Whether you’re a mechanic or a person looking to purchase a new vehicle, test driving the car is essential to determine if the car’s trouble has been resolved or to feel the car’s performance.
However, specific laws state how old a person must be to test-drive a car. These age restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of the individual test-driving the vehicle and to protect the dealership from liability.
One of the important aspects of test-driving a car, especially for anyone looking to purchase a new vehicle, is that it allows you to feel the car’s features and performance in a way that’s not possible through online research or reviews.
In this article, we will explore how old you must be to test-drive a car and why age restrictions are necessary.
Why Age Restrictions?
While test driving can be a stimulating experience, certain age restrictions determine whether someone can test drive a car.
Here are some reasons why these restrictions are necessary:
Safety
One of the main reasons for age restrictions on test driving a car is to ensure the safety of the individual and other road users.
Test driving is usually done on public roads, which can be dangerous for inexperienced or unlicensed drivers. For this reason, many dealers require individuals to have a valid driver’s license to test drive a car or to have a guardian in the car.
By enforcing age restrictions, car dealers can help ensure that only those capable of safely test-driving a car are allowed to do so.
Liability
Dealerships may be held liable for any accidents or damage during the test drive, especially if the driver is under the legal driving age or doesn’t have a valid driver’s license.
The dealership also risks legal action by the guardian. For this reason, many car dealers have strict age requirements, ranging from 18 to 21, for test-driving a car to minimize their liability.
Legal Requirements
Aside from a valid driving license, some dealerships may require individuals to provide proof of insurance before test-driving a vehicle. Other dealerships may need individuals to complete a credit check before test-driving a car, especially if the individual is interested in financing the purchase.
It’s also worth noting that these age restrictions are not just put in place to protect the dealership but also to protect the individual. If individuals who are too young or inexperienced are given access to test drive a car on public roads, it could result in severe accidents or even worse.
How Old to Test Drive a Car
The legal age to test drive a car varies from state to state and country to country. In the United States, the legal driving age is typically 16, but the age to test-drive a car can vary depending on the dealership’s policies. Some dealerships may allow individuals as young as 15 to test drive a vehicle with a parent or guardian’s permission, while others may require the individual to be at least 18 years old.
Here’s a list of things to keep in check if you want to test drive a car at age 16.
Go with a Parent/Guardian:
Taking your parents or guardians to the dealership when you want to purchase a new ride is an ideal way to show the dealership that you’re not there for jokes. Your guardian may have to sign a permission waiver to allow you to drive.
Have purchasing intent:
You’ll be allowed to test drive if you show enough seriousness by asking and answering a few questions and proving that you have the cash to pay for the car.
Book an Appointment:
Booking an appointment with a salesperson and explaining the situation will help them trust you more. They may ask you some questions and require proof of insurance before allowing you to test drive.
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