While learning to drive is an exciting rite of passage for many teenagers, it’s often an equally fraught time for their parents.
And with only 13% of parents convinced they themselves could pass the current driving test without lessons, it’s easy to see why they’ve transferred their fears to their nearest and dearest.
The research from AA Cars, which asked parents how they feel about their children starting to drive, found that while safety was an important factor, it wasn’t the be-all and end-all for parents when picking out that first car.
While six in ten (61%) parents were more concerned about buying their child a car that was more safe than affordable, a third (32%) either favoured cost over safety or thought both factors needed equal consideration.
On top of that, only four in ten (42%) knew to, or would check, safety performance assessment programmes – such as Euro NCAP – before purchasing their child a car.
Parents were also concerned about once their brood had qualified, with 60% admitting they’d feel more comfortable if their child’s car was sporting P-plates.
Nearly half (45%) said that they wouldn’t allow their loved one’s friends in the car immediately after they’d passed – with 27% themselves admitting they’d also feel unsafe being driven by their child shortly after passing their test.
As student’s pick up their A-level results this week, the research found that a third (34%) of parents would be happy to buy their first car as a reward.