Many parents have the same attitude on this topic – something to do with new cars and “over my dead body” – but as the day draws closer, the inevitability becomes clear. Driving lessons are arranged, tests are booked, tests are failed, more tests are booked, tests are passed this time, and eventually your little precious is driving off to the mall in their little precious. It is the circle of life. 

It makes sense that the first car you drive will be a real landmark and, in that respect, anyone getting into their car for the first time will want it to really feel like it is theirs. So although a car is already a pretty good present, if someone you know – someone you raised, even – is turning 16 and about to start driving, then it is worth looking out for some accessories that will make the car feel more personalised. 

This is not as easy as personalising their bedroom. While they may really LOVE My Chemical Romance, posters really do not do the trick in a car. They make it hard to see stuff, which makes driving a great deal more tricky. But there are plenty of other ways to personalise a car for someone. There will follow some ideas, but we are sure you already have one or two ideas of your own. 

If your birthday boy or girl is into sport, you can do something that tailors the car to the needs of their sport. Something as simple as a carrying case in the boot for equipment can make a real difference in terms of making the whole “This is my car” concept more real. If they love to surf or swim, then waterproof seats are a great idea because – and let us not be shy about telling home truths here – they WILL go straight from the beach into the car. 

Do you know the way your kids are always so happy to wash your car when asked? Of course, you do not, they are teenagers and morally opposed to the concept of unnecessary effort. So just because the car is their own does not mean they will be any happier to take the cloths and hot wax to it. However, buy them some car cleaning kit with a labor-saving twist and there will be some chance of them at least trying for a while. Failing that, a really good car stereo or dock for their MP3 player is always a good idea. They have yet to invent the adolescent who does not like music.

You might want to remove all the car accessories that you have loaded so far – this will help you in clear headed thinking. Clutter removed from the car would help you avoid things that would clutter your thoughts. You will be more creative when you look at the empty interiors – and hence, you can organise better.

First let us begin with the car mats. You can choose a different colour cat mat this time. If you had been using car mats of the same colour as your car, this time you can go for something contrasting. Contrast often makes things look catchy and interesting. However, be careful – the contrast should not look shocking – unless, of course, if you want it to be a shocking one! If contrast is not your cup of tea, you can go for a complementing colour. For example, if you have a blue car, you can go for grey car mats.

After car mats, it’s time to think about other car accessories. You can keep some of the old ones like the spoilers, rear view mirror etc. or you can pick new ones if you want a change. As for the car audio system, you might want to go for something more advanced and better sounding or with more facilities like MP3 player etc. A great way to shop for some cool car accessories is by going online and checking out the web sites dedicated to car accessories.

One of the coolest gadgets that will add some life to the old ride is the audio gear road trips. These wireless FM transmitters will make car CD changers look obsolete. These add-ons are capable of scanning and tuning to the clearest FM station within range. In addition, they can be connected wirelessly to an iPod. It makes it not only easy to play iPod music in the car but also allows a rapid charging of the iPod. Of course, everybody wants LCD screens in the car. Some LCD screens come with portable DVD players making them excellent additions to the car’s entertainment. A good portable DVD player will usually have a number of screens that can be positioned throughout the car. However, on a teenager’s budget, going for one LCD screen is enough.

Another of the cool additions is installing a scrolling license plate frame. These gadgets allow a person to personalize up to five messages using a wireless remote controller. Thus, one can tell the driver behind them about their favorite sports team or even advertise an upcoming event or business to other motorists. One can do so many wild things with this addition. It is like changing the mood on the road and letting the people around know about it. This amazing plate frame can be bought for less that $70. Other additions can also be placed around the license plate to make it look more glamorous.

A car’s audio system will likely be the most outstanding feature of any car. From a distance, it will alert everyone that a smart car is coming his or her way. There are many units on the market that offer stability and endurance to a car’s audio. The two most common speaker systems for a car are Kenwood and Pioneer sound systems. The options of playback are numerous. Pricing is largely based on the number of options a system will have. Most of the speakers from these two manufacturers have proven their worth on the market. Combined with the LCD functionality, these sound systems are definitely worth the investment to put into them. Having a plug power inverter will make the addition of the above and other devices not only easier but also safe while on the road. With less than $200, a teenager can make their car look new again.