There is no minimum age limit when it comes to buying, titling or registering a vehicle in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Revenue. However, you must be at least 16 years old to drive a vehicle, and you can’t apply for an auto loan until you’re 18.
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, a contract to purchase a vehicle signed by anyone younger than 18 isn’t legally binding.
How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old
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 selling a vehicle to someone younger than 18 will require a parent or guardian to sign the contract along with the minor.
If you are under 18 and trying to get a teen car insurance policy, you will normally run into the same problem since the auto insurance policy is also a contract. When purchasing your policy, the car insurance company will want an adult to sign on the policy with you, a minor.
Get a co-signor for an auto insurance policy
If you want a car insurance policy in your own name as a teen, be prepared to have a parent or guardian sign on the policy with you. 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, 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.
— Katrina Raenell and Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
Resources & Methodology
Sources:
- Missouri Department of Social Services. “Frequently Asked Questions: Owner Policy for Youth.” Accessed January 2023.
- Missouri Legislature. “431.055. Persons competent to contract when eighteen years of age.” Accessed January 2023.
- Missouri Department of Revenue. “Buying a vehicle.” Accessed January 2023.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura Longero is an insurance expert and Executive Editor at CarInsurance.com, where she specializes in helping consumers navigate the complexities of the financial and insurance industries. She has 15 years of experience educating people about finance and car insurance. Prior to joining CarInsurance.com, she worked as a reporter and editor at the USA Today Network. Her expertise provides readers with practical guidance, helping them make informed choices about their financial and insurance needs.
Ask the Insurance Expert
John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Leslie Kasperowicz
Executive Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
Ask the Insurance Expert
Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.