Buying your first car is a major decision.

Typically, purchase price is the most important detail for young people and then the type of car follows second. However, even if you budget is small, it doesn't mean you can't buy a safe value-for-money car.

Before you do anything, make sure you do your research and shop around before you commit to buying anything. It is important to compare prices, warranties, guarantees and the condition of cars you are interested in.

One of the biggest considerations when looking at a potential car is its

safety features. If you can afford a safer car over a bigger car, it is a far better option to go safety first. One way of checking a car's safety rating is to visit the site "How safe is your car".

You can look at ads in the paper or online to see the price range of the type of car you're after. That way, you should have some idea of the real value of a car when you see it, and can avoid paying more than it's worth.

Arrange your own finance before you finalise your choice of car - this will help you get a good deal on the car and the loan. If you pay as much as you can up front, you'll pay less interest. A good way to save a healthy deposit is to set up a regular deposit from your main bank account into a fee-free savings account which is there solely for the purpose of saving for your car - and then you can't be tempted to dip into it!

If you still need to borrow some money to finance the car, don't commit to more than you can afford. Many people say if it will take more than 36 months to pay off then, perhaps, you should consider another vehicle.

"Shop around for a loan, and don't take the first offer," says Jack Haley, Vehicle Policy Specialist, NRMA. "Most car dealers will offer finance but you should always compare costs, and work out what the total cost of the loan is over the repayment period - the longer the loan term, the higher the amount."

Ask for a copy of the contract and, if the dealer is arranging finance, the loan agreement. Take them home and read them thoroughly. Don't feel pressured to sign on the spot, and never sign papers with blank spaces or that are incomplete. Dealer finance often carries high interest rates, so check the interest rate on the loan agreement and compare it with current bank rates.

If you have to borrow money and don't want the dealer to arrange finance for you, you'll need to make sure there is a clause to that effect in the sales contract. Otherwise, you may have to accept the dealer's finance.

Defensive driving is defined as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions and the actions of others."

Defensive driving is taught as part of standard training when you enrol to learn at Complete Driving School. Learning how to drive defensively is vital to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. The aim of defensive driving is to reduce the risks by anticipating dangerous situations, despite the conditions, and despite any poor driving ability on the part of others on the road. John's aim is to raise the awareness and skill level of each driver to ensure safety is of the utmost importance.

Two-second rule an important defensive driving skill

The two-second rule is a way for the defensive driver to judge the minimum safe following distance to help avoid collisions under ideal driving conditions. The red car's driver picks a tree to judge a two-second safety buffer.

If you have already obtained your Ps or your full licence and wish to improve your skills and confidence on the road, then an individual lesson will be perfect to for you. The small cost of lessons compared to the potential costs saved make it a worthy investment for you and your family.

Give John a call today!

Learning how to drive is difficult enough without the added complication of a language and cultural barrier.

It may be that you already have obtained your licence in your country of origin, or that you are learning how to drive in Australia for the first time. Regardless of circumstances, John is well qualified to assist you to learn how to drive with confidence before and after you pass your test.

With many students having already passed as a direct result of lessons with a Complete Driving School instructor, John understands the importance of clear, concise instruction. Being shown what to do, as well as what not to do, is an important strategy of Complete Driving School in assisting overseas drivers in passing their P's or converting overseas-based licences to Tasmanian certification.

If you are an overseas student learning how to drive, make sure you ring John to discuss the many packages available.

Older students are also faced with extra difficulties when learning how to drive. Let John assist you with specialised learning and techniques to assist you in obtaining your licence in the safest and most timely of processes.

Every time you get into a car, you need to ask yourself a question.

How do I ensure I get to my destination safely? We all know how deadly a vehicle can be and it is the responsibility of every driver and passenger to ensure that safety comes first. At Complete Driving, we try to ensure every students understand the importance of safe driving as well as equipping them with the skills needed to drive safely. All driving lessons have an emphasis on defensive driving skills and obtaining safe driving skills for life.

As a parent, you can rest easy knowing your son or daughter will be given the very best instruction possible with long-term success just as important as the short-term goal of passing your driving test.

We make no apology for the graphic content of many of the videos on our site. We just hope that everyone who visits Complete Driving School takes notice and remembers the importance of safety the next time they get behind a wheel, either on their own, or when driving with friends.