Nowadays, it’s commonplace for parents to buy their teen’s first vehicle. From car keys hidden in a box for their birthday through to a car waiting in the drive when they pass their test, this coming of age ritual can certainly seem like something worth doing, if just to see the look on their faces.

For some parents, however, questions as to whether this is a good move after all have started to put doubt into the trend. Of course, there’s no denying that there are certain benefits from jumping on this bandwagon, including your ability to choose a safer first vehicle. Knowing that they’ve got a car waiting for them also increases the chances that your teen will focus on their lessons and even seek earlier driving tests as soon as they’re able. That said, there are downsides to taking this step for them, too. 

Generations who had to work a bit harder to get their first vehicles would certainly argue that even modern teens could benefit from doing the same. Keep on reading to find out why they could well be right. 

Image by Ron Lach: CC0 License

A secondary lesson in saving

Learning to drive can teach your teen all manner of lessons, including patience and concentration. Having to save for their own vehicle can also prove to be an invaluable learning opportunity that you’d rid them of otherwise. Whether they have to find a job for this purpose or simply set aside a certain amount each month from their existing pay packet, they would certainly learn a thing or two about persistence, finances in general, and the idea of a strong work ethic for getting what you want. 

Developing their understanding of cars

Unless they have a specific interest in cars, the vast majority of new teen drivers don’t know a great deal more than vehicle basis. They certainly won’t know about things like horsepower, torque, and all that other stuff. By comparison, a teen who’s had to research the technicalities of cars in advance of even getting behind their own wheel will have a far better understanding of vehicle intricacies, and thus things like repair and proper performance on the road where necessary. 

An increased sense of satisfaction

Learning to drive can be an incredibly satisfying experience for any teen, helping them to feel more grown-up, and buying them their freedom. As much as they might gripe about having to buy their own car, this step, too, can help them towards that independence. Certainly, the need to work towards, and fund a vehicle by themselves can be a huge step towards adulthood, making them feel way more satisfied in the end than they would have if mum and dad took this last step for them.

Ultimately, whether or not to buy your teen their first car is a personal choice, and there are strong arguments on both sides. Make sure that you consider each side of the coin before you take the helm on a decision that could quickly steer your teen’s driving journey into the wrong lane. 

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