Guide To Your Teen’s First Car

Being apparent is all about preparing your child to make it on his or her own. One of the biggest and most important milestones before your son or daughter becomes an adult is buying his or her first car. Making such a significant purchase helps teens learn how to make decisions that will help them become responsible grown-ups, and it’s your responsibility to guide them through that process. Although you may be tempted to take the wheel, so to speak, it’s better for you to take a backseat and simply be there as a resource as your teen considers all the options.

For instance, you should show your teen how to set a budget and do the research before he or she commits to anything. If your teen knows how much he or she is willing to spend and is prepared to walk away from a car that doesn’t fit into those parameters, that’s an important step toward maturity. Helping your son or daughter find a reputable mechanic who can inspect the vehicle before buying it shows him or her the value of due diligence, forward thinking and planning.

Even after the sale is complete, there are a lot of responsibilities your family’s new driver will have to learn. These include following a regular maintenance schedule, avoiding aggressive driving and keeping the gas tank filled. There’s no doubt that having your teenager get behind the wheel can be one of the most stressful experiences for any parent. However, the lessons he or she can pick up along the way can last a lifetime and help lead him or her successfully to adulthood.

If your child is preparing to buy his or her first car and you’re wondering what steps you’ll need to take, look at the accompanying resource. It contains several important tips and facts to help you guide your teen to success when buying a car — and possibly beyond.

Infographic created by Capital Auto Auction