A favorite rite of passage for many teens is the day they get the keys to their first car of their very own. The freedom and responsibility that comes with having their own wheels is unmatched by many other things they'll experience in their adolescence. 

But keeping teens safe on the road is just as important as keeping them happy, if not more so. Knowing what's important when it comes to teen safety is a major guiding factor when it's time to head to the dealer and pick out their first car. 

Safety first
It's a no-brainer, but younger, more inexperienced drivers can benefit greatly from cars that put an emphasis on safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recommended looking for vehicles that have attained a four- or five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and performed well in the IIHS moderate overlap and side collision tests. 

This also means that you should pay special attention to the car itself before purchasing. Cars that have been in major collisions or have had extensive bodywork may have suffered significant damage that could compromise safety, so be sure to check the vehicle's maintenance history.

Size matters
Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, bigger can mean better when it comes to teen safety, the IIHS reported. When you're on the lot, steer clear of compact cars or minis, gravitating instead toward the smaller SUVs or larger midsize cars. The heavier weight and larger size offer more protection in the event of a collision, and can also provide better handling in adverse driving conditions like snow or rain. Of course, if your teen learned to drive a smaller sedan, make sure they take time to adjust to the difference in size before they hit the road. 

Rein it in
It's easy to understand how teens could be attracted to the allure of fast cars with loud engines, dreaming of hitting the highway with the wind in their hair. Sadly for them, the IIHS recommended against sitting new drivers behind the wheel with too many horses in front of them. Put simply, the faster the car can go, the more tempted they'll be to brush up against that upper limit, which could encourage unsafe driving.

When it's time to shop for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help make the used car, truck or van of your teen's choice affordable.