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Can I buy a car at 16?

I’m turning 16 in a couple months. Now that I’m going to have my driver’s license, I’m looking to purchase a vehicle. What are my options? Can I buy a car at 16 years old?

Drew Waterstreet · Updated on Feb 28, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

Happy early birthday! The short answer is yes—you can buy a car at 16 years old. The long answer is that you may have limited options as a minor. Let’s break it down.

A 16-year-old can certainly pay for a vehicle in cash, but the seller may still request your parent’s approval to complete the transaction.

Unfortunately, a 16-year-old can not enter into a car loan agreement on their own. Your parents can co-sign on a loan, but that’s only if they trust you to begin paying the debt yourself once you turn 18. Otherwise, they will be obligated to be responsible for the loan.

companies typically demand a more expensive premium for young drivers. Don’t worry,

can still find you savings! After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.

MORE:

Worst cars for teenage drivers

View full answer

WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY

Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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