Can I Buy a Car Without a Driver's License?
3 Answers
You can buy a car without a driver's license, but you cannot drive the car on the road after purchase, as driving without a license is illegal. When registering the car after purchase, a driver's license is not required. To register a new car, you will need an ID card, certificate of conformity, purchase invoice, proof of purchase tax payment, insurance policy, etc. At the vehicle management office, staff will inspect the vehicle and take photos. After registration, the owner will receive the vehicle registration certificate and the vehicle license. The registration certificate is like the car's household register, while the vehicle license is its ID card. The vehicle license must be carried in the car at all times, but the registration certificate is not recommended to be kept in the car—it's better to store it at home. When driving, you must carry both your driver's license and vehicle license. After obtaining your driver's license, it's advisable to have an experienced driver accompany you in the passenger seat when you start driving. During the probationary period, you are not allowed to drive on highways alone.
I've driven quite a few cars and helped friends purchase several vehicles. I can tell you that it's entirely possible to buy a car without a driver's license! Car ownership is about property rights, and legally, you don't need a license to own a vehicle. As long as you can pay and sign the transfer contract, the car is yours. However, there are several follow-up issues: You'll need to register the vehicle, which usually doesn't require a driver's license—just personal identification. But car insurance might be a problem—insurers may refuse coverage or charge higher premiums if they see you don't have a license, as they consider it a higher risk with no licensed driver. Consider the purpose before buying: If it's just for collection or investment, buying a good car for appreciation is fine. But if you plan to use it, arrange for someone else to drive, like a family member. Don't overlook maintenance costs—parking, upkeep, etc., all cost money. If you drive without a license, you'll face fines, which isn't worth it. In short, owning a car is easy, but driving it is hard—getting a license first is the safer choice.
When I bought my first car, I didn't have a driver's license either, but I still succeeded! I went straight to the car market, picked out a small car, negotiated the price with the seller, paid a deposit, and then signed an agreement to transfer ownership. Simple, right? But it was tough with the insurance company—when I said I didn't have a license, they required me to find a licensed friend to be the primary policyholder, otherwise, the premium would be shockingly high. After buying the car, I left it parked until I got my license, saving up for some minor modifications along the way. You need to be careful not to act impulsively: buying a car isn't just about the purchase price, there are also annual inspections, parking fees, and other expenses—even renting a small garage cost me a lot. If you just want to own an asset, like buying a cheap car as a backup, that's fine; but never drive it illegally—getting caught would be terrible. In the end, not having a license doesn't affect ownership, but using the car is complicated, so you need to plan ahead.
