Got a new driver who just earned their license on your gifting list this year? We’ve got plenty of ideas to help you find the best gift possible. New drivers are still getting used to the ins and outs (and many challenges!) of hitting the road regularly, which means the best gifts for them are often those that double as useful and safety-enhancing.
Of course, you also want something that’ll infuse a little fun -- and personality, too. From steering wheel covers that add a pop of color to gas gift cards that can help make fueling up a little easier on a new driver’s wallet, there are so many options you can choose from. Below, we’re sharing eight of our favorite gifts for new drivers, with a combination of options that’ll keep new license holders safe, comfortable, and confident behind the wheel.
Car Care and Cleaning Products
Getting a car of their very own is so much more thrilling for a new driver than being handed the keys for the very first time. As a result, every new driver wants to take extra-great care of their vehicle and provide the regular TLC it needs to look its best. One of the best gifts you can give a new driver, then, is a bundle of car care and cleaning products.
We suggest gifting a mix of different car care and cleaning essentials for both the exterior and interior. Options like car wash soap, tire cleaner, a set of scrubbers, brushes, and microfiber towels, along with leather conditioner or upholstery cleaner can all help a driver care for their vehicle from top to bottom, inside out. Oh, and don’t forget handy extras like odor eliminators or interior wipes that can be used for quick cleanups, too.
For an even more comprehensive gift, you can bundle these items into a car organizer – or a bucket, which they’ll use often while cleaning!
A Handy Phone Mount
Help the new driver in your life stay safe and distraction-free on the road by gifting them a hands-free phone mount. These mounts, which come in a variety of different styles, can be placed pretty much anywhere within the driver’s line of sight – there are options for cup holder mounts, vent clip mounts, and even windshield mounts.
The best car phone mounts are those that’ll keep young drivers’ hands on the wheel while still allowing them to use features like voice texting, phone calls, and maps or navigation. Look for options that’ll keep distractions to a minimum, while still making it easy to stay connected when necessary for road trips or new routes they’re driving for the first time.
A Road-Ready Dash Cam
The unexpected happens when you’re behind the wheel, and it’s only a matter of time before something unpredictable occurs while a new driver is on the road. To ensure they’re covered in the event of wild, weird, or dangerous happenings – like accidents – we recommend giving them the gift of a dash cam.
A dash cam can capture everything that’s happening in the driver’s line of sight, offering an extra layer of protection and reassurance. After all, what experienced driver hasn’t wished for footage to back up their side of an accident before?
You can choose from a number of different dash cam sizes and styles with varying features from brands like WaspCam, Brandmotion, and ASA Electronics. Look for one that’s easy to manage, as a dash cam that a new driver can trust to automatically power on and off without any intervention will ensure they’re recording every time they start their engine.
A Convenient Car Organizer
No matter how much cargo space your new driver’s vehicle may have, a car organizer is still the perfect place to corral all of those loose odds and ends – and it can also work as an emergency kit, with space to stash jump starters and cables, first aid kits, and other supplies. With options in every size, including expandable organizers, it provides a set place to put items that might otherwise roll around and ultimately get lost.
While there are plenty of different car organizer options you can choose from, we like the durable and long-lasting options from WeatherTech, Covercraft, and Coverking. These brands offer organizers that are built for the long haul and they can handle everyday use (plus all of the wear and tear that comes with daily driving).
Winter Car Essentials
Anew driver likely doesn’t know exactly what they’ll need when they hit the road during the winter months. Sure, they probably covered the basics like ice scrapers and snow brushes in driver’s ed, but what about all of the other cold-weather crises that can pop up? Make sure they’re prepared by giving them a gift they’ll use year after year: a set of winter car essentials.
You can build your own gift basket and include tools or accessories you yourself use regularly, or stick with the basics that belong in every driver’s arsenal. We suggest:
- A durable ice scraper and brush tool
- A shovel
- Traction mats or recovery boards
- Jumper cables
- An emergency blanket
- A flashlight
- Spare cell phone charger or portable battery
- Hand warmers
- Road flares
- A first aid kit
Durable, All-Weather Wipers
Speaking of winter essentials, another one of our favorite gifts for new drivers is a set of tough windshield wipers. During the coldest months of the year, harsh weather can make visibility a challenge, and every driver needs a quality set of wipers to be able to see clearly in the face of rain, frost, snowfall, fog, and more. Wipers are a sensible gift that can upgrade existing or old wipers for a new driver who may not immediately think to replace them.
When it comes to winter-ready wipers, we like the blades from reputable brands like Rain-X, Trico, Bosch, and ANCO. Best of all, for shoppers on a budget, a quality set of wiper blades won’t break the bank; you can find top-tier options at a reasonable price.
Protective Car Seat Covers and Floor Mats
Whether the new driver you’re shopping for has a brand-new car of their own or a used car they’re working with, a set of durable seat covers is always a great gift idea. Seat covers can protect brand-new leather and fabric upholstery from frequently sitting, moving, and general wear, and they can also help cover up less-than-perfect seats in older vehicles. You can opt for customized covers that are made to suit specific makes and models, or you can go a bit more general and opt for covers that fit many different vehicle seats.
A tough and protective set of floor mats is another great interior gift for new drivers. You can pair floor mats with seat covers for a bigger gift, or opt for whichever your giftee needs most. We love how many options there are in floor mats – if you live in a cold climate, you can give the gift of extra-protective options from WeatherTech and Husky Liners that will trap water, dirt, and debris, or you can choose a less extensive option for warmer climates with less weather variation.
Regardless of what kind of floor mats or seat covers you decide on, these are two of the best gifts for keeping a car’s interior looking its best for years to come. And that’s a gift a new driver will always be grateful for!
A Compact, Powerful Jump Starter
When you’re still new behind the wheel, getting stranded or stuck with a car that won’t start is pretty frightening, even if you aren’t too far from home. Take a dead battery (or failed starts in cold weather) off your driver’s list of concerns and give them the gift of portable power with a handy portable jump starter. These devices, which come in an array of sizes and power offerings, are small enough to stash in a glove compartment or trunk until they’re needed.
We like the powerful and easy-to-use options from brands like NOCO and Schumacher, two leaders in the portable jump starter market. These jump starters are quite powerful, and they’ll work for pretty much any vehicle on the road. Plus, they come with helpful features for new drivers – like an error-proof design that ensures even first-time users can figure out how to properly jump their car.