Expert Video Tips to Improve Your Commercial Driving Skills

When your office is a driver’s seat, the pressure is always on. You’ve got to navigate tough routes, deal with unpredictable weather and road conditions, fight off fatigue, and prioritise your safety and the safety of other drivers. That’s a lot for any one person to manage. 

Building confidence in your driving skills means sharpening your skills and updating your knowledge on the road. It takes time, but it makes a huge difference.

With your skills polished, you’ll be able to expertly handle your commercial vehicle, tackle any route without breaking a sweat, and avoid distracted driving.

The Driver Require team is delighted to introduce our new video series, with expert driving tips delivered by Ian Datlen, a professional with many years experience on the road. This is real-world, practical coaching from someone who knows the challenges firsthand. With Ian’s bite-size tips, you can make life on the road less stressful and more enjoyable, starting now.

Why is keeping your skills sharp on the road so important when driving a commercial vehicle?

Staying on top of your game as a professional driver means more than getting your licence and landing a job. Every day on the road brings its own challenges, and the trucks you drive today aren’t the same as they were last year. 

Taking a few minutes each week to pick up new techniques (or refresh what you’ve already learnt) can change the way you drive, and how the vehicle responds, giving you a better sense of control. Over time, that practice builds confidence and helps the work feel like second nature.

Building these habits also strengthens your professional competence, ensuring you can handle every route, tight corner, and unexpected challenge with skill and authority.

What truck drivers can expect from the Driver Require video series 

These videos cover the stuff that really matters to truck drivers on the road, from checking blind spots and narrow entrances to mastering challenging turns and tight spots.

Strapping advice

Getting your load strapped correctly is non-negotiable. Proper strapping locks your cargo down, stopping damage and dangerous shifts while you drive. Do it right, and you know your cargo’s safe and your drive’s a lot less stressful.

Vehicle checks

Giving your lorry a good once-over before you hit the road keeps you out of trouble. When you carry out a safety check the right way, you can catch little problems early and avoid breakdowns on the road. Plus, you have peace of mind knowing your truck can handle whatever the day throws at you.

Reversing a lorry on a busy road

Backing up a large vehicle in heavy traffic is intimidating. But the right techniques can take a lot of that pressure off your shoulders. Learning precise reversing methods improves your confidence and gives you the skills you need to make the manoeuvre safer for everyone. You'll reduce mistakes and handle tight spots like the expert you are.

These are just a few of the skills covered in the series. For more videos, head over to our video page, where you can catch up on past clips and check out new releases as they go live.

Other practical ways to improve your driving skills

There’s always room to fine-tune how you work behind the wheel. Even simple habits like making an effort to stay aware of speed limits and monitor road conditions really help.

But here are a few bigger ways to keep building your skills:

Expand your driving qualifications

Let’s say you currently hold a Category C licence. Getting your Category C+E commercial driving licences would open the door to driving larger specialist vehicles. 

On top of that, certifications like ADR for hazardous goods or a HIAB driver certificate for crane operation can qualify you for higher-paying, more interesting roles.

Keeping up with your Driver CPC training (35 hours every five years) is also essential. Luckily, you’ve got options. You can spread the training out with shorter courses each year, complete all 35 hours in one go, or mix online sessions with in-person learning. It’s completely up to you!

Network with other truck drivers (to stay in the loop)

Joining driver forums, online communities, or trade groups instantly puts you in touch with people just like you: other drivers who truly understand life on the road. These networks are perfect for sharing tips and chatting about the hurdles everyone in the industry deals with.

They're also an invaluable resource for staying informed. You can easily keep up with new regulations and the latest job openings. The best part? Many groups send updates and newsletters right to your inbox.

Review each trip 

After you complete a trip, take a few minutes to review it. You don’t have to write a detailed log or anything like that, just a quick note of what went well and where you hit snags. For example, were there any tight corners that slowed you down, or tough reversing spots that turned your knuckles white?

Over time, you’ll start seeing patterns and places where little adjustments could probably save you a lot of time and stress on the road.

Don’t forget to check out our video tips!

Before you go, take a moment to browse our quick tips video series, packed with real-world advice and insights from a pro you can trust.

Looking for work on the road as a commercial driver?

Driver Require has been matching skilled drivers with the right jobs for over 25 years., We understand the industry and know how to find roles that suit your lifestyle and career goals.

Simply register as a driver and we'll be in touch with exciting opportunities in the trucking industry and beyond.