Best car accessories to buy after you pass your driving test

Passing your driving test and getting your very own first car is a very exciting experience. Once you’ve got your car, you might want to personalise it by adding some useful car accessories. There’s a whole range of car accessories and gadgets to choose from these days, we’ve picked out the best and most useful ones for new drivers to consider. From accessories to improve safety or entertainment, we’ve got them all listed here for you.

Our top 5 car accessories

1. Magnetic car phone holder

   Our phones have a lot of useful features designed to assist us while driving, such as GPS navigation and speakerphone for taking calls in the car. Although you should never use your phone when driving, these things can safely be set up before you turn the engine off and set off on your drive. If you’re caught using your phone while driving in the two years after passing your test, you will receive six penalty points and have your licence revoked, so all of that hard work and time put into learning to drive will go to waste. There is nothing worse than having to take your driving lessons again especially if you need driving lessons in Luton or an area that has an extremely busy test centre.

   The safest way to display your phone when driving is to use a proper device to mount it onto your dashboard. Magnetic car phone holders are a great way to display your phone in the car safely. These magnetic phone holders usually clip onto the air vents, keeping your windscreen clear from the typical suction phone holders which can obstruct your view of the road and be dangerous. These reliable and sturdy holders will keep your phone in place and secure, even when turning sharp corners and you will be able to see your phone easily.

2. Water-resistant wing mirror stickers

   Living in the UK, driving in the rain is something we all do regularly. One of the most frustrating things is not being able to see out of your wing mirrors because of the rain and having to reach out of your window to wipe them so you can see out of them. These handy wing mirror stickers are made with a water-resistant material, so rain will not be able to settle on them, leaving your wing mirrors clear from any rain, fog, or mist.

3. Alcohol breathalyser

   Recent studies have shown that 1-in-20 road accidents in the UK involve drink drivers. We all know the dangers of drink driving and not to do it; however, it can be difficult to tell if you’re over the limit or not, especially as alcohol can take a while to your system. Having a breathalyser in your car will take away any uncertainty as to whether or not you’re over the limit.

   If you’re a driver over the age of 18 who drinks, this gadget is a must-have for your car and could be a lifesaver. It’s worth noting that if you’re ever unsure about whether or not you’re over the limit and you don’t have a breathalyser, you should avoid driving. You should also be cautious the morning after drinking as alcohol can stay in your system for a long time. You can purchase a portable breathalyser here or from many other online retailers.

4. Dashcam

   Having a dashcam in your vehicle means if you’re involved in an accident, you have physical evidence at your fingertips to show who was at fault. While dashcams can be expensive, they are worth the investment as they could end up saving you much more if you’re involved in a crash. A pupil having their driving lessons in London had a minor accident during their lesson, thanks to the instructors dashcam they were able to show that they weren’t at fault.

   Dashcams don’t have to take up a lot of room on your windscreen which can be distracting; you can get mini dashcams which are the size of a key ring and barely noticeable. This Garmin mini dashcam automatically saves footage to your phone through an app, so you can easily review footage from different drives.

5. Blindspot mirrors

   If you’ve passed your driving test, you’ll know how important it is to check your blind spots. Many accidents occur due to drivers forgetting to check their blind spots, which is why your driving instructor will show you where your blind spots are and remind you to check them.

   Blindspot mirrors are an effective and affordable way to improve safety while driving by allowing you to see what’s in your blind spot without having to turn your head. Blindspot mirrors can be purchased for under £5 and simply stick to your wing mirrors. If you’re taking driving lessons in London, there are many cyclists and motorbikes on the roads who you’ll need to look out for in your blindspot.

Upgrade your car with affordable accessories

Car accessories are a great way to effectively upgrade the safety and entertainment features in your car without having to spend too much money. The products mentioned here are just some of the ones we think are most useful and worth investing. Be sure to do your research before purchasing any of the above products to make sure you’re getting the best deal and that the product is compatible with your vehicle.