HOW CAN YOU LEASE A CAR FOR A TEENAGER?

As a wise parent, you probably want your kid to drive safely with the least hassle and most convenience. Therefore, leasing a car offers the safety of a new vehicle with lower monthly payments than for a typical car purchase. It seems like a practical option for teenagers. Want to learn more about your options? Click here to contact your personal lease expert.

Can a 16-year-old or 17-year-old Lease a Car?

In fact, no. The minimum age to lease a car equals 18, as it is the line where the maturity starts. That is why a teenager can’t act on his own behalf, as he is not allowed to sign any contracts by US law. To some extent, it is quite right, as a vehicle lease is a serious step, and stumbling may be quite natural for a young and inexperienced lessee.

Still, some parents are sure that driving a car is the best way for the students to be all over, and the age of 16 or 17 is not an obstacle. In this case, it’s the time to study dealerships nearby, searching for some good personal lease offers.

Why Can Parents Think of Leasing a Vehicle for a Teenager?

If driving a car by your son or daughter is a done deal, now you have to choose the right vehicle. Most parents choose between buying a used auto and a leased car. Each option has got its benefits, though the second one looks more rational in many ways:

• Your teenager is driving a new car with advanced security features. It is this aspect that inspires many parents to go to dealerships or to a responsible auto broker for the most suitable offer. Более того, the leasing period often matches the period of parking access for college students, and this looks very convenient.
• Leasing costs you less. Today, a lot of dealerships and brokers provide very attractive offers. Sometimes, a leased car may require less than $100 of monthly payments! There are some makes and models that suit a teenager best, as they are compact, drivable, safe, and frugal. Usually, it is something like a Kia Forte, Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla Hatchback, or Toyota Yaris. We don’t think leasing powerful and executive cars is a good idea, as adolescence implies a different vision and needs.
• No maintenance and repair problems. When buying a used car at high depreciation, you face the risk of rising costs of components and repairs. Besides, few teenagers can cope with the vehicle in trouble, so an extra headache is highly likely to stay with you. The lessees are spared all these problems as the leased cars are under manufacturer’s warranty.

So, Can I Lease a Car for My Teenager?

Though when it comes to the deal, most car-leasing companies are unlikely to lease a car to anyone under 18 because of contract restrictions for minors. More to that, teens also have to pass the credit check. 

Just like they do for other applicants, before approving the application leasing companies do the checking. They evaluate an adult teen’s income, monthly obligations, and credit score. A score of 670 or above​ is ideal for a lease as we mentioned here. But most teens haven’t had time to build up a great credit score yet. 

Sometimes it means they’ll have to pay high-interest rates on the lease or may not get approved at all. So there is no way a teenager can get a leased car? Actually, it is possible and in most cases, you (as an adult) end up having 2 options:

• You have to lease the car on the teen’s behalf 
• You need to co-sign on the lease

Let’s dive into the details of these both ways.

Leasing a car on the teen’s behalf

The adult can be the sole applicant for the lease. If the driver is under 18 (which is the minimum age for signing up the deal) and an adult intends to sign the lease on their behalf, it is a must to check with the company‘s policy.

Some companies allow the driver to be properly named on the lease contract. Though it’s not necessarily included in the lease agreement. The teen’s name may not be on the lease agreement with one exclusion. As long as he is listed and covered by the adult’s auto insurance policy, he can still drive the leased vehicle.

Co-signing on the lease with a teenager

Another way is to put your name as a co-signer in the contract. It’s a big deal and in this case, you become liable for the whole process. Co-lessees are treated as equal owners and are liable for negligent operation of the vehicle, regardless of who’s driving it. 

Adult teenagers can benefit from this arrangement too. Adding a co-signer who has a strong credit history, a stable income, and minimal debts can help a lot. This way a teen can qualify for a larger lease obligation at a more competitive interest rate.

Are There Any Pitfalls When Leasing a Car for Your Teenager?

Although leasing a car for your child is a good idea in many ways, each coin has two sides. We feel it is our duty to warn you of possible difficulties before you contact a dealership or auto broker:

• Risk of damage to the leased car. Youth and carelessness can play a nasty trick on an inexperienced driver, so dents, scratches, or damaged seat upholstery can happen. All costs will fall on you, so an unpleasant surprise can expect you at the end of your lease period.
• Violation of the mileage. Lease contracts set limits on mileage up to an average of 12 thousand miles, but your teenager may not even notice his going beyond. You can save yourself from this by requesting a larger mileage allowance at the time of signing the deal.
• Your child is still without a car when the lease ends. You could spend that time repaying a loan for his own car. However, life is unpredictable, and we can hardly say for sure how it could all happen.

Besides, driving a car is a responsibility, and the teenager should be fully aware of it. Weigh all the pros and cons; if the character, lifestyle, and environment of your child are not compatible with conscious driving, it is worth postponing both buying and leasing.

To sum up

Being young and free, you definitely want to enjoy this period of time. But we should not forget to be responsible for our safety and take an action. DMV declares that New York State requires young people under age 18 to train for driving. You have to progress through the phases of the State’s Graduated Driver License Law (GDL). The GDL allows drivers in this at-risk age group to gain experience and gradually display their safe driving ability. 

Leasing a car instead of purchasing one is a great idea If your teen needs a car in high school or at college. You could choose to take out a loan to buy a car, but you’d pay more than if you lease a car of equivalent value. With monthly payments of about $100, a low-payment lease deal can have a number of benefits for you. 

Choosing to lease your teen gets a new car with the latest safety features, a full warranty, and affordable monthly payments. Leases are typically for two to three years, often the same amount of time that a college student may have parking access at school. 

As students often stay local, mileage restrictions will not be a concern for you. Whether you co-sign or lease a car on your teen’s behalf, you are taking smart action to save money and provide your teenager with a reliable vehicle. With Grand Prix Motors you get a massive choice of affordable new cars and excellent service with your personal lease expert. 

#enjoy your freedom with Grand Prix Motors!

Related articles

• WHEN DOES LEASING A CAR MAKE SENSE
• HOW TO LEASE YOUR FIRST CAR
• WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE LEASING A CAR