DAF has placed the working and living environment inside long-distance lorries firmly in the spotlight with its new Single Driver Luxury Package.
Unveiled on 14 September at IAA Transportation 2026, the package introduces a 90cm-wide Relax Bed and illuminated rear-wall storage for DAF XF, XG and XG+ models.
The largest configuration provides up to 290 litres of storage, accessed through side shutters and central sliding doors. DAF has also incorporated a towel rack beneath the storage system.
These may sound like comfort-focused additions, but they address a practical issue for drivers spending several days at a time in the same vehicle: the cab must function simultaneously as a workplace, storage area and place to rest.
Better facilities can help, but keeping the space orderly still depends on how the truck is equipped and managed.
What has DAF introduced?
The Single Driver Luxury Package has been developed specifically for operations in which one driver generally occupies the vehicle.
Its principal features are:
- A 90cm-wide bed for DAF XG and XG+ models
- Rear-wall storage for XF, XG and XG+ cabs
- Three storage compartments
- Up to 290 litres of capacity in XG and XG+ models
- Illuminated compartments
- Side shutter doors and central sliding doors
- An integrated towel rack
DAF says the rear-wall storage will also be offered as an aftermarket option through PACCAR Parts.
The manufacturer is simultaneously expanding its electric range with XG and XG+ Electric models. Their cabs are 33cm longer than the XF and provide up to 12.5 cubic metres of interior volume, with a maximum standing height of 2.2 metres.
These figures are manufacturer specifications. Exact availability, compatibility and UK pricing should be confirmed with a DAF dealer.
Why cab organisation matters
A long-distance truck cab may contain clothes, bedding, food, paperwork, chargers, cleaning supplies, personal equipment and items required for the vehicle.
Without a proper system, equipment can migrate onto the passenger seat, dashboard or floor.
This is more than an appearance problem. The Health and Safety Executive advises businesses to keep vehicle cabs tidy, while DVSA's HGV walkaround guidance requires drivers to check that the footwell is clear and that nothing obstructs their view through the windscreen.
Loose objects must not be allowed to interfere with:
- Pedals
- Steering
- Gear or parking-brake controls
- Seat adjustment
- Seatbelts
- Doors and emergency exits
- Windscreen visibility
- Mirrors, cameras or screens
A larger cab creates more usable space, but it should not become permission to carry unnecessary unsecured equipment.
Six practical checks for a working lorry cab
1. Give every item a defined place
Divide the available storage according to how frequently equipment is needed.
Items required while driving should only be kept where they can be reached safely when the vehicle is stationary. Less frequently used belongings can be placed in the rear compartments or under-bed storage where provided.
Keep vehicle documents, personal belongings, cleaning equipment and food separate. Wet clothing should not be placed directly against electrical equipment, paperwork or bedding.
Heavy objects should be stored low down and secured. Do not assume that closing a cupboard door makes an unsuitable or overloaded item safe.
2. Keep the driving area clear
Nothing should be stored loose in the driver's footwell or beside the pedals.
Before moving off, check that:
- The floor is free from bottles, tools and packaging
- Floor mats are secure and correctly positioned
- Charging cables cannot fall into the footwell
- Dashboard objects do not obstruct the windscreen
- Cup holders are not overloaded
- Cab curtains are fully secured
- The driver can reach every control normally
DVSA advises that nothing should obstruct the swept area of the windscreen wipers, apart from permitted items that do not seriously affect the driver's view.
3. Protect the driver's seat carefully
An HGV seat can experience intensive use, particularly where a vehicle has multiple drivers or regularly enters construction sites, yards and rural locations.
Wet workwear, dust, food, oil and repeated entry can all reach the original upholstery. A removable cover can reduce direct exposure to routine dirt and abrasion and make day-to-day cleaning more manageable.
However, an accessory must never interfere with the seat's operation.
Before fitting a cover, check:
- Seat-back and cushion dimensions
- Integrated or separate headrests
- Seatbelt position
- Armrests
- Suspension and adjustment controls
- Heating and ventilation
- Electrical connections and sensors
- Any seat-mounted safety equipment
Test the complete adjustment range after installation. Remove the cover if it obstructs a control, restraint or safety feature.
4. Look after the sleeping area
A wider bed may improve the available resting space, but bedding and personal equipment still need sensible management.
Keep the mattress and bedding dry, and avoid placing dirty footwear or work equipment on the bed. Damp clothing should be dried or stored separately rather than sealed inside a compartment where moisture and odour can build up.
Do not block doors, escape routes or access to essential vehicle equipment with bedding or luggage.
Drivers must also continue to follow the applicable drivers' hours and rest rules. A more comfortable bed does not alter the legal requirements governing when and how rest must be taken.
5. Include the interior in the daily check
An HGV walkaround inspection should begin inside the cab.
DVSA guidance requires checks of:
- Windscreen, mirrors and cameras
- Wipers and washers
- Warning lights and gauges
- Steering and horn
- Brakes and air pressure
- The clear footwell
- Vehicle-height marker
- Seatbelts
- Cab doors, mountings and steps
Drivers should record and report defects rather than simply moving an item or cleaning around a developing problem.
A torn belt, damaged seat mounting, loose step or defective door latch requires proper attention. A seat cover must never be used to conceal damaged upholstery, restraints or seat mechanisms.
6. Use a clear handover standard
Shared vehicles benefit from a short end-of-shift cab check.
The outgoing driver should remove rubbish and personal belongings, clean obvious contamination and report defects. The incoming driver should still complete the required vehicle checks rather than assuming everything has already been inspected.
A simple cab record can include:
- Driver and date
- Seat and seatbelt condition
- Footwell clear
- Glass and cameras clean
- Storage secured
- Bedding or rest area condition
- Damage or missing equipment
- Cleaning or repair required
This is particularly useful for mixed fleets in which different trucks have different storage layouts, seats and controls.
Choosing Farm Packs lorry-seat protection
Farm Packs now supplies heavy-duty lorry seat covers for working HGV cabs, with optional logo embroidery for operators and transport businesses.
Choose a cover by inspecting the actual seat rather than relying only on the lorry's make or model. DAF XF, XG and XG+ vehicles may be ordered with different seats and equipment, and configurations can change between generations or individual specifications.
A suitable cover can help keep everyday mud, dust and moisture away from the original upholstery. It does not replace regular cleaning, seat maintenance or a proper vehicle inspection.
Businesses managing several vehicles should record the correct cover type against each registration or fleet number. Embroidered covers can also help identify which equipment belongs to a particular operator or vehicle.
Explore Farm Packs lorry seat covers.
A better cab still needs a system
DAF's new package recognises that the cab is more than the space from which a lorry is driven. For many long-distance drivers, it is also an office, storage area and temporary living environment.
Additional cupboards and a wider bed may make that environment more practical. Their value will still depend on keeping equipment secured, the driving area clear and the seat and rest space properly maintained.
The straightforward approach is to give everything a place, protect high-use surfaces, include the interior in daily checks and leave the cab ready for the next journey.
This article provides general information and does not replace operator procedures, official guidance or the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.
Sources
DAF Trucks: Product innovations at IAA Transportation 2026 — 14 September 2026
HSE: Make sure vehicles used for work are safe — accessed 14 September 2026
DVSA: Carry out HGV daily walkaround checks — updated 2 October 2023
DVSA: Drivers' hours and tachographs for goods vehicles — updated 1 July 2026
