Helping to choose your teen’s first car can be both a scary and exciting task for any parent. According to your local driving instructor, there are a number of factors that should be carefully considered in order to purchase the right car for your teen. Making a poor decision on a car purchase could jeopardize your teen’s safety and cost you more money than it should.

Here, a driving instructor shares a few tips to make the process easier:

• Transmission: When choosing a car for your teen, pick one that has an automatic transmission. They are far easier to use compared to their manual counterparts and can be more forgiving to an inexperienced driver.
• Fuel Efficiency: Sports cars and SUVs have powerful engines that use up a lot of gas. Filling up the tank for these types of vehicles can be costly, especially if your teen has a long daily commute. Instead, opt for a fuel-efficient car that gets over 30+ miles per gallon.
• Price: When it comes to price, it all comes down to what car you can afford. A used car may not be as reliable a new one, but it’s an affordable option if you are looking to save money. Whether you buy a used car or a new one, set a budget before going to the dealership and stick to it.
• Safety: As a parent, you’ll want a car that will keep your teen safe in the event of an accident. Though a car with added safety features, such as automatic emergency brakes and forward-collision warnings, may cost you more money, it’ s a worthwhile investment that could be life-saving.

Before purchasing their first car, make sure your teen is ready for the road by enrolling them in a class with a seasoned driving instructor. Sure-Drive Driver’s Training has been conducting comprehensive and engaging driving lessons for over 25 years in the Ft Mitchell, KY, area. Ask about their class schedule by calling (859) 331-0007. You can also visit their website to learn about their in-depth driving courses.