Gift Guide for the New Driver in the Family

Your Teenager Has a Driver’s License!

Remember when you were a new teen driver and looking forward to getting your first car? You studied hard, practiced your driving skills in the car with a nervous parent, passed the driving test, and got a driver’s license. One of the coolest things to happen in your life, right? You know exactly what this kid is going through.

That first taste of freedom. A major responsibility to be sure. The first step toward adulthood that leads to much, much harder stuff. Like jobs, student loans, and mortgages. For now, it’s gas, a car payment, and insurance premiums.

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But let’s celebrate the new car before we harsh the mellow with reality.

I’ve got some suggestions for the perfect gift that will also be helpful in this new world of car ownership. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Basic Tools for the New Driver

Make sure your new driver is familiar with the vehicle. Having a manual for the vehicle is a no-brainer. It takes more than just filling with fuel…or plugging it in to keep it running smoothly.

What’s the proper tire pressure for safe driving? How do you use a tire gauge? How do you change a tire?

What’s the correct weight oil to use? How do you check the pressure and where does the oil go?

Keeping up with the basics is a good start. But, as anybody who drives a car (especially an older car) knows, things happen!

What is that crazy blinking red light? Or worse, “what’s that smell”?

I have a flat tire. My car won’t start.

Keep basic tools on hand to solve some of the easy problems if your teen is stranded on the side of the road.

I’ve kept a Swiss Army knife, tire pressure gauge and a flashlight in my glovebox for as long as I can remember.

Hey, I grew up with the original MacGyver!

Tools to keep in the car

For a more practical gift choose from a variety of useful tools that will help solve simple problems.

A great kit would include 3 or 4 in a handy organizer. Include a printout of troubleshooting or safety tips to avoid a bigger problem.

In case of emergency

Having a AAA Membership or other emergency roadside assistance service is money well spent. Check the cost through your auto insurance or credit card company for basic services like towing, tire change, fuel, and a jump start.

It’s still a good idea to have some tools on hand in case of an emergency roadside situation.

Make sure your new driver knows how to change a tire and use the jumper cables. It’s just taking up space if your little darling doesn’t know how to use it when the time comes.

While cool gifts might vary from person to person the response to an emergency situation should be the same for teen girls as for teen boys. Your teen’s safety is largely dependent upon their ability to respond appropriately to any situation they face.

Besides, you know what a huge confidence builder it is to know how to solve problems.

The issue of your teen’s phone is probably a subject of great concern. Having a phone in your hand while driving is not legal in more and more places.

While there are a variety of options for a phone mount available, I won’t be recommending them here. Turning the phone off when driving is probably the safest choice.

For extreme conditions

Keep in mind the particular challenges you might face in your neck of the woods. Consider snow gear, grit or sand, and space blankets for emergencies in cold weather.

Bottled water and power bars are great items to have on hand for those times when faced with prolonged traffic jams or detours. Road construction is a fact of life!

Keep reflectors or caution cones in the car to increase visibility in the event of a breakdown at night.

A few simple items can mean the difference between an annoying situation and life or death.

Keep it Clean

Besides keeping the car safe and well-maintained, the new driver needs to keep it clean. I heard somewhere that a clean car lasts longer. That may just be something my mom told me, but I still heed the advice.

In any event, a car is a major expense and it should be cared for as such. Wet wipes and small trash bags go a long way in keeping it from becoming a garbage scow on wheels.

Fun stuff for your new driver

Add a personal touch with car accessories such as keychains, seat covers, document holders, or car cup holder inserts.

Just like their room decor look for the different colors that would be the perfect choice for the new driver gift.

Be prepared for anything

Keep the car stocked with incidentals that might be needed. Being prepared for the inconvenient situation that invariably arises is a lot less stressful and messy when you have what you need on hand to deal with it.

Use either travel-size packages or repack them in smaller containers to make a customized New Driver Survival Kit. Small pill bottles, matchboxes, and snack baggies can be used to create mini-first aid kits. Make a note of the date that they’re added to the car and replenish as necessary.

Pack everything into a small tote, basket, or even a repurposed shoe box to make a carryall for a survival kit.

kleenex tissues
kleenex wipes
bandaid first aid kit
barf bags
sunscreen
Tylenol aspirin
antacids
hand sanitizer

Find something practical or fun for the new driver in your family.