We tried to contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to see if there was a minimum age requirement in NJ to purchase a car. We still have not heard back from the MVC with information on this topic however if we do we will update this answer.

We were able to find out that in New Jersey one must be at least 17 to register a vehicle and thus it would appear to us that even if there were no laws about a younger minor individual buying a car in NJ there would be issues if you were younger than 17 since you cannot register the vehicle in your name until you are seventeen years of age. Also it can be difficult as a minor getting car insurance for a vehicle in your own name without an adult signing with you.

In New Jersey there is not a minimum age requirement for obtaining auto insurance if you have your license or permit, however if you are under 18 and thus a minor you will normally need a parent or guardian to sign with you on any insurance paperwork since it is a legal binding document. An insurance company does not want to have a minor signing a contract, the insurance policy, without an adult.

According to the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI), which is the insurance regulatory body for NJ, if you are a teenager it will most likely cost less for you as a young driver to be added to your parents’ policy than to purchase your own. However, any driver with a car titled and registered in their name can purchase insurance.

If you are a minor and want to buy your own vehicle you should contact the NJ MVC to see you can get through better than we did to find out if there are any state laws that state a minimum age at which you can legally buy a car. If you are under 17 you would have to have an adult or guardian to title and register the car in New Jersey. And also until you are 18 and considered an adult most all insurance companies will also require that a parent or guardian sign on your insurance policy with you.

Find out about car insurance for all stages of life here.