Can a 17-year-old get their own car insurance?

If you are a 17-year-old driver or the parent of a teen, get ready to pay sky-high auto insurance premiums. Even when covered on a parent’s policy, insurance for teens is expensive because teen drivers have less experience than older drivers.

Learn about the requirements involved with auto insurance and minors, whether a parent must co-sign an insurance policy, the insurance rules around emancipated minors and more.

Can a 17-year-old get their own car insurance?

“Yes, in most states, a 17-year-old can get their own policy, but they need an adult co-signer on the policy until they reach age 18,” says personal finance expert Andrew Lokenauth, owner of TheFinanceNewsletter.com.

Co-signing is required because minor drivers under age 18 typically aren’t legally allowed to sign a contract. A co-signer is also needed because an insurance policy is a legally binding contract.

“When a parent or guardian co-signs an insurance policy, they are effectively vouching for the minor and assuming financial responsibility. It’s not unlike co-signing a loan. The insurer needs the reassurance of a financially established adult whose credit history and driving record become intertwined with the policy’s fate,” says Dennis Shirshikov, adjunct professor of economics at the City University of New York.

When co-signing is required, that adult must bear the costs of premiums, deductibles and claims if the adolescent cannot or won’t pay.

“The co-signer is taking a risk here, as there is the potential for financial consequences and negative impact to their credit. But the co-signer can make changes to the policy or even cancel the policy if the need arises,” says Marlon Moss, an insurance agent with A Plus Insurance.

Read expert recommendations on how old you must be to buy car insurance

How much does car insurance cost for a 17-year-old?

The average annual rate for 17-year-olds getting their own policies is $8,614 for a full coverage policy.

“Insurance premiums for 17-year-olds can be steep, reflecting the heightened risk insurers associated with youthful inexperience,” Shirshikov says. “Striking out alone, a 17-year-old could pay significantly more for their own policy.”

The table below shows the annual rates for full coverage for 17-year-old drivers on their own policies in each state.

Check out our detailed guide: How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old

Can a 17-year-old title and register their car?

In most states, individuals must be at least 18 to register their name as the owner on a vehicle title. Put another way, a vehicle must be titled in the teen’s name to be registered in their name. 

If a driver is younger than 18, they are typically required to place the car’s title in an adult’s name, with the adult listing the teenager as the primary driver. But after the teen reaches legal maturity in their state, typically at age 18, they can officially transfer the car title into their own name.

But if the 17-year-old is an emancipated minor, they should be legally allowed to have a car title transferred into their name, according to Moss.

Remember, even if your state allows transferring a car title to a 17-year-old in their name, that vehicle must be legally insured on a parent or guardian’s policy or on the 17-year-old’s own policy that a parent or guardian co-signs.

For specific details on requirements, it’s best to contact your state’s DMV.

Texas registration requirements for 17-year-olds

In Texas, there are no age restrictions on individuals seeking to be listed as vehicle owners on the title and registration. Still, car dealers tend to avoid selling to anyone under 18 due to potential legal complications.

As with adults, minors must also provide evidence of vehicle ownership and meet the state-mandated minimum liability insurance requirements. Additionally, insurance carriers may impose their own age restrictions on insured drivers.

North Carolina registration requirements for 17-year-olds

North Carolina, like Texas, lacks a specified minimum age requirement for vehicle title and registration. A minor can have a car titled in their name as long as they can sign it on the title application.

Nevertheless, obtaining a license plate necessitates proof of liability insurance on the vehicle, and insurance providers seldom issue policies directly to minors. Therefore, in most cases, individuals younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian co-sign their insurance contract.

Ohio car registration requirements for 17-year-olds

For individuals younger than 18 in Ohio who want a vehicle titled in their name, a minor consent form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. That parent or guardian must accompany the minor when they appear in front of the Clerk of Courts title office to have a vehicle titled in a minor’s name.

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Learn more about car insurance for 17-year-olds

When in doubt about auto insurance for 17-year-old drivers, it’s best to consult directly with insurance company representatives and your local DMV. Ask questions about anything you’re not sure of. These include if those aged 17 can get their own car insurance policy and a car title in their own name in your state. If they say no, find out what minimum age is required.

Additionally, whether the teen is on your policy or their own, it pays to shop around for car insurance covering a 17-year-old. Try to get at least a handful of quotes from different carriers and carefully compare premiums, deductibles, and available discounts. 

Steps to getting car insurance as a 17-year-old     

If you’re a 17-year-old looking for your own car insurance policy, follow these steps and the process will go smoothly.

Step 1: Research state laws and insurance requirements for 17-year-olds

Start by understanding your state’s specific legal requirements for car insurance, as they can vary. In most states, a 17-year-old can’t enter into a legally binding contract independently. This means a teenager can’t sign anything – even a car insurance contract – and needs an adult to co-sign.

