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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best car for a new driver?
By Sandra KinslerSomething safe. By that, we mean a vehicle that can withstand a normal crash and also one that a new driver is less likely to attempt to pretend is a race car. If you give a 16 year old a sporty Mustang with a convertible top, they are more likely to drive it like a sports car than the family's used minivan.
We often recommend pre-owned minivans, Volvos, Tauruses, Sables, Malibus, Camrys, Accords or any other boring, mid-size sedan with a smaller engine. These are vehicles that won't play into driving fantasies, at least not as much as a sports car, SUV or truck.
Most accidents are not with other motorists, but with stationary objects like poles, cars, center dividers and walls. Make sure to look at both the NHTSA and IIHS crash test ratings. Vehicles with double 5-Star ratings are the best choice. New drivers tend to over-estimate their skill level and end up in a ditch upside down or wrapped around a tree. The sturdier the vehicle, the better. Looks don't matter.
It is also important to get a car that the person is comfortable with. Getting a big truck, sport utility or high-performance car can be a serious mistake. These cars require additional skills and a level of attention that new drivers don't have. Smaller cars are better, but not subcompacts. Smaller vehicles have less mass and thus take less effort to stop. Smaller cars are easier to maneuver and park, and less easily nicked.
Many parents considering a vehicle for a teen focus on price rather than safety. So often we hear parents buying unsafe compacts or large trucks because that is what their budget allows, or the child's pressure brings. Those are among the worst possible choices. So consider a good used mid-size sedan before something that is cheap or hip.
Tell you child that it isn't a matter of IF they will hit something, it is a matter of WHEN. Everyone does it. Don't spend money on a car you'll be heartbroken over, if it gets damaged. Because it will.
For more information on crash test data read the article "Crash Test Ratings From NHTSA and the IIHS" By Sandra Kinsler.
Also read the articles about buying a safer car at www.nhtsa.gov. Consumers can read or obtain the NHTSA brochure "Buying a Safer Car 2001" or "Buying A Safer Car For Child Passengers" through the website or toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 for help answering safety questions.
