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When is a car loan officially finalized?

I'm in the market for a car, but I want to get behind the wheel as soon as possible. How long does it take to finalize a car loan?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Finalizing a
car loan
 could mean one of several things. Some might define “finalizing” as when you close on the loan, while others think it’s when you pay it off.
It seems like you’re talking about how long it takes from car loan approval to getting behind the wheel. You can expect to wait between a few days and a few weeks for this process to finish.
To streamline the process, you should shop around for low loan rates and get all the proper paperwork together upfront. Documents to have handy include:
  • Proof of income
  • Proof of residency
  • Information on the vehicle you want to buy
  • Proof of insurance
Once you have all of this together, schedule a meeting with a lender to get the loan started—but don’t rush and forget to
properly review your loan contract
 before signing.
When it comes to getting
proof of insurance
, take the time to find the best rates for your coverage level. Use the
Jerry
 app to compare quotes from over 50 of the nation’s top insurers.
MORE:
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