Teens behind the wheel: How parents are navigating first-car decisions

THE Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is a key annual event on the KwaZulu-Natal school sports calendar. This year’s event also offered an opportunity for important conversations off the field.

As a proud sponsor, Halfway Ford used the event to connect with  families about a topic that weighs heavily on many parents’ minds: teen driving.

Also read: Mkhize’s luxury cars to go under the hammer

Over the course of the festival, Halfway Ford spoke with parents and asked them to complete a questionnaire to gain insight into their concerns and expectations as their teens prepare to get behind the wheel. They also explored the key factors that influence parents’ decision-making when it comes to choosing a vehicle for their children.

“Selling cars is only part of what we do,” said Chilton Penery, chief operating officer at Halfway Ford. “We’re part of our communities – and we wanted to better understand how we can support families during this major milestone in their children’s lives.”

Top Parental Concerns: Safety First

The questionnaire results revealed that road safety and accidents (66%) was the biggest concern among parents. Other pressing worries included peer pressure and reckless driving (16%), the cost of vehicle insurance and maintenance (12%), and the availability of safe, affordable cars (6%).

Timing, Safety, and Budget Drive Parents’ First-Car Decisions

When asked whether parents had plans of buying a car for their teen:

• 82% of parents said yes, but opinions differed on when – half indicated they planned to buy a car immediately when their child received their driver’s licence, while the other half said they would only do so after a period of supervised driving
• 13% said their teen would need to share a family vehicle
• 5% said their child was expected to buy their own

In terms of vehicle features that mattered most:

• Safety features topped the list at 31.5%
• Affordability followed closely at 29.5%
• Fuel efficiency was cited by 20%
• Brand reputation by 15%
• Resale value trailed at 3%

When it came to budget:

• Nearly half (44%) of parents reported a price range of between R50 000 and R150 000
• 26% were willing to spend between R150 000 and R250 000
• 21% indicated a budget of between R250 000 and R350 000
• 3% of parents planned to spend between R350 000 and R500 000
• 6% of parents sat on either side of the budgeting spectrum – half (3%) indicated their price range would be under R500 000 while the other half said they would be spending more than R500 000

Mixed Feelings About Driver Education

One of the standout findings was widespread concern about the quality of driver education in South Africa:

• Only 28% of parents believed driving schools adequately prepare teens
• 40% felt driver training was insufficient
• 32% were unsure

Despite these concerns, 66% said they would consider enrolling their child in an advanced driving course for added safety, while 27% said they would consider it if the cost was affordable.

What Parents Want: Better Training, Safety Tech, and Support

When asked what would make them feel more comfortable with their teen taking to the roads, the majority pointed to improved driver education and training. Others cited the need for stricter laws for young drivers, vehicle safety technology such as speed monitoring, and reduced insurance premiums for responsible teen drivers.

More importantly, the survey also highlighted a strong appetite for continued support. More than 80% of parents said they would be interested in receiving information and guidance on teen driving safety, car choices, and financing options.

“These insights have highlighted just how much support and guidance parents are looking for as their teenagers take their first steps toward independence behind the wheel. We are committed to using what we’ve learnt to develop practical resources that speak directly to these needs,” concluded  Penery.

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