Step 2: Gather necessary documentation

Collect all required documents, including your driver’s license number, Social Security Number and vehicle information – make, model and VIN.
Ask your insurance carrier what you must bring to sign all the contracts. They’ll need to know the name, address, make, model and license plate of the vehicle and any drivers who may get behind the wheel. They also need to know where the car will be garaged, which factors into your rate. For example, you’ll need to explain to your insurer if your mailing address is dad’s house but your vehicle is kept across town at mom’s house. Ensure your driver’s license name and address match everything on the documents. 

Step 3: Explore your car insurance options as a 17-year-old

Research different insurance companies to compare policies suitable for young drivers.

Look for insurers offering special programs or discounts for teenagers. As you shop around and compare quotes, you’ll notice some might have better rates for teens or new drivers. Some carriers give great student discounts. Some teens only drive to and from school, so low-mileage discounts are worth looking into. 

Step 4: Consider listing the teen on a parent’s policy

Discuss with your parents the possibility of being added to their existing policy, which can often be more cost-effective. Even if you want independence, being added to a policy rather than purchasing a stand-alone policy could save you money.

It’s always a good idea to compare the cost of adding yourself to a parent’s policy versus the cost of a teen policy. Unfortunately, rates for teenagers are expensive.

Step 5: Get quotes for a 17-year-old driver’s policy

To get quotes for an individual policy, you’ll need a few pieces of information. You can comparison shop online using quote tools or ask an insurance agent for help. You must also be of legal age in your state.

For accurate quotes, you’ll need your age, gender, ZIP code and the make/model of your car. Also, an important factor is how much insurance you want to purchase. Decide how much comprehensive, collision and liability you need.

Step 6: Evaluate and compare car insurance quotes

Carefully compare the quotes, considering coverage limits, deductibles and premiums. Remember, if you choose a high deductible to get a lower rate, you’ll be responsible for that deductible when you make a claim. Each state has a minimum liability amount you must carry by law, so ensure your policy meets that requirement, especially if you’re buying online.

Read the policy’s fine print and any additional fees or exclusions. In many cases, if you don’t pay your premium, you’ll have a lapse in coverage. Your claim could be denied if you get into an accident and haven’t paid your bill. You don’t need to understand the legal jargon on every page. Just be sure to know about all policy exceptions, rules, cancellations and what exactly is and isn’t covered.

Step 7: Finalize your insurance purchase

State availability: Available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Esurance’s DriveSense app monitors driving habits by “trip” and you can get a discount for enrolling in the program. DriveSense participants must log at least 50 trips per term, and discounts are tailored to your driving.

“DriveSense uses smart telematics technology that could help users improve their driving while also rewarding them for being safe and responsible behind the wheel,” says Kate Peifer, Esurance spokesperson. “It logs their driving, drawing maps of driving patterns and behaviors and provides trip tips and weekly recaps.” 

Step 8: Maintain good driving habits

One of the best and only ways to completely avoid tickets and, therefore, an increase in insurance premiums is to drive the speed limit and obey all other traffic laws. Any moving violation will significantly increase your insurance.

Consider enrolling in defensive driving courses to learn additional skills and ask your insurer about potential discounts. Your local driving school probably has a special course designed for additional driving skills even after you’ve completed basic driver’s education.

The roles of parents and guardians 

A parent or guardian should be involved at every step to help a teenager obtain car insurance.

Step 1: Providing guidance and support

Help your teen understand the importance of adequate car insurance and safe driving habits.

The financial impact of speeding tickets and accidents can be enough to convince teens to adopt safe driving habits. Teen car insurance is already very expensive, and even one moving violation can increase it significantly. Prevention is key – obeying traffic laws and posted speed limits goes a long way toward keeping your premiums down.

Step 2: Assisting with research and decision-making

Help your teen understand the financial impact of a stand-alone policy. You may be able to save some money by adding your teen to your policy instead. This will be an attractive option if the teen pays their fair share. 

Bundling discounts for home and auto might be one way to save money by adding your teen to your policy rather than purchasing an individual policy. If they are added to your policy, you can ask your insurer about multi-policy and multi-driver discounts.

Step 3: Involvement in the insurance process

Be involved in the insurance application process, especially if the teen is not legally an adult. Make sure your teen understands what they’re signing and what they’re responsible for. Even though you’ll be ultimately responsible since you’re co-signing, make your teen aware of what financial and other obligations come with signing the insurance document.

Step 4: Educating teens about insurance costs and factors

Explain to your teen how their driving records will affect their insurance rates. Teens need to understand that any speeding tickets will increase their rates. Any accidents they’re found guilty of will be added to their driving record and affect how much they pay for insurance.

Another thing teens might not understand is that sports cars and luxury vehicles are more expensive to insure. Your teen might want to spend their graduation money or their part-time job money on a fancy car, only to find they can’t afford to put it on the road because the insurance is significantly more than what an economy car would be.

Step 5: Monitoring and encouraging safe driving

It’s hard to know what your teen does once they leave the house, but setting rules and expectations for their car use is important. Some parents and guardians use the vehicle’s built-in monitoring systems to record driver activity, such as speeding. Some of these are tied directly to insurance companies, so they can reward drivers with discounts for safe driving.

