Buying a car for new drivers

For any young driver, getting their licence and a set of wheels is a milestone. As a parent, you can help them make a safer choice.

Your kids may consider the most important questions to be what colour is it? What will their friends think? However, what is most critical is how the car would perform in a crash.

A new driver is statistically more likely to be involved in a crash. Considering they have limited driving experience, they should be in the safest car possible. But as a parent, how do you guide this huge purchase?

The ANCAP website is a great tool for finding the safest possible car. ANCAP crash tests new vehicles on the market. It then awards a 1- to 5-star rating depending on how well it protects its occupants (with 5 stars being the safest). A report by the University's Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) says the safety level of a young driver's car is typically not the first priority of the driver or their parents – but perhaps should be.

"A concern that families might sometimes have is that the teenager might damage the family's primary car, and the cost of repairs and higher excesses become an issue," says report author Associate Professor Robert Anderson, CASR Deputy Director. "But perhaps families could be persuaded to consider whether the main priority ought to be the teenager's safety."

They found that the majority of the cars driven by those under 25 years old had these characteristics: 

• They were worth less than $5,000.
• They had an average age vehicle of 12 to 13 years old.
• Very few vehicles had electronic stability control.

"These older and less expensive cars lag behind those driven by more mature drivers in terms of the level of safety technology," says Associate Professor Anderson. "Because technologies are introduced gradually, the deficits of young drivers' vehicles persist for a long time. Unfortunately, this shows up in the crash statistics for young people."

The difference between a 1- and 5-star rated car

You have twice the chance of being killed or seriously injured in a one-star car compared to a five-star car.

Compare the difference between a 1-, 3- and 5-star rated car on the ANCAP website.

What to ask for when car shopping

When parents search the used car jungle with their young drivers, they are also trying to balance the competing needs of safety, affordability and cost. It is important to realise that a car with a high safety rating doesn't always cost more.

In many cases, you will find reasonably priced vehicles score more stars than expensive cars.

When you check a vehicle's safety star rating, also see if it has safety features you can expect from a 4- or 5-star rated car, such as:

• crumple zones
• electronic stability control
• airbags
• side impact protection
• reinforced occupant compartment
• 3-point seat belts in all positions
• head rests in all seating positions

When shopping for a new car, use the My first car safety checklist (PDF, 162.3 KB).

How the high-performance vehicle ruling affects your car hunt

High-powered vehicle restrictions apply:

• if you hold a provisional licence and are under the age of 25
• if you obtained your P1 on or after 4 September 2010
• if you were disqualified and returned to driving on a P1 licence on or after 4 September 2010.

High-powered vehicle restrictions do not apply:

• if you are 25 years of age or older
• if you obtained your P1 or P2 licence before 4 September 2010
• if you have an exemption certificate.

Breaking the rules

The penalties for driving a high-powered vehicle includes an expiation fine and demerit points.

Read more about high-powered vehicles.