Teen driver's first car
For a new driver's first car: the roadside basics, a hands-free phone mount, and the numbers to call when something goes wrong.
Amounts below are for 1 person. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 11 must-haves, 4 easy-to-forget items and 3 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🛒 Jumper cables1 set
- 🛒 Tire pressure gauge1 gauge
- 🛒 Tire inflator1 inflator
- 🛒 First aid kit for the car1 kit
- 🛒 Flashlights1 flashlight
- 🛒 Car phone mount1 mount
- 🛒 Car phone charger2 chargers
- 🛒 Roadside warning triangles1 set
- 🛒 Seatbelt cutter and window breaker1 tool
- 🛒 Car blanket2 blankets
- 🛒 Water pouches for the car3 pouches
🛒 11 exact products we picked · 🔎 0 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (11)
- Must-have
Jumper cables
Energizer jumper cables, 20 ft, 4-gauge
Long, heavy-gauge cables with a carry bag.
Good for: Every car
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Tire pressure gauge
AstroAI digital tire pressure gauge
An easy-to-read digital gauge with a lit nozzle.
Good for: Monthly tire checks
Get about 1 gauge
1 gauge for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Tire inflator
AstroAI tire inflator, 12V and wall power
Inflates tires from the car's 12V socket or a wall outlet.
Good for: Car and home
Get about 1 inflator
1 inflator for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
First aid kit for the car
Protect Life 100-piece travel first aid kit
A small hard-case kit that fits a glove box.
Good for: Car
Get about 1 kit
1 kit for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
- Must-haveOur pick
Flashlights
GearLight S1000 rechargeable flashlights, 2-pack
Bright flashlights that charge by USB-C, so a power bank keeps them going.
Good for: Outages
Get about 1 flashlight
1 person × 1 = 1 flashlight
One per person, so nobody is left in the dark.
- Budget pick: GearLight S1000 flashlights, 2-pack (AAA) ↗The same light on AAA batteries, sold without batteries.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Car phone mount
iOttie Easy One Touch 5 phone mount
Holds a phone on the dash or windshield, so maps stay in view.
Good for: Every driver
Get about 1 mount
1 mount for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Car phone charger
Anker 323 car charger
Charges two phones at once: one USB-C, one USB-A.
Good for: Every car
Get about 2 chargers
2 chargers for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Roadside warning triangles
Performance Tool W1498 warning triangles, 3-pack
Three reflective triangles in a case.
Good for: Breakdowns
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Seatbelt cutter and window breaker
resqme car escape tool
A keychain seatbelt cutter and side-window breaker. Not for windshields.
Good for: Every car
Get about 1 tool
1 tool for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Car blanket
Arcturus military wool blanket, 64 x 88 in
A heavy wool blanket, 64 by 88 inches, to keep in the trunk.
Good for: Winter car
Get about 2 blankets
2 blankets for the group
Product link checked Oct 31, 2026
Water pouches for the car
Datrex emergency water pouches, 18-pack
Sealed water pouches with a long shelf life.
Good for: Car and go-bag
Get about 3 pouches
1 person × 3 = 3 pouches
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Easy to forget (4)
Ice scraper for each car
Get about 1 scraper
1 scraper for the group
Amazon search: “ice scraper”
Paper road map
Rand McNally 2027 Easy to Read Midsize Road Atlas
Paper maps for when phones lose signal. Midsize, so it fits in the car.
Good for: Car and evacuation
Get about 1 map
1 map for the group
Product link checked Oct 31, 2026
Spare keys
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “key organizer”
Windshield washer fluid
Get about 1 jug
1 jug for the group
Amazon search: “winter windshield washer fluid”
Upgrades (4)
Portable jump starter
NOCO Boost GB40 jump starter
Starts a dead battery without a second car. Doubles as a USB charger.
Good for: Every car
Get about 1 jump starter
1 jump starter for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Dash camera
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
A tiny 1080p camera that sits behind the mirror. Needs a microSD card, sold separately.
Good for: New drivers
Get about 1 camera
1 camera for the group
Product link checked Oct 31, 2026
Car emergency kit
First Secure car emergency kit
Jumper cables, an air compressor and first aid in one bag.
Good for: Trunk
Get about 1 kit
1 kit for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Car trunk organizer
Drive collapsible trunk organizer
A folding organizer with straps, so the car kit doesn't slide around.
Good for: Car kits
Get about 1 organizer
1 organizer for the group
Product link checked Oct 31, 2026
Spend less (1)
Instead of portable jump starter:
- Must-have
Jumper cables
Energizer jumper cables, 20 ft, 4-gauge
Long, heavy-gauge cables with a carry bag.
Good for: Every car
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Things to do (3)
- ✅ Save roadside help numbers in the phoneInsurance, roadside assistance and a parent or friend to call.
- ✅ Car registration and insurance checkMake sure current copies are in the glove box.
- ✅ Spare tire checkCheck the spare's pressure and that the jack and wrench are there.
More in cars and roadside
General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
As an Amazon Associate, PleaseBeReady earns from qualifying purchases.