It is a universally known fact that a teenager with a shiny, new driver’s license wants a shiny, new car.

Chances are you’ve had your “dream car” in mind since you were in a car seat. But now that the time has come to actually get a car, it might be best to put the hot rod aside and focus on what’s really important: safety.

I know there are tons of cars out there that promise speed and style, but when you’re starting out, it’s better to go with a car that’s made for safety.

The best way to go about this? Do some research – you’ll be doing a lot of it in college so you might as well get some practice with a fun topic.

How about I give you a head start? Consumer Reports has done a great job of highlighting some of the top safety picks for teens, and some of them start out at less than $10,000!

So, do your research and consider how responsible you’ll sound when you tell your parents that you’ve picked some top safety picks.