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How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a Car?
Even if you can buy a car, you will need to be 18 to own it legally in most states.
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising
partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or
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Updated · 3 min read
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and
editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Shannon Bradley is a NerdWallet authority on autos and home services. Before joining NerdWallet in 2021, Shannon spent 30-plus years as a writer, content manager and marketer in the financial services industry. In these roles, she developed financial expertise and created educational content covering a wide range of personal and business topics. Shannon is based in Newburgh, Indiana.
Julie Myhre-Nunes leads the Auto Loans, Student Loans and Home Services teams at NerdWallet. Julie has over a decade of experience in personal finance. Before joining NerdWallet, she led editorial teams at Red Ventures and several startups. Her personal finance insights have been featured in Forbes, The Boston Globe and CNBC, while her writing has appeared in USA Today, Business Insider, Wired Insights and more.
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Most states have no age requirement for buying a vehicle, but you will need to be at least 18 to register, title and insure it in most states. Also, you cannot get an auto loan if you are under 18.
If you aren’t 18 yet, you will most likely need the help of an adult to buy and insure a car. That’s because many transactions related to buying and driving a car require signing a contract. Businesses — such as car dealers, banks and insurance companies — are reluctant to enter into a contract with someone under 18, because minors can’t be held to the terms of the contract.
Here are some of the difficulties you will face if trying to buy a car before you turn 18.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for borrowers with good or excellent credit who want fast approval and funding to buy a new car.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.5
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.74 - 15.24%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Best for applicants who want to compare multiple new car purchase loan offers.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
4.0
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
6.24 - 29.90%
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Auto Credit Express
New car purchase loan
Not yet rated
Best for new-car buyers who can’t qualify for a lower-rate loan through a traditional lender and need help finding a dealer with subprime lending.
Min score: None
Amount: No min. - $100,000
Min. AmountNo min.
Max. Amount$100,000
Not yet rated
Est. APR:
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
Annual percentage rate (APR) represents the true cost of
borrowing money. It is your interest rate plus any loan fees,
and is expressed as a percentage.
N/A - N/A
Term: 24 - 84 months
You will be redirected to the partner's website.
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you
in finding a great lender. The terms may vary based on the partner's terms
and conditions.
You will be redirected to the partner's website
The terms presented here are estimated and provided solely to assist you in finding a great lender. The monthly payment amount, Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and any other terms are based on standard Consumers Credit Union rates and terms for your NerdWallet provided credit score, zip code, and the other self-provided information. These terms may vary based on your credit history, your individual income, or other terms of the lender.
Buying a car from a dealership requires signing a sales contract, which isn’t legally binding in most states if you’re a minor. For that reason, you will most likely need an adult to sign a contract to buy from a dealership.
You may be able to purchase a car from a private seller, but even then, you will need an adult's help to register, title and insure the car.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account factors like maximum rates, variety of loan options, visibility of borrower requirements, accessibility, speed of funding, fees and more.
Since an auto loan is a legal contract between a borrower and lender, the majority of lenders will not make an auto loan to anyone under 18. The few that will require an adult to co-sign. Co-signers are responsible for paying a loan if the borrower fails to pay it back.
If you’re under 18, you can pay cash to buy a vehicle, but you will usually face additional roadblocks with registering, titling and insuring the car.
Registering and titling a car before you turn 18
All states require that vehicle owners register and title the vehicle before driving it. In most states, you need to be 18 to register a car.
To be listed as the car’s owner on the title, you must also be 18 in most states. Your only option may be to put the car’s title in an adult’s name and have that person transfer the title to your name when you reach your state’s legal age.
The age for registering and titling a vehicle is 18 in nearly all states, but there are some exceptions — like Texas — so check with the department of motor vehicles in your state.
Getting car insurance when you’re a minor
Car insurance coverage is mandatory for you to get behind the wheel legally in nearly every state. And since an insurance policy is considered a legal contract, you will most likely need to be a certain age to purchase insurance. The required minimum age varies by state and insurance company.
Again, a solution is to have your parents or legal guardians add you to their car insurance policy until you reach the minimum age to get your own insurance. As a plus, remaining on a parent’s or guardian’s insurance policy as long as possible can be cheaper than paying for insurance premiums on your own policy.
Emancipated minors are individuals who are legally responsible for themselves prior to reaching what is called the age of majority (typically 18). The most common ways a minor becomes emancipated include:
Enlisting in the military (which requires a parent’s consent).
Getting married (which requires a parent’s consent in most states).
Receiving a court order to be emancipated.
Emancipated minors can be legally held to a contract, so they can buy a car, get a loan and buy insurance in their own name. They can also register and title a vehicle in their name.
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