So I don't know if this is the correct forum, but it has to do with money somewhat.

I'm 17, no drivers license. Can I still buy a car without one? From an independent seller, not a dealership.

I've never known how the process works. What are the steps? Do I just hand over the money, and I get the keys?

I don't want to pay for it and not get to take it off their drive-way.

yes, you can buy the car and own it (like have your name on the title). but you cannot get registration for it. so pretty much you will own the car but cannot drive it until you get your liscense to get registration. registration is when you get insurance and a liscence plate.

Yeah, but can I take it? Is it still their responsibility once they sell it to me? I don't care about the legality, but can I drive it away once I give him the cash?

You will likely have to pay someone to move it on a trailer to your house. When I bought my second car I drove it home illegally with my old plates and no inspection sticker across state lines, so if you were just driving a few minutes down the road then you might be able to pull it off. But no, it's not legal.

And you also need a license to register it as well? I read that I do, I also read some shit where it says I don't. what's what?

pretty much you cant drive it unless you have a liscense or a permit. but yea i agree with the other guy about only driving a few minutes. you could pull that off. as for registration you will need a liscense. that happened to me. i had to wait till i had my liscense to register my car. i bought it when i only had a permit and couldnt drive by myself. i had to wait like 2 months for the paperwork too. it sucked.

technically, you can't own anything until you're 18. so no.

The general rule is that you can drive a vehicle from the "previous owner's" residence to the "buyer's residence" (or a repair-shop) without registration, plates or insurance. As long as you have a valid title (properly signed and dated), you are allowed to take advantage of this one-time, one-way delivery method. So this means, you WILL be able to remove the vehicle from the previous owner's property.

The second issue is about YOU driving the vehicle.... because you do not have a driving license, you cannot drive a car (irrespective of you being the owner or not). Preferably get an adult or someone who has a driver's license to help you move. Make sure they have insurance too, in-order to cover all eventualities.

Lastly, I strongly recommend writing a check or giving a money order to the seller. You can make a money order for $0.89 at the post office or get a certified banker's check for $2.90. I love cash, but not when buying things where a paper-trail might be useful if things ever went wrong.

Good luck.

It seems that getting the vehicle registered in your name w/o a drivers license depends on the state you are in. I know a few people who bought cars before they could drive and just had their friends drive them around until they got their license.

You could also have the title in your name and the registration in your parents name.

And the poster above me is correct, you can legally transport a car from point of sale to your residence without proper plates or stickers, but the chances of being pulled over by the police increases greatly, and whenever you get pulled over they ask for your drivers license to check your identity... so get someone with a license to help you transport.

To check about the registration regulations in your state go to your local DMV (if you have one in your town) or to the local insurance agent.

I hope you get your new car!

For a start, I think you should tell us where you live. You big gwennus.