One of the biggest events in any teenager's life, especially here in the United States, is getting his or her first driver's license. That big moment is often closely followed by another, namely getting their first car. For a lucky few, that means a gift from mom and dad. For many others, it means working extra hours and saving every dime, sometimes for years, to be able to pick up that precious first ride.

 Either way, it's easy to let emotions get the best of the situation, leading to the purchase of a vehicle that maybe, just maybe, isn't the best choice for a young, inexperienced driver. For those facing the inevitable "first car" decision, here are a few tips to help identify what cars are best not only for teen drivers, but also for keeping your car insurance cost low-ish.

Think Big

Chances are that while safety is the first concern for parents searching for the right car for their teen, it's probably not at the top of the teen's priority list. Parents, it's time do your job, put your foot down and insist on "safety first." In this case, the first rule is that "bigger is better." Your child may think they are indestructible, but you know better. So, it's crucial to make their first car as indestructible as possible. Now, no car is totally indestructible, but when it comes to two vehicles in a collision, the bigger and heavier one tends to win out. That's the one you want your kid in. There are some limits, however, and putting them behind the wheel of one of those older model, big American monsters is probably not the best option.

But you might want to consider a later-model mid-sized sedan or possibly a smaller SUV, something with a relatively large chassis and higher-placed fenders, but not too high off of the ground.

Insurance carriers do not increase rates just because a vehicle is big. You might actually be surprised to see the insurance price tag on small hybrid vehicles. They are easily damaged and the cost to repair them run high compared to standard vehicles.

Think Small

I contradict myself, you say? Not really, because small in this case refers to engine size. Let's be realistic. Kids like to go fast, but driving fast is not a good thing for them to do. So, why make it easier with a large, high-performance engine? Seriously consider a four-cylinder engine as opposed to a six-cylinder one. And definitely stay away from eight cylinders. Then you are just asking for trouble. Four cylinders may leave them grumbling as they creep slowly up hills, but so what? The important word here is "slowly."

A small engine also usually lowers the cost of the car. A lower the valued vehicle typically corresponds directly with lower car insurance premiums when full coverage is selected.

Think Safety Devices

Older vehicles may not be the best option for teens. That is because newer ones are going to come with more and better safety equipment. Late-model cars are going to come equipped with six airbags. That's a really good thing, and you should seriously consider putting any vehicle without them on your "what not to buy" list. Look for cars with anti-lock brakes and stability control, this last one especially for higher-sitting vehicles like SUV's and crossovers.

Safety features are always a plus when it comes to car insurance. The less chance for medical expenses the better for everyone. Keep safety devices as a top priority when shopping cars for your teen driver.