Step 6: Reviewing and updating the policy

Review your teen’s insurance policy to ensure it remains the best fit and is up to date. This is a good idea for anyone with any type of insurance policy – homeowner, auto or life. If anything has changed, such as your address, a new car, or another driver added to the household, notify the insurance company and update the policy.

By following these detailed steps and understanding the crucial role of parents or guardians, 17-year-olds can more effectively navigate the process of obtaining car insurance, ensuring they are adequately covered and aware of their responsibilities as young drivers.

Take a look at our Parent’s Guide to Insuring a Teen Driver

How do you save on car insurance for 17-year-old drivers?

A 17-year-old could qualify for several discounts on auto insurance, including good student discounts, driving a safe vehicle, opting for a telematics program and more.

“Many carriers offer a variety of discounts to alleviate the high expenses associated with coverage for 17-year-old drivers,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications for the Insurance Information Institute. “Among the most common discounts from both national and regional insurers are the good student discount, requiring the maintenance of a ‘B’ average or higher in high school, and the completion of a certified driver education course before obtaining a driver’s license.”

Here are a few discounts to discuss with your insurer:

• Good student discount: Students who maintain a good GPA can usually qualify for a discount through their provider
• Safe driver course: A safe driver discount is a reduction in insurance premiums offered to drivers with no at-fault accidents or traffic violations during a specified period. Consequently, a first-time teen driver might not qualify for this discount.
• Low mileage discount: The more time a teen spends behind the wheel, the higher the likelihood of being involved in an auto accident or receiving a traffic violation. Therefore, adolescents driving fewer than 7,000 miles per year or less than 10 miles on weekdays may be eligible for a low mileage discount.
• Telematics: Friedlander says that certain carriers may offer discounts to policyholders with teens who agree to usage-based telematics programs, which allow insurers to monitor driving habits through a mobile app or an installed device in the vehicle.
• Choose a higher deductible: The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. However, this could mean that you may pay considerably more in the event of an accident.
• Drive a car that’s cheap to insure: That typically means a used smaller vehicle and a make/model not commonly associated with tickets, moving violations, theft and accidents.
• Remain on a parent’s policy: It’s significantly cheaper to be added to a parent’s policy than to purchase your own.
• Shop around for coverage: Friedlander advises getting car insurance quotes from at least three insurers and carefully comparing policy terms.

17-year-old emancipated minors can buy, register and insure cars

“An emancipated minor is an adolescent who is legally free from control by their parents or guardians and can prove financial independence,” attorney Min Hwan Ahn says. “They are allowed to purchase, register and insure their own vehicles, although the process varies widely depending on specific state laws.”

However, Moss says emancipated youth must still follow the same process to obtain a driver’s license and will likely pay higher insurance premiums than if they had remained on their parent’s or guardian’s policy.

“If the teenager is in a healthy relationship with his or her parents or guardian, it’s best to get on their insurance policy, which can save serious dollars,” Moss says.

The bottom line

For most 17-year-old drivers, the most affordable option is to remain on a parent’s car insurance policy while building a safe driving history. If you need a separate policy, you will generally need a parent or guardian to co-sign unless you are legally emancipated. Before choosing coverage, compare quotes from several insurers and ask about discounts for good students, completing a driving course or enrolling in a telematics program.

When in doubt about auto insurance for 17-year-old drivers, it’s best to consult directly with insurance company representatives and your local DMV. Ask questions about anything you’re not sure of.

Additionally, whether the teen is on your policy or their own, it pays to shop around for car insurance covering a 17-year-old. Try to get at least a handful of quotes from different carriers and carefully compare premiums, deductibles, and available discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions: 17-year-olds and car insurance

Can a 17-year-old drive without car insurance?

No, it is illegal for anyone to drive without car insurance in almost all states. To drive legally, a 17-year-old must either have their own insurance policy or be covered under a parent’s policy.

How does including a 17-year-old on a car insurance policy impact a parent’s policy premiums?

Adding a 17-year-old to a family’s car insurance policy will likely increase the overall premium. Teen drivers are considered high-risk, which leads to higher rates. However, teens will save much more by being listed on a parent’s policy than having their own policy.

What discounts can lower the cost of insuring a 17-year-old?

Good student, low-mileage, driver-training and telematics discounts can all help. Ask your insurer which discounts it offers, since eligibility and savings vary by company and state.

Can a 17-year-old title a car in their own name?

It depends on the state. Some states set 18 as the minimum age to title a car in your name, while others, including Texas and North Carolina, don’t set a minimum age at all. Check your state DMV for its specific rule.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com analyzed millions of auto insurance quotes and used data from its 2026 State of Auto Insurance Report to calculate average rates.

Estimated premiums are based on a sample profile of a 17-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record and good insurance score, carrying a full coverage policy with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage, unless otherwise stated.

The rates are for comparison purposes only. Your actual premium will vary based on your location, driving history, vehicle type, deductible selection and coverage needs. 

Read our full data and research methodology.