All You Need To Know About Your First Car

Posted on Apr 5 2016 - 8:06am by Editor

If you’re a new driver, then buying a car will be an entirely new experience for you. So, you won’t know what to do, or what needs to be considered. Here are some key things that you need to know about buying your first car.

Buying The Right Car

Buying The Right Car

You may not know this, but there are certain cars that are ideal for new drivers. If you’ve just passed your test, then you want something that’s easy to drive and not a handful. This immediately rules out big 4×4 cars or sports cars. Don’t be silly and think you can manage these vehicles. It’s likely the only car you’ve driven is a hatchback or supermini as these are ideal learner cars. So, buy one that’s similar to the car you learnt to drive in. This will make life easier for you and ease you onto the roads. Once you’re a confident driver with a year or two of experience, then you’re ready for the tougher cars.

Vehicle Registration

Vehicle registration is one of those things that new drivers often don’t think about. It’s not something you hear people talking about because it’s a boring part of owning a car. However, by law, you need to register your car and number plates with the government. If you get caught with unregistered plates, then you’re in all sorts of legal trouble. New drivers will never have registered a vehicle in their life, so can be a bit confused. Your best bet is to Google ‘vehicle registration’ and it should take you to your government site. Then, you’ll find all the information you need.

Car Insurance

Another thing you’ll need is car insurance. If your car isn’t insured, then it will be a big problem for you. Insurance covers you when things go wrong, and your vehicle gets damaged. If you get into an accident and your need to pay for repairs, the insurance company will cover the costs. Similarly, they can provide courtesy cars if you have a breakdown and need a vehicle to drive while yours is getting prepared. Most importantly, it’s illegal to drive a car that isn’t insured. So, if you want to drive your car without any trouble, you must buy insurance.

Road Tax

Finally, you have to understand that all vehicles are taxed. Owners have to pay a yearly tax fee on their cars, or they can’t drive them. You pay your tax, then get a little tax disc in the post which you have to display on your windscreen. It’s not a difficult process, and you’ll get notified each year when you have to pay and how much. But, for new car owners, you’ve never done it before and so won’t be notified of anything. Again, like with registration, it’s best to Google local tax rates and how to pay.

Keep these key issues in mind and you’ll have everything covered. My final words of advice are to shop around for the best deals possible. You don’t need to break the bank when you buy a car, be sensible as there are lots of other things to pay for too!