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For many teenagers, getting a driver’s license and driving on their own is a major milestone. It marks a new stage of independence and responsibility in their life. Many friends and family members like to celebrate the occasion by giving a gift to the new teen driver.
Here is a complete list of some of the best gifts that a new teen driver can get. We tried to keep the list full of practical items instead of useless gadgets. These are gifts that will be appreciated and used by the new driver. Not only that, many of these items can even help give some peace of mind to the gift giver. Many of the products mentioned in this list are not just useful for a new driver. They are great items to have for all drivers new and old!
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If your new teen driver is like any of the ones we know, there will eventually be a time (or three) that they misplace their keys. Luckily, thanks to products like the Tile or an Apple Airtag, the keys to the car won’t be lost for long! They can be attached to the car keys and can be found using the teen’s smartphone.
If you go with the Apple Airtag over the Tile, remember that you will need to purchase an additional Airtag holder to attach it to your key ring. Tile has several variations that include the ability to attach to a key ring right out of the box.
2. All-Weather Floor Mats
Having all-weather mats is something we recommend not only for teen drivers, but really everyone. They help make cleaning the interior a breeze. All-weather floor mats contain dirt, debris and liquid as well as helping to prevent permanent staining or damage to the original carpet. There are nearly limitless options – both from the car manufacturer and aftermarket to match nearly any budget. Amazon has wide selection of all weather mats.
3. A Set of Winter and Summer Tires
Tires are vital when it comes to the safety performance of any vehicle. Having the appropriate tires for the driving/weather conditions can literally mean the difference between an accident and a near miss. Although all season tires can be a happy compromise, no all season tire can fully match the performance of a dedicated set of winter and summer tires. If your new teen driver lives in an area that gets snow and ice, a dedicated set of winter rubber could possibly save their life. If they have an empty corner of the garage (or any other area to store an extra set of wheels and tires), it could possibly be the most valuable gift your new teen driver receives.
4. AAA Membership
A gifted membership to AAA can be a HUGE lifesaver for a new (or any) driver. AAA is famous for important roadside assistance services, such as towing if your new driver has a breakdown on the side of the road or runs out of gas. This gift is a win-win in our book since it not only helps the new driver, but also provides peace of mind to the gift giver. You will not have to worry as much about your new driver out on the open road.
5. Cupholder Phone Mount
This gadget can be very useful and also contribute to the safety of your new teen driver. Many cars do not have a convenient place to safely keep a phone without it flying around the interior of the vehicle. A cupholder phone mount not only secures the mobile device in the car, but can also provide a safer place to hold the phone when using navigation or handsfree calls. Without this, many teens resort to keeping their phone loosely in their lap or holding it on their hand while they drive.
6. Fuel Gift Cards
Nothing hits new teen drivers harder than having to pay for gas. The most welcome gift a teen can receive is help with the cost of gas. Gift cards for gas are certainly going to be used and it will allow your new driver to enjoy the open road without worrying too much about how much every trip is going to cost them. Let’s face it, nobody enjoys paying for gas!
7. Car Wash Gift Cards or Subscriptions
A new (or previously loved) car usually gives a new driver a sense of pride. One way new drivers like to show pride in their new ride is by keeping it clean. You can help with the cost of them taking care of their car by gifting them car washes. Many professional car washes offer monthly subscriptions that allow for a certain number of car washes. If their favorite car wash doesn’t offer a subscription, it most likely sells gift cards, which will be an equally appreciated gift.
8. Car Wash Supplies
If your new teen driver prefers to wash their car themself a gift of car wash supplies can come in handy! Target sells a host of car wash supplies from buckets and soap to detailing supplies. These items can be ordered online and conveniently delivered directly to them.
9. Key Ring
There are so many options for stylish key rings at any budget so there is no reason for your new driver to not have the perfect one. Etsy seems to sell the widest variety of key rings. We love the repurposed and upcycled key rings!
10. Ice Scraper Kit
This is a simple and sometimes obvious one, but if your new driver lives in (or ever road trips to) an area that gets snow, an ice scraper kit can be the perfect useful gift! They come in all shapes and sizes and Amazon has a wide selection. Don’t let your teen hit the road without properly cleaning the snow and ice off their car!
11. Emergency Hammer and Seatbelt Cutter
This is a tool every vehicle should have no matter where you drive. It is designed to easily break automotive glass and also cut seatbelts quickly. A gift like this can literally be a lifesaver in the worst possible situations.
