It is easy to feel intimidated when first learning to drive, but the right driving instructor for you will help you get comfortable with the workings of a car, help you feel safe and ensure that you learn not only fundamental techniques but also the principles of being a safe and conscientious road user.

There are 27 skills needed to be a safe driver and thus pass your driving test, and the best place to learn them is in a suitably comfortable, safe car with an instructor suited to your learning style.

Many city cars and hatchbacks such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Up provide enough speed to get a driver where they need to be, whilst being easy to manoeuvre, comfortable, enjoyable to drive and practical.

However, not every car is like this, and whilst some vehicles like the infamous Porsche 911 Turbo are obviously dangerous in the hands of a beginner, there are some surprising options on the market that can catch a new driver off-guard.

Toyota IQ

Despite the Aygo and Yaris being excellent cars for beginners, the smallest model in the range is actually a surprisingly unsuitable car.

The reason for this is that it is one of the few cars outside of panel vans, the Smart Fortwo and a few smaller convertibles that the DVSA will not allow you to use to pass your driving test.

Because of the constraints of the design, the examiner cannot get the full range of vision they need to prove a learner can drive the car.

Hot Hatchbacks

Cars such as the Mazdaspeed 3, the Ford Fiesta ST and the VW Golf GTi are deceptively fast and this can cause issues for drivers who have gotten familiar with similar but lower-powered cars and are blindsided by the speed available.

Predictability is key in a learner car, and choosing hot hatchbacks or super saloons is a recipe for disaster.