01 · Visibility
Dash cam
Calm review of a parking-lot turn after practice — useful on Hwy 1 and foggy mornings.
Typical $40–$120
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02 · Roadside
Emergency roadside kit
Jump pack or cables, reflective gear, gloves — a dead battery becomes a solvable problem.
Typical $25–$60
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03 · Focus
Phone mount
Give the phone a home so hands stay free. CA hands-free rules apply to permit drivers.
Typical $15–$40
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04 · Safety
First-aid kit
Boring until you need it — scrapes, carsickness, small cuts. Keep one in the glovebox.
Typical $10–$25
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05 · Maintenance
Tire inflator
Underinflated tires handle poorly. A five-minute fix beats canceling Saturday practice.
Typical $30–$70
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06 · Comfort
Windshield sun shade
Westbound glare and beach-lot heat — keep after-school practice from starting in an oven.
Typical $15–$40
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07 · Security
Steering wheel lock
School lots and downtown Santa Cruz — a visible lock says “not the easiest car here.”
Typical $20–$45
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08 · Weather
Ice scraper & cloths
Coastal fog and morning film on glass — clear windows in two minutes before you roll.
Typical $5–$15
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09 · Practice
Practice cones
Collapsible cones make parking drills measurable between Sterling lessons.
Typical $10–$25
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10 · Emergency
Window breaker
Seatbelt cutter and glass punch for rare emergencies — talk once at home, then leave it alone.
Typical $10–$25
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11 · Visibility
Blind spot mirrors
Stick-on convex discs supplement — not substitute — shoulder checks before lane changes.
Typical $8–$20
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12 · Documents
Visor document holder
Registration, insurance, and permit — grab-and-go for stops and DMV appointments.
Typical $8–$18
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13 · Clean
Portable car vacuum
Crumbs and sand after beach or mountain practice — a quick cabin reset parents love.
Typical $25–$45
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14 · Night
Emergency flashlight
Glovebox LED for night practice, breakdowns, and looking under seats.
Typical $10–$25
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15 · Courtesy
Student driver magnet
Signals other drivers to give space. Discuss stigma vs. benefit as a family.
Typical $5–$15
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16 · Power
Portable jump starter
Dead battery after practice — jump and go without waiting on a tow.
Typical $40–$100
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17 · Maintenance
Tire pressure gauge
Thirty-second check before you leave the driveway — underinflation ruins handling.
Typical $8–$25
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18 · Visibility
Wide-angle rearview mirror
Clip-on panoramic mirror helps new drivers see more of what’s behind them.
Typical $10–$30
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19 · Organization
Trunk organizer
Cones, kits, and jackets stay put instead of sliding on every turn.
Typical $15–$40
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20 · Power
USB-C car charger
Multi-port charger so phone, mount, and parent phone stop fighting one outlet.
Typical $15–$35
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21 · Clean
Car trash can
Hangs on a headrest or sits in a cupholder — wrappers and tissues stay off the floor.
Typical $8–$20
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