Deciding when to buy your child a car used to feel fairly straightforward. For many families, it happened around a birthday, a license milestone, or the start of college. Today, the same decision carries a lot of weight. The biggest factor is that cars cost more than they did even a few years ago, which has made things a little complicated.
Some parents are of the mindset that their kids should buy their own cars entirely with their own money. Others partially contribute to the purchase, while some pay for it entirely. So, you really have to consider: does your kid really need a car the second they turn 16? Do they even need one until they have their first real job?
Today, we’ll discuss some of the key factors that every parent needs to take into account when thinking about cars for teens.
Why Are First Cars Happening Later These Days?
More young people are getting their first cars later than previous generations. As we just mentioned, cost plays a major role in that shift, but some perspective helps. According to S&P Global, nearly 1 in 5 new vehicles now have monthly payments of over $1,000. This rising cost of ownership has affected how many young people can buy new cars. That said, the 18-34 age group is still responsible for nearly 1.1 million new vehicle registrations between April 2024 and March 2025.
Putting aside affordability, readiness is also another factor. Some teens benefit from learning to drive with structure and clear boundaries before owning a vehicle outright. Others may not need a car until commuting becomes necessary for work or school. A lot of parents are realizing that a license does not automatically mean daily driving is required.
This is why many allow their teens to drive the family car when needed instead. This method gives you a way to assess your kids’ routine, responsibility level, and driving skills before trusting them with their own car.
Having a Car Early Does Come With Advantages
Many teens rely on ride-sharing services when they do not have access to a car. However, several incidents have shown how risky that dependence can be. Just recently, a 17-year-old from Darien, Connecticut, had a terrible experience with her 33-year-old Uber driver, who was charged with sexual assault. Interiano, the accused, gave her a bottle of water, which put her in a severely intoxicated state. Similarly, in North Texas, another Uber driver had sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl.
That young child would never feel safe in her late teens, any time she has to step into an Uber instead of her own car. Unfortunately, she’s not alone. Thousands of women of all ages have had to hire an Uber sexual assault lawyer to fight for justice in court.
As TorHoerman Law points out, Uber has already had reports of over 400,000 sexual assaults and misconduct by their drivers. No parent wants their daughter to end up as a part of this statistic. Thus, personal vehicles reduce the need for late-night rides with unfamiliar drivers or pressure to accept transportation that does not feel safe.
Outside of safety, the advantages also extend to social life and networking. It’s no secret that many teens are prone to bedrotting with social media. Having their own cars gives them that extra motivation to attend concerts or take short day trips with friends.
Early Car Ownership Does Have Its Safety Risks
Driving is a skill, and it does demand split-second judgment and spotting risks before they turn into emergencies. These skills take time to develop, and most teens are still very much in the middle of that process. The numbers back this up as well.
According to the CDC, drivers aged 16 to 19 face a higher risk of car accidents than people in any other age group. In fact, they have a fatal crash rate that’s 3 times higher than that of drivers aged 20 and older. Likewise, male teens also fatally crashed three times more than female drivers of the same age.
Part of the problem is overconfidence. New drivers often feel capable after a few months on the road, but their experience is still limited. Teens are more likely to underestimate danger, especially in situations involving speeding, nighttime driving, or friends in the car. Add distractions like phones, loud music, or peer pressure, and the risk multiplies quickly.
There’s also the emotional side of driving. Teens are more prone to impulsive decisions, frustration, and risk-taking, particularly during stressful moments. A bad day at school, an argument with a friend, or the urge to impress passengers can all affect how they drive behind the wheel.
Who’s Going To Pay for Maintenance?
When teens ask for their own car, the conversation usually starts with freedom and convenience. What often gets skipped is the less exciting question: who’s actually paying for everything that comes after the keys are handed over? This amount can add up to a surprising amount every year.
According to NerdWallet, the average monthly payment on a new car was $748 as of 2025. However, that doesn’t include the maintenance and other fees you need to be responsible for. Even for a medium sedan, the most affordable option, annual fuel costs average $1669, insurance is another $1,572, and maintenance adds up to $1,786.
On top of that, each state has its own licensing, registration, and taxes, which average to about $613. Totally, you’re looking at upwards of $5,670 every year (and remember, this doesn’t include the monthly payment on the car).
For teens, these numbers often feel abstract. Gas money sounds manageable. Insurance feels like a parent problem. Maintenance is something that “just happens.” However, for parents, it’s a real financial commitment. This is especially true if the teen isn’t contributing meaningfully or doesn’t fully understand what car ownership actually costs.
Moreover, if you’re footing all the bills, teens aren’t really going to be worried about how they treat their car. This is why asking who pays for maintenance isn’t you being mean, but you setting realistic expectations. If your teen replies with a well-thought-out plan or system, you can relax knowing they have a responsible bone somewhere in them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the safest car for a teenager?
The safest car for a teenager is usually a newer, smaller sedan or compact SUV with strong crash-test ratings and modern safety features. Things like automatic emergency braking, lane assist, and blind spot monitoring help cover mistakes that new drivers are still learning to avoid.
2. What is the leading cause of teen car crashes?
The biggest cause of teen car crashes is inexperience. New drivers are more likely to misjudge speed, overcorrect, or get distracted. Add phones, friends in the car, or nighttime driving, and the risk increases quickly, especially during the first year of driving.
3. Why are cars so much more expensive than they used to be?
Cars cost more because they include more technology, safety systems, and stricter emissions equipment. On top of that, supply chain disruptions, higher labor costs, and strong demand have pushed prices up, making even basic models far more expensive than they were a decade ago.
Ultimately, there is no universal age that guarantees the right outcome when buying your child a car. Only you know your kid and how they have handled major responsibilities in the past. There are very real reasons why having a car early can change one’s life for the better.
At the same time, the inverse is also true, as we’ve seen with the 3x higher crash statistics. Instead of thinking about when most people buy a car for their kids, it often helps to ask what risks your child faces today and how transportation fits into that reality.
