Driving a van in the narrow streets of the historic centre

Driving a van in narrow streets starts with route planning

Driving a van in the narrow streets of the historic centre is mostly sorted out in advance, with a map. Improvising on the spot ends with reversing a hundred metres back between parked cars and a crowd of tourists. Half an hour of preparation will save you far more time than it takes.

Find out the van's dimensions

Don't head into the centre without knowing the width and height. The width including mirrors is always greater than the width of the body, and it's the mirrors that are the first thing to catch on something in narrow streets. The height determines whether you can get through gateways and underpasses. You'll find the exact figures for each model in our fleet, and it's worth having them to hand while driving.

Allow for the turning circle

A van needs noticeably more room for a turn than a car. Approach a right-angled bend between buildings in a wider arc and keep the rear wheel further from the kerb, because the back of the vehicle follows a tighter radius than the front. At junctions of narrow streets it often pays to stop, straighten up your position and only then turn slowly, looking in the mirror on the inside of the bend.

Read the signs at the entrances

The centre tends to be criss-crossed with no-entry zones, one-way streets and pedestrian zones. You may only enter a pedestrian zone where a sign explicitly allows it, and often only at set times or with a permit. This is governed by the road traffic rules and local regulations, so what's on the sign and the additional plate always takes precedence. If you're not sure, don't drive into the street.

Plan your exit too

Your route must have a well-thought-out end, not just a beginning. Find on the map how you'll drive away forwards from the unloading point without having to turn round. In a dead end, reverse in as soon as you arrive, while the van is empty and the street is quieter.

Check underpasses and gateways in the map's street view. You won't spot an arched passage, a height restriction sign or a bollard in the middle of an entrance on an ordinary map, but you will on a photo of the street.

Choose the time of day

Early in the morning, the centre is a different city. Before eight there are far fewer pedestrians, deliveries and tourists in the streets, and a manoeuvre that takes ten minutes at midday can be done in two. If your moving or delivery plan allows it, go as early as possible.

Driving technique between buildings

Drive by the mirrors, not by the bonnet

In a narrow street, your width is set by the mirrors. When passing a parked car, get used to watching the right-hand mirror and judging the gap from it, not from the wing. If the street is very tight, fold in the mirror on the wall side, but only for the duration of the manoeuvre and only when you're almost stationary.

Watch out for road camber and kerbs

Old streets have a road surface that slopes towards the middle or to the sides. This tilts the vehicle and moves the top edge of the body closer to a wall, a sign or an awning. So watch not only the wheels but also what's happening at roof height, especially by buildings with protruding portals and lamps.

Passing and giving way

Whoever has more space behind them reverses. Coming to an agreement with the oncoming driver by eye contact and a gesture is quicker than playing a game of who can hold out longer. If there's a free entrance or a gap between cars behind you, reverse into it, even if you have the right of way. Decide quickly; in a narrow street a queue forms behind you immediately.

Pedestrians and cyclists

In the centre, expect people to walk in the road. Tourists look up at the façades, not at the cars, and simply don't hear a van coming. Drive at walking pace, don't hurry them along by sounding your horn and, when reversing, always have a helper walk behind the vehicle.

When you won't fit

Don't try to squeeze through a gap you can't see into. A kilometre's walk with a trolley is a cheaper solution than a scratch along the whole side. Stop one street away in a place where you're not in anyone's way and carry things the last stretch by hand.

Leave someone by the van to explain the situation. When you stop in a narrow street to unload, you're blocking traffic. A driver who hears from someone that it will take five minutes will wait more patiently than one stuck behind an empty, unattended van. However, only a person named in the contract may drive, so don't lend the van to anyone else to move it.

Consider a smaller model. If you go into the centre regularly, a shorter van with a lower roof will open up streets you can't get into with a big box body. You'll find an overview of sizes in our fleet, and more tips on driving in the city on our blog and in the FAQ section.