We’ve put together a simple guide of all the things you need to know - from how difficult it is to drive a tank and how to operate one to whether you need a driving licence. You'll also learn how to start a tank, how they are crewed, and what to expect during a tank driving experience day.
What's it like driving a tank?
Before you can drive a tank, you will first go through safety training. After this, if you are on an experience day, you will probably be paired into small groups and then get into the tank. Nothing will get your adrenaline pumping like hearing the engine roar as you hurl around in this indestructible 60 tonne vehicle, racing across muddy fields reliving your favourite war films.
After you have conquered the controls, it will be time to change position and sit up in the turret as your other crew members take it in turn to drive. Once everyone has had a couple of loops of the track, it’s likely you’ll get the chance for some target practice.
Is it difficult?
There is nothing to worry about as not many people turn up to an experience day with any prior knowledge of driving a tank. In fact, the vast majority of people have never been near a tank before, let alone been in charge of the controls of one.
Your instructor will guide you through the process of learning to manoeuvre a tank, but it is pretty straight forward once you know the basics.
They will advise you on not only how to move the tank but also how to improve, and within a few minutes the nerves are sure to have left and you’ll be enjoying this incredible experience.
A driving licence is preferred to drive a tank as knowledge of how to drive a manual car is beneficial but not essential. But make sure you check with the particular company you were booking with to see what their requirements are.
The principles of driving a tank are quite simple but getting a feel for it can take slightly longer. Visibility is also severely limited in a tank, so beginners usually learn to drive with their heads sticking out of the hatch.
How to prepare
Before getting into the driver’s seat of a tank, there are some things you need to know. Many companies will require you to wear trousers and closed toe shoes to protect you and give you an element of comfort whilst inside a tank.
Tanks can often be cramped, rugged, and dirty, so don’t bring any clothes you care about too much. There is very little padding inside a tank and the edges are rough and unfinished, so padded clothing or various layers might help reduce any bumps and bruises you may incur whilst travelling around in a tank.
Climbing into the tank can be difficult, so normally everyone enters from the back, for ease of manoeuvrability.
Driving a tank
Turning it on
Most armoured vehicles including tanks are keyless to avoid keys getting lost when the tank needs to be deployed quickly. Tanks have a main battery switch at the driver console and starting the engine is operated by a button.
Transmission
While most modern tanks are automatic, if you are looking for an experience day of driving a tank you may well be using an older model, which is comprised of levers that operate the left and right tracks (wheels). The speed at which a tank operates at is controlled by gears operated by a foot pedal.
Steering
The tank moves using a track system around the wheels. There is an accelerator pedal, which causes the axel to turn and thus the wheels to go around just as in a car. There are two sticks close to the driver’s seat, which are held in each hand. These are breaks, which stop the tracks on the side that you pull towards you, and you take the brakes off by pushing away. To move forward, you have to press the accelerator pedal and push both sticks away from you.
To turn right, keep the accelerator pedal pressed in and pull the right-hand stick towards yourself. This stops the right-hand wheels and track and therefore turns the tank to the right. Pushing both sticks away from you and then pulling the left-hand stick towards you will turn the tank to the left.
The newer tanks have airplane-style yokes for steering, while older models have two levers. Newer tanks have automatic transmission, but older models—like a Soviet-era tank require shifting, and some have three clutch pedals and stall out rather easily. Instead of a steering wheel, you hold the two levers as explained above. Pulling on one side slows the tread, so that the vehicle skews in that direction.
FAQs
Can one person drive a tank?
There is only one person who drives a tank. The rest of the crew have different roles, such as The Commander, The Gunner and The Ammunition Loader. Most crews are made up of three to five personnel.
On an experience day, you normally have two sitting in the turret to man the cannon and a driver in the driver’s seat. You will be given a microphone and headset to put on under your helmet, so you can hear your instructor giving you directions.
Can you own a tank in the UK?
Yes, if you have a civilian H category licence, you can drive and own a tank in the UK. If you have a standard car licence (category C), you automatically have a provisional licence for a fully tracked vehicle. If that military vehicle has more than one seat, a driver who already has their H test must accompany you and you must display L-plates. Technically, if the vehicle only has one seat, you can go out with L-plates on the roads unsupervised, but we wouldn’t advise it!
Summary
You should now have an idea of what to expect from driving a tank and know that thankfully, it doesn’t require any previous knowledge for an activity day, meaning you can just turn up and enjoy this exhilarating experience. Hopefully you’ve gained an idea of what it’s like to be inside a tank, what clothing you will need to wear, how they are operated and what to expect on the day.
If this has given you an urge to find out what it’s like to drive a tank for yourself, why not check out our tank driving experiences.