According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles you must be sixteen (16) years of age or older to apply for a registration or a title certificate in NYS. So if you are under 18 and thus still a minor you can title and register a car in your name in NYS.

You are not even required to have a driver license or learner permit to apply for a vehicle registration or title certificate in state of New York. These requirements also apply to the registration of a boat, a snowmobile, or an ATV the NYS DMV notes.

As for insurance, if you are a minor (under the age of 18) than insurance companies normally will require that a parent or guardian sign on your insurance policy with you since it is a legal and binding document.

So, you can own a car in your own name as a minor in NYS but you would normally need an adult (parent or guardian) to purchase auto insurance to place on the vehicle.

To get an auto insurance quote for New York State you can click here. Keep in mind that if you live with your parents and they allow you to get a car it is usually cheaper to add you and the car to their insurance policy than getting your own. However if you want the car and insurance in your own name than you will need to shop around for a good price on insurance and find out the requirements of the insurer regarding you being a minor. As we mentioned usually insurance companies will require a parent signs on the policy (contract) with you until you turn 18.