The end of the year has two critical days when it comes to people deciding to learn to drive.

The first day is on the 25th December, as for many young adults in particular, a popular Christmas present is to receive lessons from driving schools and instructors to help them learn to drive quickly and comprehensively before life gets in the way.

The other critical day is New Year’s Day. Many people make firm commitments to themselves to make a big change to improve their lives, and so for some people that involves learning to drive.

As well as choosing to drive, there is also the opportunity to get the perfect used car to start learning to drive in, and there are thankfully a lot of great options in that regard.

Ford Fiesta

For decades, the Ford Fiesta has been Britain’s choice when it comes to small cars, and whilst the venerable brand is set to be discontinued in favour of the Puma hybrid, it continues to be great at any type of requirement a new driver would have.

It is reasonably priced with its popularity making it exceptionally affordable on the used car concourses, it has always been very fun to drive, and it is practical and very reliable, aided by Ford’s fantastic network of mechanics, parts and dealerships.

Volkswagen Up!

A constant and consistent award winner and typically quite loved car, the Volkswagen Up! is part of a triumvirate of cars that manage to not only be great to drive but also easy to park, making them ideally suited for learning advanced driving manoeuvres.

Its two similar cars, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo are both similarly delightful to drive as a first car.

Fiat 500

In terms of a car that can really motivate a driver to pass their test and get out into the world, there are few motivators as strong as a car full of character, joy and style.

Either the phenomenally selling and retro-styled Fiat 500 or the similarly popular and styling Citroen DS3 work well as motivators, as they are both efficient, small and a joy to drive, although due to their desirability they can cost a little more than their competitors.