can a 17 year old lease a car

[LaPreston]

No, a 17-year-old cannot legally lease a car on their own in the United States. The primary reason is that a lease is a legally binding contract, and federal law requires an individual to be at least 18 years old—the age of majority in most states—to enter into such an agreement without a co-signer. A contract signed by a minor is generally voidable, meaning the 17-year-old could theoretically walk away from it, which presents an unacceptable financial risk for the leasing company.

Beyond the age barrier, there are significant financial hurdles. Leasing companies perform a hard credit check and require a proven credit history and a stable income sufficient to cover the monthly payments, insurance, and other costs. Most 17-year-olds lack the established credit profile and verifiable income needed for approval.

However, there is a common workaround: having a parent or legal guardian with a strong credit history co-sign the lease. The co-signer is equally responsible for the lease payments, which minimizes the risk for the lessor. It's a major financial commitment for the adult, as any missed payments will damage their credit score. Even with a co-signer, the teen must be listed as a primary driver on the insurance policy, which is notoriously expensive for young drivers. A more practical and financially sound alternative for most teens is to consider a reliable used car with financing or parental assistance.

Obstacle for a 17-Year-Old	Explanation	Supporting Data / Reason
Legal Age of Contract	Must be 18 to sign a binding contract alone.	Age of majority is 18 in 47 states; 19 in Nebraska and Alabama.
Credit History	Requires an established, positive credit score.	The average 18-24 year old has a credit score of 679 (Fair); a 17-year-old has none.
Income Verification	Need proof of stable income to cover payments.	Leasing companies often require a debt-to-income ratio below 45%.
Insurance Costs	Premiums for teen drivers are extremely high.	Adding a teen to a policy increases premiums by an average of 130-180%.
Co-signer Requirement	A credit-qualified adult must share responsibility.	The co-signer's credit score typically needs to be 700+ for approval.

[DiPreston]

Honestly, it's a solid no. You gotta be 18 to sign any contract like a lease by yourself. The bigger issue is money. These companies check your credit, and at 17, you probably don't have any. Even if you have a job, they want to see a long history of stable income. Your best shot is if a parent is willing to co-sign, but that's a huge ask—they're on the hook for every payment if you can't make it. The insurance bill alone will be a shock.

[McJason]

From a strictly legal standpoint, a minor cannot be held to a contract. Since a car lease is a binding financial agreement, the law views anyone under 18 as incapable of entering into it. This protects young people from predatory terms but also blocks them from leasing independently. The system is designed this way to prevent situations where a teen could be saddled with debt they don't understand. The only feasible path is through a parent, who essentially leases the car for the teen to use.

[MacRose]

I looked into this for my nephew. The dealerships won't even talk to you without an adult present. It's not just about being 17; it's about risk. You have no credit score, which is like a financial report card. Leasing is like renting an apartment—they need to know you can pay. The insurance is the real killer, though. Putting a 17-year-old on a policy for a new leased car? The monthly cost is more than some car payments. It's smarter to find a decent used car first.