start moving. You shouldn’t be able to see the side of the truck in your mirrors; they should show you the lanes next to you.
• Damage Documentation: Walk around the entire truck and note any scratches, dents, or other damage on the rental agreement form before you sign. Pro Tip: Use your smartphone to take photos or a quick video of any pre-existing issues for your own records.

While all Go With The Gecko vehicles are professionally serviced and maintained to a high safety standard, this personal check provides you with the ultimate peace of mind and confirms the vehicle’s road-ready status.

Mistake #2: Not Planning a Truck-Friendly Route

The Consequence: Following a standard car GPS can lead you directly to a disaster. Low bridges, narrow residential streets with impossible turning circles, or roads with strict weight restrictions are real-world hazards. A wrong turn can result in a stuck truck, thousands of dollars in damages, and even bridge strikes, which carry severe penalties.

The Fix: Use Truck-Specific Tools and Think Like a Pro

When planning a route for a truck, your car’s navigation app isn’t sufficient. You need to think bigger—literally.

• Use Truck-Aware GPS: Investigate GPS apps or modes designed for commercial vehicles (many have free trials) that account for vehicle height, length, and weight.
• Know Your Height: Find your truck’s exact height (this is usually printed on a sticker inside the cab or on the rental agreement) and be constantly on the lookout for low clearance signs. This number is your new best friend.
• Be Wary of Parkways: If using a standard app like Google Maps, be cautious. Using settings like “Avoid Tolls” can sometimes help prevent routing onto restricted parkways designed only for passenger cars, but it’s not a foolproof method. This is absolutely crucial for avoiding low bridges in a truck.

Mistake #3: Improperly Loading and Securing Your Cargo

The Consequence: An unbalanced load makes the truck dangerously unstable and difficult to control, especially at highway speeds or in windy conditions. Unsecured items can shift violently during a sudden stop, breaking your valuables and causing a sudden, dangerous change in the truck’s handling.

The Fix: Load for Stability and Control

Proper weight distribution and proper cargo securement are fundamental principles of truck rental safety.

• The 60/40 Rule: Place approximately 60% of your cargo’s total weight in the front half of the truck (closest to the cab). This places the weight over the drive axle, improving traction and handling.
• Heavy and Low: Position your heaviest items—appliances, tool chests, solid wood furniture—on the floor and against the front wall.
• Distribute Evenly: Balance the weight from side to side to prevent the truck from leaning, which can affect steering and cornering.
• Secure Everything: Use high-quality ratchet straps, moving blankets, and ropes. Pack boxes snugly to create solid “walls” of cargo, preventing anything from sliding. A professionally packed truck has no empty space for items to gain momentum.

On the Road: Common Driving Errors and How to Master Them

Once you’re behind the wheel, driving a truck requires a different mindset and skillset. Here’s how to handle the most common on-the-road challenges with the same techniques professionals use.

Mistake #4: Misjudging Turns (Forgetting “Off-Tracking”)

The Consequence: Cutting a corner too sharply is one of the most frequent and costly rookie mistakes. It can cause your rear wheels to run over a kerb, strike a street sign, or even sideswipe a car waiting at the intersection.

The Fix: Go Wide, Go Slow, and Watch Your Mirrors

Large trucks don’t pivot like cars. The rear wheels follow a much tighter path than the front ones, a concept known as “off-tracking.” To compensate:

• Pull Further Forward: Drive straight further into the intersection than you normally would in a car before you begin to turn the steering wheel.
• Make Wide Turns: Give yourself plenty of room. It will feel unnatural at first, as if you’re turning too wide, but you’re actually giving your rear wheels the space they need to clear the corner.
• Check Mirrors Continuously: Your mirrors are your most important tool during a turn. Watch the rear of the truck throughout the entire manoeuvre to ensure you’re clearing all obstacles.

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Massive Blind Spots (The “No-Zones”)

The Consequence: Changing lanes without seeing a car hidden in your blind spot is a primary cause of highway accidents involving large vehicles. A quick glance over your shoulder is completely ineffective.

