Can You Test Drive Cars With A Permit? Everything You Need To Know
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A test drive is one of the most important steps when buying a new car. Getting behind the wheel is the only proper way to determine if a vehicle is right for you. Just because a car looks great on the outside and comes with a desirable interior, it doesn’t mean it will drive and handle in a way that’s comfortable to you. Experiencing the car for yourself will give you much insight into making an informed decision.
With that said, most dealerships will require you to have a valid driver’s license for a test drive. But what if you don’t have a driver’s license but only a learner’s permit? Can you test drive cars with a permit?
For today’s post, we’ll answer the question: Can you test drive cars with a permit? Plus, everything else you need to know about driver’s licenses, learner’s permits, and test drives. Let’s get to it.
Can You Test Drive a Car With Only a Learner’s Permit?
Yes, you can test drive cars with a permit. However, it’s not guaranteed since it will depend on the dealership. While some car dealerships will allow those with permits to get behind the wheel of their vehicles, some won’t allow them to test drive cars due to age and lack of driving experience.
In general, being allowed to test drive will depend on the applicant’s age. As long as you’re over the age of 18 with a learner’s permit, many dealerships will allow you to drive one of their cars from the lot. Drivers below 18 must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years of age to test drive. Most dealerships in the United States require test drivers to be at least 18 years of age for test drives, although some would allow those below 18 as long as they’re with a licensed adult.
Ultimately, test driving policies can vary among different dealerships. Your best bet is to call ahead of time to learn more specific details.
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Why the Age Requirement?
In general, only those with valid driver’s licenses and are at least 18 years of age are allowed by dealerships to test drive. Younger drivers must be accompanied by an adult, parent, guardian, or even a sales representative in the car. Why is this the case?
These age requirements have everything to do with insurance, liability, and costs. Young drivers are more inexperienced in driving or have less experience on the road. As a result, younger drivers are more at risk of damaging their vehicles, where insurance premiums come into the equation, not to mention the potential risks to people on the road and other motorists. Insurance premiums have age requirements, and lowering the number will likely increase the premiums.
However, if you’re buying from a private seller, they may let an underage driver test drive the car at the risk of their insurance policies as well. Overall, the best practice for those with learners permit is to always bring a licensed driver for test drives.
Do You Need Insurance to Test Drive?
No. Whether you’re buying from a car dealership or a private seller, you typically don’t need to show proof of insurance for test drives. In case of an accident, the dealership’s insurance will usually cover vehicle damage or physical injuries during test drives.
When buying from a private seller, the owner’s insurance should also cover the injuries during test drives. However, checking if the seller has insurance and how much liability coverage they carry is always recommended. In general, it won’t hurt to have your own insurance regardless of where you’re buying the car because you may be liable for injuries and damages caused during a test drive.
Test Driving Without Insurance at a Dealership
As mentioned, most car dealerships should have no problem giving you a test drive even if you don’t have auto insurance. It’s a legal requirement for all dealerships to insure all the inventory on their lots. Typically, dealers will have a form of a blanket policy with coverage for accidents and any damage caused to the vehicle during a test drive. This policy is called “garage liability insurance” for both new and used cars and provides insurance for dealership employees and customers.
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Can You Buy a Car With a Learner’s Permit?
The good news is that you can buy a car without a valid driver’s license (although you need one to drive on your own) and just a learner’s permit – provided you have good credit. However, although you can technically buy a car with just a learner’s permit, you may encounter several challenges when insuring and registering the vehicle.
Below are some of the potential obstacles you’ll encounter if buying a car without a driver’s license:
- Insurance: Purchasing a vehicle with a learner’s permit will be a challenge and requires finding a company to insure you. Some insurance companies won’t provide coverage to someone without a driver’s license. Even if you do manage to find a company that will insure you, expect to pay higher premiums.
- Registration: Every state has its regulations about car registrations. Some states will not allow you to register your car without a valid driver’s license. However, in some states like California, you can register a vehicle with just a permit; you just can’t drive it without an adult with a valid driver’s license.
- Financing: Securing an auto loan without a license will also likely be challenging. Obviously, you’ll have to meet the different requirements of the lender, such as minimum credit score, etc. You may use your learner’s permit and other state identification cards to prove your identity to the loan provider.
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As you can see, you’re afforded plenty of privileges with just a learner’s permit. However, you’re also limited in many ways. So, can you test drive cars with a permit? In this regard, you can do a test drive, provided that you meet all the other requirements. Ultimately, if you can, get a valid driver’s license to make car ownership a lot easier.
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