Shopping for Gifts For New Drivers can be exciting! It’s a chance to celebrate their newfound freedom while also equipping them for safe and confident driving. If you’re searching for the perfect present for a newly licensed driver, look no further. This guide is packed with thoughtful and practical gift ideas that go beyond the ordinary, ensuring they’re well-prepared for the road ahead.
1. Roadside Emergency Kit: A Gift of Preparedness
Accidents and car troubles are unfortunately a part of driving. A roadside emergency kit is a supremely practical gift, offering peace of mind for both the new driver and their loved ones. It’s a compact collection of essential tools and supplies designed to handle unexpected situations, from flat tires to dead batteries.
The General Medi 127-piece roadside car emergency kit is a comprehensive option, containing jumper cables for jump-starting a car, a tow rope for vehicle recovery, a safety vest to enhance visibility, an emergency triangle to warn oncoming traffic, a basic first aid kit for minor injuries, and an emergency blanket for warmth. All these crucial items are neatly organized in a durable duffle bag, making it easy to store in the trunk without taking up excessive space.
Get the General Medi 127-piece roadside car emergency kit at Amazon for $48.25
2. Hands-Free Phone Mount: Prioritizing Safe Driving Habits
In today’s connected world, smartphones are indispensable for navigation and communication. However, distracted driving is a major safety concern, especially for new drivers. A hands-free phone mount is a responsible and thoughtful gift that promotes safe driving practices. It allows new drivers to use their phones for GPS directions or hands-free calls without taking their eyes off the road or hands off the wheel.
The iOttie Connect phone mount holder goes a step further by integrating Amazon Alexa. This smart feature enables voice commands for navigation, music control, and even checking weather updates, all without touching the phone. It also doubles as a wireless charger, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, ensuring their phone stays powered up on the go.
Get the iOttie Connect Phone Mount Holder on Amazon for $58
3. Tire Repair Kit: Empowering Self-Sufficiency on the Road
Flat tires are an inevitable part of driving, and knowing how to handle them is a valuable skill for any driver. A tire repair kit is a practical gift that empowers new drivers to fix minor tire punctures themselves, saving time and money, especially in non-emergency situations.
The Orcish 70-piece Tire Repair Kit provides all the necessary tools to remove nails or screws from tires and effectively seal the hole. It’s designed for ease of use and can repair most punctures within minutes. While the kit includes instructions, supplementing it with a DIY video tutorial watched together with the new driver can significantly boost their confidence and preparedness. Practicing on an old tire beforehand can further solidify their understanding of the process.
Get the Orcish 70-piece Tire Repair Kit on Amazon for $22
4. Portable Car Jump Starter and Tire Inflator: An All-in-One Solution
Jumper cables are helpful when another car is available, but a portable car jump starter and tire inflator offers independent assistance in battery and tire emergencies. This multi-functional device is an excellent gift for new drivers, providing self-reliance in common roadside situations.
The Ultimate Roadside Rescue Assistant is an 8-in-1 rechargeable power source, functioning as an emergency car battery jump starter, an air compressor for inflating tires, a generator for powering small devices, a work light for nighttime visibility, a phone charger, and an emergency flasher for signaling help. Though it requires an initial 24-hour charge, its long-lasting utility makes it a worthwhile investment and a valuable addition to any vehicle, ensuring the new driver is equipped to handle various unexpected events.
Get the Ultimate Roadside Rescue Assistant on Amazon for $159
5. AAA Membership: The Gift of Roadside Peace of Mind
Roadside assistance services provide invaluable support during car breakdowns and emergencies. A AAA membership is a gift of security and convenience, offering 24/7 access to professional help whenever and wherever it’s needed.
A AAA membership includes a range of services such as tire changes, battery jump-starts, towing to repair shops, fuel delivery if they run out of gas, and lockout assistance if keys are lost or locked inside the car. Depending on your existing membership level, you might be able to add a family member as an associate at a reduced cost or even for free. Gift memberships are available at different service levels, from Classic (offering up to 5 miles of towing) to Premier (covering up to 200 miles of towing), with prices varying based on location and coverage level.
6. Car Air Fresheners: Maintaining a Fresh and Pleasant Vehicle
New cars have that desirable “new car smell,” but it can quickly fade with daily use, especially with teens transporting sports gear or snacks. Car air fresheners are a simple yet appreciated gift to help new drivers maintain a fresh and pleasant car interior.
