First task is to buy yourself a truck. With limited funds you won't be able to buy a top of the range vehicle. Of course as you get richer you can visit a garage and either upgrade or buy a better truck!

You will then find yourself outside the showroom at the controls of your new truck. Use the on-screen map (top right) to navigate and drive to the depot in search of your first job. You can drive your truck using a variety of controllers - including; keyboard, keyboard + mouse, keyboard + joystick, keyboard + joypad and keyboard + steering wheel.

Remember you are in Europe (I've started in France) and to drive on the correct side of the road. Obey all the traffic signs - including traffic lights - use your indicators when turning, switch your lights on at night - else you will find yourself in trouble.

On entering the Paris depot drive towards and park on the arrow. You can then call up the jobs screen. Note, by moving the mouse you can change the view in the 3D cab so you can see your mirrors.

Look at the jobs available and see what job looks the most profitable. I'm going to take some apples from Paris to Bordeaux.

You can now see your trailer. Your next task is to hook your cab up to the trailer.

In Euro Truck Simulator there's a number of 3D views available. I find top-down view very helpful when reversing my cab towards the trailer.

Well I'm now ready to go, but before setting off I like to look at the on-screen map and plan my exit from the city. Although the layout of the cities in Euro Truck Simulator are greatly simplified you can still find yourself travelling in the wrong direction!

I also call-up the full-screen navigation map to identify which road I need to take.

Euro Truck Simulator lets you drive over a large part of Europe (not the UK) click on the links below to see in-game maps showing the area covered...

Map 1 Map 2

In Euro Truck Simulator you need to keep your eyes on the motorway signs. They will help guide you to your destination.

Don't risk running out of fuel! Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge and if needed stop at a petrol station. Optional fatigue mode can be played which requires you stop and rest.

Looks like the Bordeaux turnoff is approaching. Time advances faster in Euro Truck Simulator than real life - so it has taken me about 20 minutes to get to Bordeaux (as opposed to the many hours it would have taken in real life).

On reaching Bordeaux I use the on-screen map to navigate to the destination. I must now park my truck at the correct loading bay.

So I've successfully made my first delivery. Now I get paid less deductions for things such as traffic offences!

Although it is getting dark I might as well head to the local Bordeaux depot and see what jobs are on offer. As before, on entering a depot head to the arrow where you can find out what jobs are available.