Guidelines for Driving a 15 Passenger Van

Use caution when driving 15-passenger vans on the road.

Driving a vehicle that is longer, higher and wider than other vehicles on the road requires training and practice. A 15-passenger van has a higher center of gravity and is more prone to rollovers. Follow guidelines to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

Rollovers

Keep your wheel straight and steady to avoid rollovers.

Large vans handle differently compared to smaller, compact cars. When a driver over-corrects after a wheel goes off the road, the load is shifted, and the van leans too far in one direction, causing it to flip. Newer 15-passenger vans are equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which has shown a drastic decrease in rollovers. "It reduces the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers by 74 percent for single-vehicle crashes," according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Obey speed limits and keep your wheel straight and steady.

Cautious Driving

Always obey road signs.

Cautious driving is important behind the wheel of a 15-passenger van. Use mirrors to assure lanes are clear. Allow more time for breaking, because of the increased weight. Drive below the speed limit on roads that are particularly curvy and wet, or where visibility is an issue.

Passenger Safety

Insist that even your smallest passengers are buckled safely.

Although 15-passenger vans are designed to transport 15 people, risks associated with driving large vans increase significantly with a full load. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that 15-passenger vans carry 10 or fewer passengers, that everyone wears seat belts and baggage is stowed as close to the floor as possible.

References

• State of Washington: Office of Financial Management: 15-Passenger Van Drivers
• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Q&A's 15-Passenger Vans