The best small cars for learner drivers

When you are looking for a vehicle for an inexperienced driver, safety should always be near the top of your list of priorities, especially given the greater risk of a new driver being involved in an accident. However, the first car for new drivers is very often a second hand model and due to budget constraints, may not have many of the safety features which are taken for granted on more modern vehicles.



If you choose a second-hand vehicle, it is very important to have a safety check conducted and to find out as much as possible about the vehicle’s history. Motoring organisations can provide an independent safety check service.



Car insurance is another important issue to consider, as insurance can cost more than the car if a person is less than 20 years of age. Choosing a small car can help keep costs down. In addition to being cheaper to insure, their lighter controls, good vision and smaller dimensions make small cars ideal for learners.



If you’re helping your child select a car, make sure they sit in a comfortable driving position and then make sure to check the following:

Firstly, good all-round, unobstructed visibility is vital. Check whether the pillars between the front and side windows and the space taken up by the door mirrors still allow you to see forward without moving your head.



Check you can see, comfortably reach and operate all the instruments and controls.
Adjust your seat so that you can fully depress the clutch pedal (unless it is an automatic vehicle, in that case you rest your left foot flat on the floor). You may be able to raise or lower the seat to make the driving position more comfortable and obtain a clearer view.



Then, you should not sit too close to the steering wheel. If you need to sit too close in order to reach the pedals or controls, check whether the manufacturer can adjust the pedals. The steering wheel is also adjustable in some vehicles. Otherwise, consider looking for an alternative vehicle.



Last but not least, always test drive a vehicle. The person who will be driving the car will obviously need to test drive it themselves, as they will be the person who actually drives it in the future on a regular basis. However, if you’re buying on behalf of someone else, it is also important that you test drive the vehicle yourself, as an inexperienced driver may not detect potential faults. When taking the vehicle for a test drive, check that it is running smoothly and working properly, you have a good, clear view while driving and when doing manoeuvres such as reversing, you can see and operate all the instruments and controls with ease.



For many parents who are buying a car that their children can learn in, safety is the most important aspect. In general, the newer the car, the safer it will be. Newer cars will usually be equipped with anti-lock brakes to help keep them out of trouble together with airbags and energy absorbing structures to help protect them in an accident. If you’re buying on behalf of your child, small problems such as
car glass repairs will be the least of your worries once they have their own set of wheels!



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.