Given the large number of automobiles on the market, choosing a car for a young driver is not easy. Between your needs and your budget, you must also take into account several factors:
Choose a less powerful car
For some young drivers, driving a powerful or sporty car is a dream because it is synonymous with power and speed. However, this type of vehicle is expensive to buy, maintain and insure, and generally does not fit into the budget of younger drivers.
On the other hand, less powerful compact city cars may prove to be cars more suitable for a used car. They offer good value for money while being practical. They are easy to drive and park. We can take here as an example the Peugeot 208, the Renault Clio and Twingo…
Some of these models are also available in our catalog, such as the second-hand Peugeot 208 .
Prioritize used cars
It is common to hear that for some people, buying a new car is synonymous with safety and comfort, even if its cost is much higher and the discount is greater. Conversely, second-hand cars, certainly less flashy, are more financially affordable. This is a significant advantage for young drivers.
Opt for a petrol car
At the level of purchase, gasoline vehicles are to be preferred because they are quite simply cheaper than diesel. If you make short trips with your vehicle (less than 20,000 km/year), petrol cars then turn out to be rather profitable.
Choosing the right young driver insurance
The choice of your vehicle has a great influence on your insurance premium. Indeed, some cars can be more expensive to insure than others. This is why it is important to know how to choose the right car insurance when you are a young driver . In general, young drivers are frowned upon by insurers because they are among the drivers often involved in claims. They are thus subject to a 100% premium increase in the first year, which decreases over the years if you do not make any claims. It will be much more difficult to insure yourself if you have a powerful car because this increases the risk of claims.
Some insurances refuse to cover young drivers if their car has a power exceeding 6 horsepower. There is also the value that drives the bonus: the higher the value of the car, the more expensive it is. That’s why low-value cars should be insured.
It is better that you preferably choose a car that has a reputation for being reliable, not very targeted by thieves, low in pollution and with a small engine capacity. You can, however, benefit from better rates if your parents are already insured with the insurance organization you are considering and if they have a bonus or if you have obtained your license by accompanied driving. Signing up as a secondary driver is also a great way to save money.
Speed limits for a novice driver
The probationary license implies certain restrictions for young drivers, in particular concerning speed . Thus, outside built-up areas, when the speed is limited to 90 km/h for all other drivers, young drivers are required not to exceed 80 km/h. Similarly, they must not exceed 110 km/h on sections of motorways where the normal limit is 130 km/h.
Young drivers had until now to lower their speed by 10km/h, outside built-up areas. And from July 1st then? Will they have to limit themselves to 70km / h on departmental roads? No. With the new regulations which, from July 1, will reduce the maximum speed to 80km/h, like other motorists. Nothing changes on the other hand for the other routes.
What rate for new drivers?
Since July 1, 2015, young drivers on a probationary license have a lower legal blood alcohol level in force. This legal blood alcohol level is 0.2 grams per liter of blood, which in practice is equal to 0 glass of alcohol. With the new alcohol limit for young driver, this lowering imposes not to drink, whether it is a glass of wine or even a beer. Zero tolerance applies.
What are the penalties for drunk driving?
As a young driver, if after a police or gendarmerie check you are in violation of alcohol , whether it is contraventional or criminal, sanctions are possible:
If it is a fine: if you have a rate ranging from 0.2g/L to 0.8g/L, you incur a fixed fine of €135 and a withdrawal of 6 points.
If it is an offence: if you have a rate greater than or equal to 0.8g/L, the fine will be up to a maximum of €4,500, and a deduction of 6 points from your driving licence. This penalty is the same as for drugs.