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So you are a young driver and you have just got your first car but there are many extra costs which you may not have thought about. There are of course the essentials such as car tax, fuel and car insurance which can all mount up. But there are many companies that will offer discounts on young driver car insurance. There are also safety and security features that your car does not have that you may want to consider installing. Here are a few details on extra costs involved with car ownership.

Essential car costs:

Car insurance

Make sure that you purchase a good car insurance policy before you even consider driving out in your new car so that you are covered for any eventuality. There are many young driver car insurance policies out there designed especially for you. Shop around to make sure that you get an affordable policy, online car insurance is a good place to start.

Car Tax

The law in the UK states that it is essential for all vehicles kept or used on public roads to display a valid tax disc. This shows the police that vehicle tax has been paid, the vehicle has passed its MOT and is covered by at least third party motor insurance. Car tax for private vehicles costs between *60 and *170 per year depending on fuel type and CO2 emissions.

Car Fuel

Obviously you need fuel to run your car but there are various different types on the market, petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas to name a few. Often your engine will be designed for either petrol or diesel and filling the tank with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car, so take care. You can save money on fuel by purchasing a car with good fuel-economy which is measured by miles per gallon. Ask your car dealer about fuel economy before purchasing.

Car safety features

Anti-lock brakes

This relatively new safety device is designed to bring a car to a halt more quickly than conventional brakes. ABS prevent the breaks from locking so that the car does not skid and in turn increase the driver's control over the car. This is a great safety feature that could potentially prevent road accidents from happening or at least stop your car from being involved. It is well worth the extra cost of investing in a car with ABS.

Air bags

Frontal airbags are now installed in most cars in the steering wheel hub or dashboard. They can also be fitted in the sides of a car for extra protection in case of side impact crashes. Airbags inflate in an instant after a sudden impact to protect those involved in a car crash from serious personal injuries. Seatbelts should also be worn by law, even when an air bag is fitted. If an air bag does not come as standard with your car then having them installed by a retailer is advisable.

Child seat

If you have your own young child or will be ferrying around a younger sibling a child car seat is a must. Car seats for children under three years are required by law in the front seat and are recommended for the back seat as well. This is purely for the safety of the child who would be thrown about inside the car with the impact of a car accident, causing serious injuries or worse to themselves and other passengers.

Car security features

There are many security devices that have been recommended by the police and security experts across the UK to help you to keep your car from being stolen. Although the initial cost of some of these features may be fairly high they could save you a fortune in the long run. Having your car stolen will inevitably cost you a lot more money, time and inconvenience than a few security measures. Also, some car insurance companies will reduce your premium rates if you have extra security for your car since it will be at less risk of being a crime target. Here a few examples of security devices on the market:

Car alarm - to let every one know your car is at risk form thieves

Central locking - so you don*t forget to lock up

Deadlocks - double locks for extra security

Immobiliser - stops your car from going anywhere, mostly fitted as standard now

Locking wheel nuts - you don*t want those alloy wheels rolling off

Lockable fuel caps - so you don*t lose a full tank to thieves

Security etching - have your registration etched in so any parts stolen can be matched to your car

Removable panel/security coded car stereo equipment - some manufacturers fit stereos with components that will not fit into another model, you don*t want someone else playing your tunes

Remember that there are some costs that you must fork out for when you start driving but young drivers could save themselves a fortune with a few initial costs of installing safety systems which could help save lives and security systems that could reduce your car insurance rates.