Car Leasing for Young Drivers

When you’re searching for the best car for new drivers, a lot comes down to personal preference – but a first car should be manageable, easy to drive and a vehicle that helps to build confidence. 

Popular options include models from Fiat, Vauxhall, and Kia.

Learn more in our guide: The best lease cars for new and young drivers. 

In order to lease a vehicle with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, you will need to be over 18 years old and hold a full UK driving licence. There is no upper limit on car leasing with us.

As part of the leasing process, you will need to undergo a credit check as part of the finance application. Many younger drivers will have little to no credit history which will make car leasing for new drivers tough. 

If you have no credit history, working to establish a positive credit history is important. You can do this by opening and managing a bank account, using direct debits to pay bills like mobile phone contracts, and registering to vote in the UK.

Unfortunately not. To take out a lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, you'll need a full, valid UK driving licence (and it must be in date). 

A small number of funders may consider provisional licence applications, but it's rare and handled on a case-by-case basis. 

If you're close to passing, we'd recommend you wait until you've got your full licence before applying. 

One of the biggest issues for young drivers when looking to lease a car is that they have no credit history. It can make leasing a bit more challenging, but it doesn't automatically mean you'll be declined. 

No lender uses your credit score alone to approve or decline you for finance, and many factors come into play, such as your ability to make regular payments on time and any other debts you may have.

As a first-time borrower, you can improve your chances of being accepted by: 

• Managing a bank account responsibly 
• Set up direct debts for regular bills and pay on time 
• Register on the electoral roll 

If you are unsure if you are eligible for vehicle finance, you can use our free and interactive Am I Eligible for Personal Vehicle Finance tool.

No. It's forbidden to take out a lease agreement on behalf of someone else. 

Taking finance out in someone else's name is known as accommodation finance, and even if its done with good intentions, it's not allowed by finance providers because it increases the risk if anything goes wrong during the agreement. 

If you're unsure what's allowed, it's bets to speak to our team and we'll point you in the right direction.