CarInsurance.com Insights
- Most states require teens to be 18 to register a car in their name, even if titling is allowed earlier.
- Some states, including Texas and North Carolina, set no minimum age for titling a vehicle.
- Minors cannot legally sign an insurance policy, so a parent or guardian must be listed on the policy.
- Auto loans for minors require an adult co-signer.
- Emancipated minors are treated as adults for ownership, registration and insurance purposes.
In most states, teens need to be 18 to register a car in their name, though some states allow them to hold the title earlier. The rules around registration, insurance and loans all follow different age thresholds, so the answer depends on exactly what kind of ownership you are asking about. This guide walks through each one.
Most teens can have a car titled in their name before age 18, but registering that car, and insuring it, typically requires reaching 18 or having a parent co-sign. The exact rules vary by state. Some states like Texas and North Carolina set no minimum age for titling, while registration always requires proof of insurance, which minors can’t obtain on their own.
Can a teenager own a car?
In most cases, a teen must be 18 to register a car in their name. While it’s possible to title a vehicle in a teen’s name, it must be registered and insured to operate it on the street.
A teenager can have a car titled in their name in most states, but ownership in the practical sense, being able to legally drive it on public roads, requires registration and insurance. Registration typically requires the owner to be 18. Titling rules are more flexible and vary by state.
Emancipated minors can own cars
Emancipated minors can buy, register and insure a vehicle in their own name. Emancipation means that legally, a minor is freed from the control of their parents or guardian, and the parents are freed from the responsibility of the child.
There are several ways that a minor can be emancipated, but the most common methods are:
- Minor enlisted in the military: Enlisting as a minor requires parental consent.
- Getting married: In most states, this requires parental consent.
- A court order from a judge: This doesn’t require parental consent.
Once emancipated, a minor can legally enter into a contract, so age is no longer relevant. An emancipated minor can legally sign a purchase agreement for a car and an insurance policy. Emancipation laws vary by state.
Can a 16-year-old own a car?
Car ownership can be complex when a minor is involved. Minors can’t sign legal documents like car leases or liens and car insurance policies.
While some states allow 16-year-olds to own a car and title it in their name, a parent must co-sign the insurance policy. Insurance policies are legally binding contracts, and minors, unless emancipated, are unable to legally sign these documents without a parental co-signer.
Can a teen younger than 18 get a loan for a car?
No. In most states, a parent must co-sign a loan for a car. The vehicle’s title may be in either the parent’s or the teen’s name depending on your state’s rules, but the adult co-signer is legally responsible for the loan.
Minors cannot sign legal contracts. So, a car dealer selling to a minor will require a parent or guardian to sign the bill of sale and other contractual paperwork, binding the adult who signed the contract to the contract’s terms.
Can a 17-year-old buy a car from a private seller?
Purchasing a vehicle from a private party is the same as buying it from a dealership, so the same rules apply. If your state allows a vehicle to be titled in a minor’s name, the minor can buy it from a private party.
However, to register the vehicle, you must provide proof of insurance. Most insurance companies will not write a policy for a minor unless a parent or guardian is also on the policy.
Sophie’s tip
Not sure which policy setup makes the most sense for your teen? Use the InsureMyTeen calculator to walk through your options. It takes about two minutes.
Can a teen register a car in their own name?
Most states require teens to be 18 to register a car in their own name, though the rules for titling a vehicle are handled separately. State laws set the age requirements, and they vary more than you might expect. The examples below show how three states approach teen vehicle registration differently.
A motor vehicle title, also referred to as a “pink slip,” is a legal form that establishes the legal owner of a vehicle. A title shows who legally owns the car. Many states allow teens to own vehicles by listing their names on car titles.
Registration validates that your vehicle has been inspected and registered, deemed roadworthy and the taxes paid. Finally, the registration process verifies that the car is carrying the required amount of insurance, which is the part that can make registering a vehicle in a teen’s name problematic.
State laws vary regarding the age at which someone can register a car in their name. The best way to determine the requirements is to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles for details. Here are a few state examples to highlight the legal differences:
Texas
Texas does not set a minimum age for vehicle ownership or registration, according to the Texas DMV. A teen of any age can be listed on both the title and registration in Texas, as long as they can provide proof of insurance. Because insurance companies set their own age policies for those who can hold a policy, a parent or guardian will typically need to be on the insurance contract even if the registration is in the teen’s name.
North Carolina
North Carolina is similar to Texas in that the state does not set a minimum age limit on vehicle ownership. A car can be titled in a minor’s name, as long as the owner can sign their name on the title application.
However, a driver’s license or plate cannot be issued without proof of liability insurance on the vehicle, and insurance companies rarely write policies for minors. This means that under most circumstances, you must have a parent or guardian sign your insurance contract if you are younger than 18.
Ohio
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or BMV, allows teens to title a car but their parents must sign a form before that happens. If a driver younger than 18 wants to title a vehicle in Ohio, their parent or legal guardian must complete a minor consent form and 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.
Can a teenager insure a car in their own name?
No. A teenager cannot take out their own car insurance policy in any state. Insurance contracts are legally binding, and minors, unless emancipated, cannot sign them. To get coverage, a parent or guardian must be listed on the policy. If your state allows a teenager to own and register a car in their name, the teen’s parent will need to check with their insurance carrier to see if they could place the teen’s vehicle on their car insurance policy.
Technically, the parents may not have an insurable interest in the vehicle, meaning they don’t have a direct financial stake in it, so the insurer may refuse to add the teen’s car to their policy.
To legally sign an insurance policy or other contract, a person must be at the “age of majority,” the age when a child legally becomes an adult. The age of majority is at least 18, but it varies by state.
However, if a teen drives a vehicle owned by the parent, adding the teen driver to the parent’s policy is easy, and much cheaper.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
FAQs
Can a 16-year-old buy a car with cash on their own?
Yes, in most states, a 16-year-old can buy a car outright with cash, but they’ll face hurdles with registration and insurance. Some states allow the title in a minor’s name, but driving it legally requires registration and insurance, which typically need a parent or guardian’s involvement.
Can a 17-year-old get a loan to buy a car from a dealership?
Very unlikely without an adult co-signer. Minors cannot sign binding contracts in most states, so any auto loan requires a parent or guardian to co-sign. The co-signer takes on full legal responsibility for the loan. The same applies to used car dealerships and private sellers.
Can I transfer a car title to my 17-year-old?
In most states, no, or not without extra steps. Title and registration must be held by someone who has reached the age of majority, which is 18 in most states. If your state allows titling in a minor’s name, they’ll still need a parent’s help to register and insure the vehicle.
Can a minor be the primary named insured on an auto policy?
Not in most cases. Insurance policies are legally binding contracts, and minors cannot sign them without a parent or guardian. Even if a vehicle is titled in a teen’s name, the insurer will need an adult as the named policyholder. The teen can be listed as a driver.
Can an emancipated minor own, register and insure a car independently?
Yes. Emancipated minors are treated as legal adults for contracting purposes. They can sign a purchase agreement, title and register a vehicle, and obtain their own auto insurance policy. Emancipation typically requires a court order, military enlistment or marriage. Rules vary by state.
Conclusion
The rules around teen car ownership are surprisingly state-specific, but one thing is consistent across most states: Teens must be 18 before they can register a vehicle, obtain their own insurance policy or secure a car loan independently. If your teen is younger than 18, keeping the vehicle in a parent’s name and adding them to your policy is the most straightforward option, and typically the most affordable. When your teen is ready to get coverage, comparing quotes is the fastest way to find the right fit.
