Do You Need A Driver's License To Buy A Car?

Purchasing a vehicle is a huge milestone in anyone's life. While many people purchase a car to drive themselves, there are certain situations that arise when the person buying the car does not want to drive it and does not have a drivers license. So, do you need a driver's license to buy a car? Find out the answer below!

Who Would Need To Buy A Car Without A License?

While it is not possible to legally operate a vehicle without a drivers license, you may still need to buy a vehicle and not actually have a license, but why? Here are some possible reasons why:

• You are learning to drive and haven't qualified for a full license yet.
• You are buying the car as a gift to someone else.
• You hire someone to drive you around.
• You want to purchase a collectible car with no plans to drive it.
• You are disabled and need a vehicle for your caregiver.
• You are a business owner and need a vehicle for your employees to drive.
• You are purchasing a vehicle for a teenager who cannot legally get a loan for the car.

While you may have your reasons for wanting to buy a car, you need to understand that there may be potential roadblocks that come your way during the process.

Do You Need A Driver's License To Buy A Car?

For buyers in the United States, there is no law requiring a person to have a drivers license to purchase a vehicle. With that being said, there are aspects of the process that could prove challenging to someone without a license.

Financing A New Vehicle

Unless you are paying cash for the vehicle, you will need to get an auto loan. You do not need a driver's license to get an auto loan, but you will need some form of photo identification or the lender may not approve your application. An easy fix for this is to get a state photo ID, which you can then provide to the bank.

Getting Auto Insurance For A New Vehicle

This is where you may encounter a big snag in the process. Getting auto insurance for your vehicle when you don't have a driver's license can be challenging and expensive. Some traditional insurers may even refuse to offer you coverage. If you are able to find coverage, you will probably pay more since insurers typically view unlicensed drivers as riskier than licensed drivers. Your best bet is to work with an independent insurance agent, as they can provide quotes from multiple insurers and they might know more about which companies will insure unlicensed car owners.

Registration For A New Vehicle

This one depends on the state you live in. Some states require you to have a driver's license in order to register a vehicle. Other states allow you to register the vehicle with another form of photo ID. You will want to check your state laws before starting the car-buying process. If you do live in a state that requires a driver's license to register the vehicle, you could add a licensed co-owner and they can register the vehicle.

Buying A Vehicle Without A Driver's License

While you may have to jump through a few more hoops to make it happen, there are ways you can buy a car without having a driver's license. Your options include:

• Adding someone who is licensed as a co-owner of the vehicle, which will help with insurance, registration and financing.
• For the insurance policy, you could list a licensed member of your household as the primary driver.
• There are many options out there for financing, so you will need to shop around to find lenders who don't require a license.
• If you have a strong credit history and excellent credit score, more lenders will be willing to work with you.
• Work with an independent insurance agent who can help you shop around and find an insurer that works with unlicensed vehicle owners.

While it may not be an easy or cheap process, it is possible to buy a car without having a driver's license. Being prepared and knowing your state's laws and regulations is key. That should be your first step in the process, as you don't want to find your dream car and then not be able to buy it.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.