Which used car for a new driver?

For a first purchase, our guides point to simple, modestly powered city cars rated 4 or more out of 5 for reliability: Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108, Toyota Yaris, Renault Clio V. Before choosing, know two rules: the probationary licence (6 points at the start) and the insurance surcharge, which can double the premium in the first year. Supervised early driving (conduite accompagnée) reduces both.

What are the rules of the probationary licence?

You hold a probationary licence when you obtain your licence for the first time. It starts at 6 points, and this balance rises as long as you commit no offence that costs points (Service-Public.fr). The duration depends on the learning route and on any additional training:

Route	Without additional training	With additional training
Early learning (AAC)	2 years: 9 points at the end of year 1, 12 at the end of year 2	1 year and 6 months: 9 points then 12 points
Other route	3 years: 8, 10 then 12 points	2 years: 8 points then 12 points

If you lose points during the probationary period, the yearly increase is interrupted. The additional training lasts 1 day (7 hours), between the 6th and 12th month after obtaining the licence.

The probationary licence also comes with driving rules, listed by Sécurité routière:

• no more than 110 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on dual carriageways and 80 km/h on other roads;
• no driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.2 g/l;
• display the "A" sign at the rear of the vehicle (Service-Public.fr).

A 6-point offence, such as an alcohol level of 0.2 g/l or more or a positive drug test, can therefore lead to the loss of the licence. Service-Public.fr also notes that a law of 18 August 2026 will ban renting a powerful vehicle during the probationary period, but the text setting the maximum power has yet to be published.

What is the young-driver surcharge?

In car insurance, "young driver" has nothing to do with age: you are one if your licence is less than 3 years old, if you have not been insured for 3 years, or if you have never been insured as the main driver. The insurer may then add a surcharge, calculated as a percentage of the base premium. That base depends in particular on the vehicle, your profile and the cover chosen (Service-Public.fr).

Year of insurance	General case	With supervised early driving (AAC)
Year 1	+ 100%	+ 50%
Year 2 (after a year with no claim where you were at fault)	+ 50%	+ 25%
Year 3 (after 2 years with no claim where you were at fault)	no more surcharge	no more surcharge

Two further points from the same page: not all insurers apply the surcharge, so compare offers before signing; and a young driver can be named on their parents' policy with the insurer's agreement, which may raise the premium for this. The malus for an at-fault accident can add to the surcharge.

How does supervised early driving work?

Early learning of driving (AAC) is open to people aged 15 or over. After initial training at a driving school, a supervised phase lets you drive with a relative before the practical test. The accompanying person must have held a category B licence for 5 years or more, and the insurer must give written agreement to the extension of cover needed (Service-Public.fr). For insurance, it caps the maximum surcharge at 50% instead of 100%.

How did we select the cars?

We took the guides classed as city car or compact, with an "acheter" (buy) verdict, a modest entry-level power (the "puissance" field of the versions), a reliability score of 4 out of 5 or more, a recorded price and a Euro NCAP result. The monthly cost is that of each guide's reference version, for 12,000 km a year, including fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation. Actual insurance depends on your profile: ask for several quotes.