When you first learn how to drive, it can be an overwhelming experience. You need to keep everything as simple as possible to ease this process for you and others. You want to prove to your parents you are responsible enough to have your vehicle and go out on your own with a car. Insurance cost for new drivers is very high, though. New drivers need to find out how they can bring their insurance costs down. There are ways to get discounts by proving that you are a good driver. You can also make the driving process easier as a beginner by getting a reliable vehicle. We`ll talk about the best vehicles for beginners and how to make those vehicles even safer to use. We`ll also cover the best ways to obtain good insurance for new drivers.
Don`t Buy a Sports Car
Let`s just say that you shouldn`t think about restoring a classic car for your teen as their first driver. Sports cars and similar vehicles are hard to figure out how to drive as a novice. They have big engines, high-performance steering, and great brakes.
This may seem great for beginners, but the reverse is true. These cars are not indicative of what it is like to drive most other vehicles, and it takes more skill sometimes to drive a sports car.
#1 – Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of the most popular vehicles in the world for a reason. It has everything a new driver needs to feel comfortable and safe. The Civic ranks at the top of most safety ratings and tests. It has a variety of models that can range from very basic to sportier models.
You do need to be careful of thieves and criminals when you own a Civic, though. It is one of the most frequently vandalized cars in the country. There isn`t a specific reason for this trend, but new drivers can take extra steps to make sure their Civic isn`t stolen.
Don`t travel to places with high crime rates. Park your car inside of the garage instead of on the street. Lock your car and put in a good alarm system. Put cameras close by aimed at the car so you can identify the perpetrator if there is any criminal activity that occurs.
#2 – Toyota Corolla
Just like the Civic, the Toyota Corolla has a myriad of simplistic features that are great for new drivers. The Corolla is a smaller car and has very high safety ratings. There are also sportier models, just like the Civic, that will make young drivers happy to be seen in the car. This can be a problem with some of these basic cars: kids often are embarrassed to drive them.
The Corolla ranks high with handling, brakes, and automatic transmission compared to similar vehicles. It`s a very complete vehicle that shouldn`t present problems to new drivers. It doesn`t have a weakness, and this is the most important thing for beginners. They need a car that is reliable and simple. It also has a very good fuel economy compared to other sedans.
#3 – Any Subaru Vehicle
Subaru is one of the most trusted brands for parents of new drivers. They are known for innovating with their safety features, and their engines are perhaps the most reliable in the industry. This is so important for young drivers to have a car that won`t break down on the side of the road.
Subarus should also get really good insurance rates because of their reliability and durability. Subarus stay on the road without being replaced for longer periods than any other brand.
Insurance Advice For Beginning Drivers
We`ve already touched on insurance for new drivers, but it`s important to talk about some of the ways youngsters can save money on their policy. Insurance companies view new drivers as a huge risk. They don`t trust that they will stay out of trouble on the road. That means new drivers have to find ways to reverse this poor reputation.
Teens need to make sure they avoid bad behavior that will reflect poorly on their driving record. Things like speeding tickets and DUIs are a lot more damaging to a new driver than an experienced one. Insurance companies don`t have much to go on when evaluating a new driver, so these infractions are going to stand out.
As a parent, if you are worried about your child driving, make them wait until they are 18 to get their license. 16 is very young, and getting an extra two years of maturation can do a lot for their decision-making.
Driving for the first time should be exciting. You need to make sure that you are prepared for the dangers of the road before getting behind the wheel. Find a safe vehicle, and get a solid insurance policy.