How Can You Buy a Car With a Permit?
Over the past few years, buying a car has become a simple process due to fewer restrictions from the authorities. You do not require an active driver's license or any other permit but rather a few documents to show you are eligible to own a car. This has made it easier for people with a driver's license permit to acquire a vehicle. A learner's permit is a document that you get before getting a driver's license. The permit allows you to practice driving as you wait for an official test to be approved to drive a car. So, if you are asking yourself how to buy a car with a permit, let's find out.
If you have a learner's permit and have a social security number, you can quickly obtain a car. Several dealers allow you to buy a car with a learner's permit. However, the only issue you will face is registering the car because that would require a driver's license. Also, if you have a good credit score, you can opt for financing for your car rather than paying it in cash since it has some good long-term benefits.
This article aims to discuss how to choose the best car to buy, steps to take when buying a car with a permit, financing vs. paying in cash, and some of the best car financing platforms you can opt for in 2021. Once you understand every underlying factor in buying a car with a permit, the process will be simple and stress-free!
How to choose the best car to buy?
Choosing the best car to buy involves several factors, and here are some to consider:
i) Mileage of the car
Before you buy the car, ensure that it has a mileage of less than $200,000. However, if you opt for a new car, then you should not worry about mileage. Mileage is not a very important factor if the vehicle is well maintained, but it is always good to take caution since it can be expensive to do regular maintenance.
ii) Your budget
Whether you are opting for financing or purchasing the car with cash, it is essential to plan your car's budget. If you opt for financing, ensure you choose an affordable car according to your budget in the long term. This will help you have a well-laid-out plan when paying monthly installments for financing.
iii) Dealership
Ensure to choose a good dealership that sells high-quality cars. Whether it's a new or used vehicle, a good dealership should give you accurate information about the car and not try to forge any details. By going to a good dealership, you are assured that the car is reliable in the future.
iv) Test drive
Doing a test drive before buying a car is very important. This will give you a clear glimpse of how the car feels and whether it's a good option in the long run. You can also bring in your local mechanic to see if the car is in perfect condition.
How to buy a car with a permit?
If you have ever leased a car with no money down, then buying a car with a permit is a simple process. Here are some steps to take:
Step 1: Find a car of your choice
Choose a car that suits your budget, and you will be comfortable with it in the long term Research the car manufacturer and any other information that you may find about the car. Make sure you have done enough Research about the car. The car should also be cheap to maintain in the long run.
Step 2: Purchase the car or opt for financing
You can opt for financing if you can't afford the full amount for the car. However, if you have enough cash, the best option is to pay the full amount to avoid any interest rates.
Step 3: Choose a dealership
Go to a dealership with a good reputation to get a high-quality car. You can always ask your friend about the best dealership as this will help you filter out crap car sellers. The dealership should also offer affordable cars and allow you to negotiate for the best car deal. You should also consider a dealership that accepts purchases with a permit.
Step 4: Register your vehicle
For you to register the vehicle, you will need to have a permit or an active driver's license. If you don't have a license, you can consider your closest relative to register the car for you then, later on, do a swap to your name once the driving license is ready.
Paying for the car vs financing: Which is better?
Paying and financing for a car are both good options when getting a car. You can opt for financing in the following situations:
- You do not have enough money to purchase the car- If you cannot save the full amount of cash required to get the car and need the car urgently, then it is best to get financing. You can then pay installments until you finish paying for the full amount.
- If you are comfortable with regular payments- If paying the installments won't affect your budget in any way, then I'd recommend financing. This is much better compared to such situations where you may need money for urgent expenses.
- You need funds for other uses- If you want money to use for your daily expenses, then it's best to get financing. This will reduce the burden of maxing out credit cards to meet your current expenses if you cannot afford the car.
- If you wish to enhance your credit history- If you want to enhance your credit history, then it's best to get a financing loan. If you pay the installments on time, you'll be able to enhance your credit score with ease.
