Getting your driving license is a big deal. Especially if you pass after your first try. I’ve heard of friends who have taken their test more than 5 times without getting their ticket to asphalt freedom. But what comes after that? You’d need a car and that usually doesn’t come easy.

So what is the best car for a driving noob to have? Sure you may have gotten 6 points or less for your test but that doesn’t prepare you for the battle on the roads with yobs who don’t signal while changing lanes on an expressway, or tail-gating addicts who stick to your ass throughout your journey not giving up till you eventually have to change lanes to let them pass with their HID headlamps on high beam. Well, in my opinion, a small and agile car would be ideal. Say a Suzuki Swift or a Golf for the more well off citizens. In other words, preferably cars that have enough punch to get you from 60-100km/h in a jiffy otherwise changing lanes is going to be a nightmare. And to me that’s one of the biggest fears of a new driver, especially on expressways.

As they say, sometimes more power can be safer and I agree. If the car is underpowered, you’ll end up taking forever to switch lanes because you can’t get up to speed fast enough which may result in you missing an exit or being stuck behind a huge trailer not knowing when its enormous steel rods may fall of the back into your windscreen.

Another problem that I’ve experienced when I first got my license is heavy vehicles. They never fail to give you that sense that you are going to get crushed because none of their indicators work so you won’t know when they’re pulling out and that the blind spots on such vehicles are huge. Not to mention most of the drivers don’t travel within their speed limits. My solution? Power out from their blind spots if you are alongside them. Best car for this? I found the Citroen C4 1.6 a pretty good car and its engine is relatively perky giving you enough oomph to get out of tricky spots. Another good choice would be the Honda Jazz or the Mazda 2. Both are light and agile which gives you good maneuverability with enough acceleration. I guess the Honda City will do well in this sense too.

I’m sure there are a lot more cars out there that will suit driving green horns but I think my choice would be the C4 with its excellent handling and its suspension that gives you the confidence through the corners. Steering is well weighted, not too light and neither is it devoid of all feel of the road. Its easy to park with good visibility and the car is rather pretty as well.

If you have any other suggestions please leave a comment!

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