Febreze Unstopables Car Fresh Vent Clips are designed to eliminate odors for up to 30 days. These vent clips easily attach to car vents and release odor-eliminating fragrance with a simple push. While effective, it’s worth noting that they may need replacement more frequently in hotter climates due to faster fragrance dispersion.
Get a 3-pack of Febreze Unstopables Car Fresh Vent Clips on Amazon for $8
7. Bluetooth Key Finder: Never Lose Keys Again
Misplacing keys is a common frustration, especially for busy teenagers. A Bluetooth key finder is a tech-savvy and practical gift that helps new drivers quickly locate their car keys, saving time and reducing stress.
The Tile Mate Bluetooth tracker attaches easily to a keyring. By downloading the Tile app and pairing it with the tracker, users can “ring” their keys from their smartphone, making the Tile Mate emit a sound for easy location. With a 250-foot range, it’s effective for finding keys within a reasonable distance. The Tile app also displays the last known location of the tracker on a map, useful if keys are left elsewhere.
Get a Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker on Amazon for $20
8. Car Cleaning Kit: Keeping Their Ride Sparkling
Pride in ownership often extends to keeping a car clean and well-maintained. A car cleaning kit is a thoughtful gift that provides new drivers with the supplies to keep their vehicles looking their best, both inside and out.
Armor All’s Car Wash and Cleaner Kit includes essential cleaning items like glass wipes, Ultra Shine Wash & Wax concentrate, and Tire Foam & Protectant spray. These products enable drivers to effectively clean and polish both the interior and exterior surfaces of their car. For a creative presentation, consider packaging the kit in a bucket along with microfiber cloths for drying and polishing. Adding a stain remover like Folex Carpet Spot Remover can further enhance their car cleaning arsenal, tackling upholstery and carpet stains effectively.
9. Advanced Driving Skills Class: Enhancing Safety and Confidence
Standard driver’s education classes cover the basics, but advanced driving skills training can significantly improve a new driver’s ability to handle challenging situations. A Tire Rack Street Survival course is an exceptional gift that offers hands-on practice in accident avoidance and car control.
These day-long courses provide extensive behind-the-wheel experience, focusing on practical skills like emergency braking, skid control, and handling various road conditions. Participants practice maneuvers on surfaces that simulate hydroplaning and icy conditions, building confidence and improving reaction times. Parents who have enrolled their teens in these courses often report a significant increase in their confidence in their child’s driving abilities afterward.
Sign up for a Tire Rack Street Survival Class for $95
10. Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: Promoting Tire Safety and Fuel Efficiency
Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for safety, tire longevity, and fuel efficiency. A digital tire pressure gauge is a practical and easy-to-use gift that encourages new drivers to regularly check and maintain their tire pressure.
Unlike traditional pencil-style gauges, a digital gauge provides a clear and accurate pressure reading. The battery-powered AstroAI Digital Pressure Gauge features an LED light for easy use even in low-light conditions. It automatically shuts off after 30 seconds to conserve battery life and displays pressure in various units (PSI, Bar, KPA, Kgf/cm2). Ensure the new driver is aware of the correct unit to use (PSI is standard in the U.S.) for accurate readings.
Get the AstroAI Digital Pressure Gauge at Amazon for $13
11. Car Trunk Organizer: Keeping Clutter at Bay
Teen drivers often juggle sports equipment, school supplies, and personal items in their cars, leading to trunk clutter. A car trunk organizer is a useful gift to help new drivers keep their vehicles tidy and prevent items from rolling around while driving, enhancing safety and organization.
The Fortem car trunk organizer is collapsible and versatile, featuring adjustable compartments to customize storage space. It includes grippy plastic legs and Velcro strips to secure it in the trunk, along with adjustable straps for anchoring. The standard size offers one to three compartments and comes with a detachable lid, providing ample space and configuration options for various storage needs.
Get the Fortem Car Trunk Organizer at Amazon for $25
12. Personalized License Plate Frames: Adding a Touch of Style
License plate frames are a fun way to personalize a car and reflect the driver’s personality. Before purchasing, it’s important to check local state regulations regarding license plate frames, as laws vary and may restrict frames that obscure license plate numbers or registration stickers.
Zazzle offers a wide selection of customizable license plate frames in various styles, including glitter, artistic, and patriotic designs. Consider creating a mock-up with the recipient’s state license plate to ensure the chosen frame is both legal and aesthetically pleasing.
Get a license plate frame at Zazzle starting at $22
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Prices are accurate as of the article’s publication date but are subject to change.
