If you're used to driving a small car or even an SUV, the prospect of driving a long, tall moving truck may seem a bit scary. You may be worried about making it around corners properly and about stopping on time. It can also be harder to change lanes and keep an eye on traffic through your mirrors in a big truck! Luckily, handling a moving truck is not as tough as you might imagine, as long as you follow these safety tips.

Make sure you know where everything is before you pull out.

Before you pull out of the parking lot at the moving truck rental center, make sure you know where all of the following are:

• Windshield wiper lever/button
• Parking brake
• Turning signals
• Standard lights, high beams, and fog lights

If you can't locate all of these, go back inside and ask an employee for help. It's better to ask now than to struggle to find the wipers when you're driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour.

Check out your route before you embark.

You don't want to be trying to navigate and search for directions while you're also getting used to driving a big truck. So, look up directions ahead of time, and look over them a few times to familiarize yourself with the route before you embark.

Divide your trip into segments.

Driving when fatigued is never safe, but it's even more unsafe in a large truck you're not used to. So, if you have a long drive, plan on dividing it up into segments of an hour or two. Drive for an hour or two, take a brief break at a rest stop or park to refresh yourself, and then continue on your way. You'll have an easier time maintaining a higher level of concentration on the road.

Don't drive alone.

If at all possible, find someone to ride with you in the moving truck. They can help you figure out what streets to turn down, remind you to apply the brakes early, and keep an eye out for exit signs so you can focus on traffic and the road. Make sure your driving buddy is someone who can stay calm and level-headed – not someone who is going to make you feel even more stressed about driving the moving truck.

Follow the advice above, and you and your things should make it safely to your new home. Click here to learn more about Uhaul truck rentals.