Owning your first car is a very special experience. But what do you need to be aware of when buying a car, and how can you make sure that your choice of vehicle increases your safety as a new driver? We’ve put together some tips for you.
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Have you finally got your driving licence? That’s an amazing feeling of freedom and independence. If you’re now saving up to buy your first car one day, you should ask yourself the following questions:
There are many pros and cons when it comes to buying a car. If you have your own car, you can travel day and night to the precise place you need to go, and you can transport larger items or several shopping bags at the same time. In short, owning a car is convenient and gives you independence. However, cars also involve high costs for purchase and maintenance. And in larger towns in particular, travelling by car isn’t entirely stress-free due to increasing traffic congestion and a shortage of parking spaces. What’s more, car sharing and similar models offer alternatives to owning a car that enable you to enjoy some of the benefits of an individual vehicle. When deciding whether or not to buy your own car, it may help you to compare the costs of a private vehicle, a public transport season ticket (such as a GA Travelcard) or a car sharing subscription.
Before buying a car, do thorough calculations and consider how much money you have available to purchase your first vehicle and how much the maintenance will cost you each month. In addition to the purchase price, for example, you should factor in the following fixed and running costs:
Both the purchase price and the maintenance costs for a car vary widely and depend in particular on the vehicle’s age and model. Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) provides a guide value – although this example may be slightly expensive for a first car: for a car with a new price of 41,000 francs and annual travelling distance of 15,000 kilometres, the maintenance costs amount to around 11,000 francs per year.
Are you looking for an app to help you calculate your personal budget or create a saving plan? Go to the article “Five apps for budget planning”.
Owning your first car is a very special experience. But what makes a good beginner’s car? Vehicles that are safe, easy to drive and not too fast are an advantage for new drivers. The following general criteria could help you to find your ideal first car:
For beginner drivers, it is especially important to choose a car that isn’t too expensive to buy and maintain and that offers good (safety) features. This will ensure that you can afford your car over the longer term and use it reliably.
Tip: as a first car for beginners, it’s worth buying a popular used car rather than an exotic rarity. It is easier to procure spare parts for popular vehicles, which can reduce repair costs significantly.
Small, compact cars are ideal for beginner drivers. There are good reasons for this: a small car is less expensive to buy and consumes less fuel or electricity. Small, nimble cars are also easy to manoeuvre and park.
The technological features should be clear and easy to use. An overabundance of technology can quickly overwhelm and distract new drivers.
Should you buy an electric or petrol car? Get advice from a trusted garage owner. An expert will be happy to explain the pros and cons for you as a new driver.
By law, you have to carry the following items with you in your car.
If you have a breakdown or accident, need to help someone or want to park, the following items could be helpful.
Important when travelling abroad: before driving to another country, check the legal requirements at your destination. Regulations for items that you need to carry with you in your car vary widely.
Anyone buying their first car is faced with the question of whether to buy a new or used car. Besides the price, there are pros and cons to each option. New cars offer modern features, a great deal of technology and the latest safety standards. Compared to used cars, they are often less maintenance-intensive and generally consume less fuel or electricity. By contrast, small scratches and minor damage to used cars – such as those caused by careless parking – are less significant and easier to cope with. Used cars contain less technology and fewer controls, making them easier for new drivers to handle. A recommended compromise is a relatively recent used car that won’t need expensive repairs soon after purchase.
Mandatory for all: by law, everyone who has a car in Switzerland must take out motor vehicle liability insurance. This covers damage that you cause to third parties with your vehicle. As soon as you have taken out liability insurance, your provider will send proof of insurance to the relevant road traffic department, and you can register your new car.
Optional: partial or fully comprehensive insurance and additional coverage are not mandatory, but they are recommended.
Mandatory for leased cars: in most cases, fully comprehensive insurance is required if you lease a car.
You can now set off on your first car ride. Here are a few tips for turning from a new driver into a seasoned motorist:
With your probationary driving licence, you can travel at any time and without an accompanying driver. However, there are also some regulations and requirements. By law, you must not drink any alcohol if you drive. Even tiny amounts of alcohol – as well as other violations of the Swiss Road Traffic Act – are enough to result in high penalties. Find out how to get through your probationary period as a new driver by consulting resources such as the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). Here is a summary of the key recommendations:
If drivers haven’t yet reached the age of 25, they are designated as young drivers. By contrast, drivers are frequently described as new drivers if they have had a licence for less than two years – regardless of their age.
With the PostFinance TWINT App, you can pay your parking fees conveniently from your car: simply open the “Parking” option under “Partner functions”, select the relevant car park and pay via TWINT. If you don’t use the entire parking duration, you will get the excess money back.
Have you just bought your first new car and want to find the ideal insurance? In the blog post “Getting the right car insurance for your new car”, you can find out how to select the options that suit your needs.
You’ve found a used car at a garage, but you’re undecided because you don’t want to have to buy new tyres after just a few months. In the article “When do I have to change my tyres? Useful things to know about tread, tyre age and weather conditions”, we show you the minimum tyre tread depth.
