Getting Started

Leasing a car involves more paperwork than most people expect, and the order in which you do things affects both your price and your credit. This section walks through the process in sequence: deciding whether leasing fits your driving, getting your credit and documents ready, choosing between a dealership, a captive finance company or a lessor, shopping several dealers, signing, and finally what happens at the end of the term.

Each guide is written for U.S. consumers and refers to the federal rules that apply to consumer leases, such as the Consumer Leasing Act and the Federal Reserve's Regulation M, which require clear written disclosures. State rules on sales tax, registration and fees differ, so we point you to the right state agencies rather than quoting figures that may be out of date.

Use the pre-lease checklist in the tools section alongside these guides so that nothing is missed on the day you sit down at the desk.