Does Your Teen Really Need a Car? The Numbers May Surprise You

The True Costs of Teen Driving

The numbers don’t lie: It’s downright expensive to purchase, own, and operate a car today. For proof, ponder that:

• The average new car price currently exceeds $49,000 versus nearly $27,000 for a used vehicle, Kelly Blue Book reports.^[1], [2]  
• The total expense of owning and operating a new automobile is $11,577, or $964.78 monthly, per AAA.^[3]
• The average annual premium for teenage car insurance coverage is $5,340 for males and $4,738 for females. Sixteen-year-olds pay almost $8,000 annually for coverage.
• AAA indicates that gas prices continue to hover over or around $4 per gallon.^[4]

Collectively, these expenses can tally thousands every year and, over the time your young driver lives under your roof, reach the five-figure range. Auto insurance often accounts for the highest of these costs.

“Car insurance is all about risk, regardless of age. Statistically, teens are far more likely to be involved in an accident or file a claim than any other age group, and most of it comes down to inexperience,” says Beth Swanson, insurance analyst with The Zebra. 

At the same time, “the overall cost of vehicles, repairs, and fuel has increased, so families face a combination of higher total expenses. Many households underestimate the total cost because they focus on the car purchase but not the full cost of ownership,” Janet Ruiz, director of Strategic Communications for the Insurance Information Institute, notes.^[5]

Driving in High School vs. College

The related costs of giving your offspring the green light to drive can differ depending on their age and school status. But the fact is, the younger your driver is, the more expensive insurance premiums will be. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider if your child is still in high school or now attends college.

Viable Alternatives

Still not sure if allowing your teen to have their own car—or drive at all—is a good idea financially or otherwise? Maybe it’s time to explore other options, including:

• Share the family car. Doing so and adding an adolescent to your family's auto insurance policy is a lot cheaper than buying a separate car and a standalone policy. Just be sure to set clear rules and scheduling parameters.
• Purchase a lower-cost vehicle. Buying a reliable and recommended used ride, such as a certified pre-owned vehicle, can cost much less than a new car and mitigate losses from depreciation.
• Enroll in usage-based insurance. Pay-as-you-go insurance coverage, which requires using a smartphone app or telematics device, calculates your rate based on your teen’s actual driving habits and could lower your premiums.
• Delay licensure. “Families can postpone getting a driver’s license and use interim options to lower near-term costs,” Ruiz suggests.
• Carpool. Sharing rides with other families reduces costs and driving exposure.
• Use public transportation. Riding buses and trains may be ideal options for students residing in densely populated environments.
• Use bikes or scooters. An e-bike that your child can securely lock up makes it quick and easy to get from A to B (depending on your neighborhood).

Good Candidates for Teen Car Ownership

Ask Ruiz, and she’ll tell you that the worthiest prospects for giving a teen their own car are families in rural areas, those without access to public transportation, or situations where an adolescent relies on a vehicle for work or essential activities.

“In these cases, the decision is driven by need rather than convenience, and families should weigh the benefits against the long-term costs,” she says. 

The Bottom Line 

As much as your teen may plead with you, don’t feel pressured to say yes to driving privileges or their own vehicle. Crunch the numbers carefully, weigh their level of responsibility and maturity, shop around for more affordable insurance, and give thought to alternative means of transportation that could save you big bucks.