CarInsurance.com Insights
- A teen may be able to title a car in their name, but completing the purchase usually requires an adult, as minors cannot enter into sales contracts.
- Even if a 16- or 17-year-old can own a car, they typically cannot buy their own auto insurance policy without an adult co-signer.
- Beyond the purchase price, parents and teens should compare insurance options, understand coverage needs and account for higher teen driver rates.
Missouri sets no minimum age for buying or registering a car, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue. A 16 or 17-year-old can hold a title in their name, but they must be 18 to sign a legally binding purchase contract, so most sellers require a parent or guardian to co-sign for a minor.
How old do you have to be to buy a car in Missouri?
While there is no legal age to own a vehicle in the state, the Missouri Department of Revenue states the legal age of competency to contract is 18 years. Even though a 16- or 17-year-old can have a car titled in their name in Missouri, a contract to purchase a vehicle signed by anyone younger than 18 isn’t legally binding.
As a minor, a teen can release themselves from the sales contract, return the vehicle and recover the purchase price paid, even though the vehicle has been used and deteriorated in value. For this reason, most dealerships or private parties that sell a vehicle to someone under 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign the contract on the minor’s behalf.
Teens younger than 18 must get a co-signer for an auto insurance policy
If you are under 18 and trying to purchase a teen car insurance policy, the insurer will require an adult co-signer.
There is one exception: If you’re a 16- or 17-year-old minor under the legal custody of the Missouri Children’s Division under a court order, you can purchase a Missouri Automobile Insurance Plan policy without a co-signer.
Navigating teen car insurance can be complex. By learning more about what type of car insurance coverage you need and how rates vary by age, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision when the time comes.
You can also explore free auto insurance quotes — whether you’re a teen buying their first car or a parent shopping for better rates when adding your child to your policy as a licensed driver — to find options that fit your budget and situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 17-year-old own a car in Missouri?
Yes. A 16- or 17-year-old can have a car titled in their name in Missouri, since the state sets no minimum age for owning or registering a vehicle. The catch is contracts. Anyone under 18 cannot sign a legally binding purchase agreement, so most dealers and private sellers require a parent or guardian to co-sign the sale.
Do you have to be 18 to buy a car in Missouri?
Not to own one, but you must be 18 to finance one. Missouri’s legal age to sign a contract is 18. A minor can back out of a signed sales contract, return the car and recover what they paid, even after using it. That risk is why sellers ask an adult to co-sign when the buyer is under 18.
Can a minor get car insurance in Missouri without a parent?
Usually no. If you’re under 18 and buying a policy, the insurer requires an adult co-signer. One exception applies: a 16 or 17-year-old in the legal custody of the Missouri Children’s Division under a court order can buy a Missouri Automobile Insurance Plan policy without a co-signer.
How old do you have to be to drive in Missouri?
You must be at least 16 to drive a car in Missouri. Owning or titling a vehicle has no age minimum, but driving it does, and financing a car through an auto loan requires you to be 18.
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Sources
- Missouri Department of Social Services. “Frequently Asked Questions: Owner Policy for Youth.” Accessed July 2026.
- Missouri Legislature. “431.055. Persons competent to contract when eighteen years of age.” Accessed July 2026.
- Missouri Department of Revenue. “Buying a vehicle.” Accessed July 2026.
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