Your First Car

Everyone remembers the first car they owned but more importantly they remember the first car they ever drove, be it their own or that of a driving instructor.

With the emphasis now more than ever falling on learner drivers owning their own vehicles there are some things to look out for should you decide you want to buy a car to learn to drive in. Many people prefer to buy a car - usually a second hand car - and learn in that, becoming comfortable and familiar with it which helps to boost their confidence and also improve their driving skills. Indeed it is said that people sometimes fail their driving test because they have taken it in a car that is unfamiliar to them.

What Size Car?

If you are learning to drive for the first time it is better you start off in a small car. There are a variety of small cars available in the second hand market place today each with specific features and traits that will appeal to some drivers more than others.

The advantage of driving a small car is that they are easier to handle that some of their larger counterparts and that they do not appear to be as daunting as larger vehicles which obviously look longer on the outside and feel much larger on the inside. Many find the distance from windscreen to the end of the bonnet in a large car disconcerting.

Economy

If you are going to spending a lot of time in your car learning to drive then it needs to not only be comfortable and manoeuvrable but also economic to run. Given that a most learner drivers learn within the confines of a town or city centre environment there will be a lot of stopping and starting required. It is a well known fact that in these circumstances - referred to as 'going around the doors' - that fuel consumption is higher given that the engine needs to use more fuel to move off from its stationary position at traffic lights and junctions.

A smaller car is less likely to use large amounts of fuel and therefore you should get more learning hours for your money.

Insurance

Again insurance is an important aspect of any vehicle and if you are learning to drive then it should be noted that your insurance will automatically be higher than that of a fully qualified driver. In addition the size and type of vehicle you have will also have a bearing on the insurance premiums, as to will the location at which the vehicle is kept and whether the vehicle has an alarm system or not.

When buying your car - and again it is normally a given that as a learner driver your car will be a used car - it is worth asking which insurance group the car falls under and if the vehicle comes fitted with an anti-theft device. Most insurance companies have a comprehensive list of the anti-theft devices fitted to most cars and can tell you how much you will safe if your car has one fitted.

Tax

Your tax (Road Fund Licence) should be another consideration when buying your first car. It is important to take into account how much additional money you will need to spend once you have purchased your car and the cost of insurance and road tax are essentials.

Road Tax (Road Fund Licence) is based upon the size of your car's engine so the larger the engine the more you will have to pay. You can purchase your road tax in increments of six months; the maximum Road Tax being for one year. However it is worth noting that if you have purchased a used vehicle, unless the vehicle has some warranty with it then a year's Road Tax is perhaps a little adventurous. Buying six months worth of Road Tax will give you ample time to learn to drive and will also reduce the amount of money spent.

You should also note that if the vehicle has been off the road prior to you purchasing it that a Statutory Off-Road Notice - known as a SORN - may have been issued. You will need to ensure that the vehicle's logbook (V5) is up to date and that it is taxed and insured before you take it out on the road.

Also it is worth noting that if you are going to learn in the car you are buying that it should comfortably seat two people in the front and also it is best to avoid cars which may be classed as 'sporty'; there are two reasons for this; (a): it will drastically increase your insurance premium and (b): it will also increase the chances of your car being stolen.

Before making any attempt to buy a used vehicle to learn to drive in consult family members and friends who have learned to drive and when buying a vehicle make sure you have someone with a reasonable knowledge of motor vehicle maintenance with you.