So you’ve passed your test and are itching to get out on the road and take advantage of your brand new licence. If you’re looking for the fundamental driving experience, you’re set – but what if you want to take your time on the road to the next level? The answer is in-car tech.
With a wealth of driving apps and in-car accessories available, it’s easy to enhance your driving experience without breaking the bank.
Here are your quick links to the rest of the guide:
- Beginner’s Guide to Motoring
- Passing your driving test
- Choosing your first car
- Buying your first car
- Insuring your first car
- New driver tech
Whether you’re about to embark on your first car purchase, looking for some cheeky road cheats or just want to make sure you’ve got the most kitted-out car for miles, these driving apps are all you’ll need.
Car apps for new buyers
When you’re looking for a used car, it’s hard to know where to go to get the best deals. Here are some of the handiest car buying apps which should be at the very top of your essential tech list:
Auto Trader Mobile & eBay Motors
Both of these are great car buying apps when it comes to finding a model that suits your needs, along with full details on a range of different specs. Auto Trader Mobile is a handy alternative to the famous magazine of the same name, and allows you to browse through thousands of cars by make and model or by location. eBay motors essentially creates a similar list of motors – but all from private sellers who may be offering a better price. This car app also gives you the option to bid or buy now, depending on your preference.
Car Status Check
Before you buy the car of your dreams on eBay or visit the dealer you found through Auto Trader, get this car status checker. This car app allows you to quickly check the car’s records to make sure it’s not stolen or claimed as written off, and that it doesn’t have any ‘dark secrets’, so to speak. And if you need any further reassurance, our 5-star checks give customers complete peace of mind that they’re buying from a trustworthy source.
5-star vehicle checks
Parker’s Car Price Checker
This car app is a great little extra for those of you doing the dealership circuit. Parkers is the UK’s ultimate centre for car validation information. Once you’ve found a car you like, you can enter the necessary information and find the accurate value of the car – which will help you avoid being over-charged when the time comes.
In-car accessories for new drivers
Great accessories for your car that you won’t be able to live without – enough said.
Micro Double USB 12V Charger
This charger lets you hook up and charge all your must-haves. If it has a USB adapter, it can be charged – from phones to iPads and even laptops. The days of driving with a dead phone are gone – car owners, rejoice!
De-ice
So, you get to your car and find that the worst has happened: the windows are frozen over. You don’t have time to sit and wait for the car heaters to defrost, and going at it bare-handed isn’t exactly ideal. What you need is a can of de-icer. A quick spray will obliterate that ice in seconds – not an accessory per sé, but a driving essential nonetheless.
Sat-Nav
All brands are different, so it’s your call on that front – but if you’re driving around an unknown area, your own Sat-Nav is an absolute must. Getting lost is a fact of life, and certainly a driving inevitability – and if you don’t have a designated map-reader, a Sat-Nav is a non-negotiable.
RAC card
Breaking down is never fun – but with an RAC card (or chosen equivalent), you can rest assured that, after one phone call, someone will be on their way. One added bonus that comes with having your own RAC card is that it’s linked to you rather than the car itself – meaning you can give them a call even if the car you’re driving isn’t yours.
Driving apps for new drivers
And finally, a few of the best car apps to help you once you’re on the road.
Trapster
This community of smartphone users allows you to pre-empt traffic hazards, speed traps, traffic lights and road works before they hinder your journey. One of the very best car apps by any standards.
My Car
Want to keep track of your vehicle’s maintenance? This driving app helps you to do just that, on any number of cars you like. Finding the cost of insurance, petrol and even servicing, as well as setting reminders to check your tyre pressure or book your MOT, can all be done quickly and easily with the help of this revolutionary in-car app.
AA Parking
This nifty driving app tells you where the spaces are – simple as that. No more aimless car park circling – its data covers all free and paid car parks across the UK and Ireland. And, in some areas, this car app will provide real-time updates on available parking spaces nearby – including info such as ticket prices and opening hours.
The Highway Code
If you’re a new driver or just need a refresh, this app is the one for you. Signs and signals are changed and updated constantly – with all of the app’s information available at the tap of a touchscreen. No matter how long you’ve been driving, there are still obscure signs that even the council would struggle to name.
From time-saving in-car accessories to ground-breaking driving apps, there are tons of affordable gadgets on the market with the power to revolutionise your time on the road.
If you’re looking for a car but don’t have the funds to cover it, take a look at our loan calculator – or apply online for a decision within the hour! The Car Loan Warehouse helps new drivers everyday, helping you find the funds for the car you want at a rate you can afford.