12. Trunk/Cargo Organizer
Nothing bothers us more than hearing our groceries rolling around in the trunk on our way home from the grocery store. A cargo area organizer is a great way to keep your groceries from falling out of the bags or that heavy watermelon from rolling around all over the place. A new driver may not think of even getting a trunk/cargo organizer, but they wont complain once they use it. They come in all shapes and sizes and price points. Many car manufacturers even design and sell them specifically for each vehicle These can be purchased from a dealer or manufacturer website. Amazon also has a large selection on their website that can be shipped right to your new driver’s doorstep.
13. Wireless Charging Pad
Wireless charging has become a very popular feature in many new cars. You just place your phone on the pad and it begins charging! Unfortunately, many new drivers don’t have brand new cars. Not to worry! Many companies sell universal wireless charging pads for the car. A wireless charging pad can be a much safer way to make sure a phone is charged when on the road instead of searching for the cord and plugging it in.
14. Premium Music Subscription
There is nothing better for a new driver than having their favorite music in the car while on the road. Chances are they already use a music streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music. You could gift them a few months of ad free listening! Another option is to renew their car’s Sirius XM subscription if you think they will enjoy satellite radio. Cars have been available with Sirius XM for years now, so even if they have a used car, it could be equipped.
15. Activate/Renew Car’s Emergency Button
Another bit of peace of mind for a parent or loved one of a new driver is having an active emergency call button in their car. Many car manufacturers have had such systems in their cars for years (OnStar, Safety Connect etc.). Typically the services are only active for a few years from when the car is new, but they can usually be renewed for an annual fee. So no matter if your new driver has a new or previously loved car, the service associated with that red SOS emergency button built into the car can usually be reactivated. Visit the car manufacturer’s website for more information.
16. Subscription to Car’s App
A lot of cars these days are equipped with mobile phone apps that can do a variety of things. They can lock or unlock the car remotely or even allow the user to track the cars location if it were to get stolen. Some manufacturers charge users for the ability to use the app and when they do it’s usually not super cheap. Paying for your new driver’s app subscription will be a highly appreciated gift. Visit the car manufacturer’s website for more information.
17. Dash Cam
One of the most important things when it comes to safety and security while owning a car is having a dash cam. Video evidence of an accident can prove your new driver innocent and help keep the car secure even when it is not occupied. A visible dash cam in a car can possibly help prevent a break in to begin with. At least it would provide video footage of theft or vandalism that can given to the police. Amazon sells a host of dash cams with different price ranges for any budget.
18. Teen Driving Course
Knowing how to handle a car at the limit of traction and beyond is vital to avoiding an accident and potentially saving the life of not only the teen driver but other drivers on the road. We feel very strongly about the importance of driving schools like the BMW Performance Driving School’s Teen School. They offer both one-day and two-day sessions at either the South Carolina or California locations. The school aims to teach new drivers to be comfortable making life saving maneuvers like emergency lane changes and panic braking, as well as demonstrating the dangers of distracted driving. The classes are open to all drivers (so owning a BMW is not a requirement at all). The Performance Driving School also offers other classes for drivers of all skill levels and ages.
19. Portable Jump Start Kit
If you don’t decide to go with gifting a AAA membership for your new driver, a portable jumpstart kit can be a great gift. It can help your stranded new driver make it home in the event of a dead battery. Thanks to modern technology, they are now surprisingly light and compact allowing for easy storage in the car. They are rechargeable and can even be used as a portable power bank to recharge a dead cell phone! Amazon sells a wide variety of brands with different capabilities and prices.
20. Portable Tire Inflator
A portable tire inflator can be a great compliment to the jumps starter kit mentioned above. We keep one of these in all of our vehicles and have used it multiple times ourselves! It beats being stuck on the side of the road with a leaky tire or having to use a gas station tire inflator when temperature changes set off your tire pressure light. They can purchased online at Amazon.
21. Sunshade
Entering a car parked in the sun for several hours in summer can be brutal. It can also do a number on the interior of a car no matter the type or price of car. One thing that can help with the temperature and protect the interior is a sunshade. We use them in all of our cars daily when parked outside. Amazon sells many varieties online.
Thanks for reading! Hopefully this article helped you find the perfect gift for the new teen driver in your life!