The Fix: Know the “No-Zones” and Drive Defensively

A moving truck has significant blind spots, which professional drivers call “No-Zones.” These are located:

• Directly behind the truck
• Directly in front of the cab
• Along both sides of the truck, with the largest blind spot on the right side

Before you drive, adjust your mirrors to minimise these zones as much as possible. Make it a habit to scan your mirrors every 5–8 seconds to maintain situational awareness. The professional’s rule is simple: if you can’t see another vehicle clearly in your mirrors, assume it’s in a No-Zone and act with extreme caution.

Mistake #6: Underestimating Your Stopping Distance

The Consequence: A fully loaded truck is extremely heavy and can take twice the distance (or more) to come to a complete stop compared to a car. Following too closely is a recipe for a serious rear-end collision.

The Fix: Double Your Following Distance (At a Minimum)

You cannot drive a truck as aggressively as you might drive a car. Safety depends on leaving abundant space.

• The 5-Second Rule: In good, dry weather, maintain a minimum 5-second following distance from the vehicle ahead. Pick a fixed object (like a signpost) and count “one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand…” after the car in front passes it. If you reach the object before you finish counting to five, you’re too close.
• Increase for Conditions: In wet or adverse weather, increase that distance to 8 seconds or more.
• Look Ahead: Always look 10–15 seconds down the road. This allows you to anticipate stops for traffic lights or slowdowns long before you need to brake suddenly.

Mistake #7: Panicking When Reversing

The Consequence: Backing up is statistically the highest-risk manoeuvre in a large truck. Visibility is extremely limited, and it’s tragically easy to hit unseen objects like bollards, low-hanging branches, parked cars, or even people.

The Fix: Master the G.O.A.L. Method

Here’s how to back up a moving truck like a professional: always use the G.O.A.L. method. It stands for Get Out And Look.

• Before you start backing up, stop the truck, put it in Park, and get out.
• Walk a full circle around the vehicle and the area you plan to back into. Look for any obstacles above, below, and around your intended path.
• Use a Spotter: If possible, this is the safest option. Before you move, agree on simple hand signals (e.g., pointing direction, hands up for “stop”, waving for “keep coming”). The driver is always in control, but the spotter is your second set of eyes.
• Never be embarrassed to G.O.A.L. It’s the mark of a safe, professional driver, not a sign of inexperience.

Drive with Confidence: Your Key to a Successful Trip

Driving a moving truck for the first time is a significant responsibility, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. The core principles of safety are simple: Plan ahead with a proper inspection and a verified safe route, be patient on the road by giving yourself extra space for turns and stops, and never hesitate to stop and check your surroundings, especially when reversing.

By understanding and actively avoiding these common mistakes, you are already far more prepared than most first-time renters. You have the expert knowledge to complete your move with confidence, ensuring a safer and less stressful experience for everyone on the road.

Ready to start your move? Go With The Gecko offers a range of modern, well-maintained, and easy-to-drive rental trucks perfect for your first time. Get a free, no-obligation quote online today and move with a partner you can trust.

Your First-Time Truck Driving Questions Answered (FAQ)

What should I check before driving a moving truck for the first time?

Conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection. Walk around the truck to document any existing damage on your rental form. Check tyre condition, ensure all lights (headlights, brake, signals) are working, and most importantly, adjust your mirrors properly to minimise blind spots before you leave the rental lot.

How do you safely make a turn in a large rental truck?

To turn safely, you must compensate for “off-tracking.” Drive further into the intersection before initiating your turn. This creates a wider arc for the rear of the truck. Turn slowly and use your mirrors constantly to watch your rear wheels and ensure you clear the kerb and any other obstacles.

What is the safest way to plan a route for a tall truck?

The easiest and most reliable way is to use a truck-specific GPS app or service that accounts for vehicle height and weight restrictions. Always know your truck’s exact height (check for a sticker in the cab) and remain vigilant for any low clearance warnings on your planned route.

How much space should you leave in front of a moving truck?

In ideal, dry conditions, you must maintain at least a 5-second following distance from the vehicle ahead of you. In wet or poor conditions, increase this to 8 seconds or more. This space is critical to allow the heavy truck enough distance to come to a safe stop.