- You are sure to meet the payments on time- If you can pay for the financing loan on time, you can get the loan. Being late for payment may ruin your credit score, making it hard to get any loan.
Which are the best Auto companies to use when buying a car with a permit?
Below are some of the best companies which offer finance when it comes to buying a loan:
1) Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the oldest banks and is known to offer the best financing rates. Their APR starts at 2.69%, which is way better compared to some financing companies. The loans start at $7500- $100,000, which means you can get between a mid-range or high-end car. The loan can be repaid between 12-72 months. However, it's recommended to clear the payments early to avoid more interest rates. With Bank of America, you can get an interest rate discount for preferred rewards members. It also has good reviews among Internet communities.
2) LightStream
LightStream is a leading lender that comes with many perks. The provider has an APR ranging between 2.49%-11.89%, and they support AutoPay. With autoPay, you can easily make payments on time if you have enough cash flow to your account. The loan amount ranges between $5000 - 100,000, which gives you a chance to buy any car of your choice. This financing can be paid between 24- 84 months. They also have no restrictions on age or any model of vehicle. This makes them the best auto loan companies you can opt for.
3) Clearance
Clearance is a great auto loan provider that works in all the regions across the US. They offer some cool benefits in terms of APR and have few restrictions on the type of model car to choose. The APR also varies based on several factors. As for the amount of loan offered, it may vary with each State. Luckily, it is in the same range as other financing companies. One benefit of Clearlane is that it lets you check offers from multiple lenders hence you get the best deal and pay for less.
4) OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial is a leading finance company based in almost all the States in the US. Their APR ranges between 18.00%-35.99% which is quite impressive compared to most lenders. The loan amount varies with States but if you live in a State with good incentives, you are likely to get a huge loan amount. The loan can then be paid between 2 to 5 years. Onemain financial gives you a chance to get joint and secured loan options, enhancing flexibility when it comes to choosing the best loans.
5) Chase
Chase is one of the oldest and reliable banks in the US. They are known for their interest-friendly auto loans that have enabled millions of people to access loans with low interest rates. The APR ranges between 3.09% - 15.99%. You can get a loan of $4000 or more. It all depends on the type of car you wish to get and the ability for you to pay in installments. The payment period ranges between 12-75 months. Luckily, Chase supports an auto buying concierge program that
6) BlueSky
BlueSky is a cutting-edge auto finance service provider that offers auto loans to people with bad credit. Whether you have bad credit, no credit, or are bankrupt, HBluesky is the best option for you. They also allow you to choose your car with near-zero restrictions. If approved, users can get a loan of up to $30,000, and the least is $7500. The APR varies based on your State and other factors. The loan period ranges between 24-72 months. You also get a free dealer match and this allows you to negotiate easily to get the best car at an affordable price.
7) Capital One
Capital One is a leading auto loan company that offers affordable and flexible loans to qualifying persons. One of its key benefits is that it does not require any downpayment making it easier to access loans. However, the only downside is that you need to have a good credit score. The loan offered starts at $4,000 and you are given a repayment period ranging between 36-72 months. It has good reviews on various community forums.
8) RoadLoans
RoadLoans is one of the easiest platforms to get a loan to finance your purchase. The lender has a simple application process that takes only minutes. You can apply online from your tablet, phone, or computer. You will be required to fill an application form, and it will take some minutes to get approved. Once approved, you will get financing, and you will be able to go to a dealer of your choice and buy the car. The APR starts between 1.99% to 25% and the loans start at $5,000 - $75,000 with a repayment period of 12 - 84 months. RoadLoans does not require any credits to be approved. It has a score of 2.8/5.0 on various community forums on the internet.
Bottom line
Buying a car with a permit has become way easier over recent years. You can also get financing despite your age or whether you have a driver's license or a learner's permit. The companies listed in this article offer the best deals when it comes to financing a car. We also talked about what to consider before buying a car and ensure to always have the tips in mind to avoid getting a worn-out car. Lastly, we discussed the steps taken to buy a car with a permit in the United States.