Yahoo Autos Can You Buy a Car Without a License?
It's possible to purchase a car without a driver's license, but it's not always easy. Most importantly, know that you can't legally drive a newly purchased car off the dealer's lot unless you have a valid driver's license.
As a result, you might need to recruit a friend or family member to help you buy a car. Here's what you need to know about buying a car without a license, how it works, and what obstacles you might run into.
Do You Need a License to Buy a Car?
You can buy a car without a license in every state. However, you won't be able to drive your new vehicle without a valid license.
If you buy a car without a license, you can either have the vehicle delivered to your home or ask someone with a valid license to drive it off the lot to you. If you have your learner's permit, you can drive with a licensed driver as a passenger.
In addition, almost every state requires vehicle owners to have an active car insurance policy when purchasing a vehicle. Getting car insurance without a license can also be challenging, so it's wise to shop around and see if you can find a car insurance company to insure you without a license before buying a car.
Can You Take a Test Drive Without a License?
You can't legally test drive a vehicle without a license, even if you intend on getting a license in the future. If you have a learner's permit, some dealers might let you test drive a vehicle with a licensed driver as a passenger.
However, every dealership has its own rules. If you want to get a feel for how a car rides, ask the sales representative to drive and ride as a passenger, or ask a friend or family member to test drive it for you.
Why Buy a Car Without a License?
Most car buyers have a driver's license when they purchase a vehicle. However, you may be interested in buying a car for reasons other than driving it yourself. Here are some situations where you might want to buy a car without having a valid driver's license:
Buying a car as a gift: If you want to buy a car for a friend or family member as a gift, you might be shopping for a vehicle without a driver's license.
Collecting cars: If you collect cars but don't drive them, you may not need a valid driver's license to add a car to your collection.
Purchasing a company vehicle: Business owners might buy a vehicle for company use and allow their employees with driver's licenses to drive the car for deliveries or transportation.
Getting a car with a learner's permit: Maybe you have your learner's permit, and you're waiting to take your license test. At this point, you might want to purchase a vehicle without a license so you can drive it after you pass your exam.
Buying a car for a caregiver or personal driver: If you or a family member employ a caregiver or personal driver, you may want to purchase a vehicle for use while they drive you. You can buy this car without a driver's license if another licensed driver will be using it.
How Do You Get Car Insurance Without a License?
Car insurance is a legal requirement in almost every state. Dealers won't allow you to take your car off the lot without proof of insurance. You can purchase an insurance policy without a driver's license, but a licensed driver must be listed as the primary driver. You can list yourself as the owner of the policy and the vehicle owner, but the primary driver must be licensed.
Another thing to consider is that getting car insurance without a license may be more expensive, as not having a license is seen as a big risk factor. For example, if you buy a car and keep it in your garage, there's nothing stopping you from getting behind the wheel, even if you are unlicensed.
It's a good idea to shop around and get quotes from a few insurance companies to find the lowest rate for the coverage you need.
How Can You Finance a Car Without a License?
Financing a car without a license usually isn't an issue. Most banks and credit unions won't request to see your driver's license when you apply for a loan, but you will need to present an alternative form of identification.
Before you buy a car, consider getting pre-approved for an auto loan to figure out what interest rates and terms you can get based on your credit score and financial history. These applications use a soft credit check so they won't hurt your credit score.
Can You Register a Car Without a License?
You don't need a license to register a car. When you purchase a car, the dealership usually handles the registration on your behalf.
But if you need to register a vehicle yourself, you can go to the DMV with the right paperwork and provide a valid form of identification to complete the process. If you don't have a license, check your DMV's website to see what alternative forms of identification are accepted.
Should You Buy a Car Without a License?
While it's possible to buy a car without a license, it's more complicated and not always advisable. If you have your learner's permit and want to get your license soon, you can probably save time and money by waiting to purchase a car until you have your license.
If you're buying a car as a gift for a licensed driver, bring them to the dealership if possible so they can complete the test drive. Then, have them purchase insurance and register the car in their name to avoid any obstacles.
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