USA: Today’s Teens Are in No Rush to Start Driving

The percentage of 18-year-olds with a driving license has decreased from 80% in 1983 to 61% as of 2018.

According to the latest data collected from the Federal Highway Administration, today's teenagers are in no hurry to start driving.

The data shows that in the US, the percentage of 18-year-olds with a driving license has decreased from 80% in 1983 to 61% as of 2018. Similarly, the number of 16-year-olds with a valid driver's license has also reduced from 46% to just 25% during the same period.

Reports suggest that the trend which was initially started by millennials has been amplified by Gen-Z. Today's teenagers are citing a number of reasons to avoid getting a driver's license. These include environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives, finding driving 'too stressful' while some just don't care about cars.

Teenagers today do not feel the need to procure a proper driving license. Instead, they are content on using public transportation or relying on friends with cars. A report by J.D Power also found that millennials accounted for 32% of the total new car sales in 2020, which is higher than any other age group, including Gen-Z.

This has also led to a conundrum for automakers, who are mostly aiming at younger customers. Having said that, automakers are addressing this by adding more technology and connected features, to attract younger customers.

Reports stated that a generation raised on technology will likely be interested in cars that offer connectivity and all the latest features.

Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports, stated that today's teen drivers want a big screen. Rushbrook further stated that teens want vehicles to be an extension of their phones, allowing them to be connected at all times.

However, Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, feels that there are still those who care more about good-looking and fun-to-drive cars than just connected tech.

Source: Insurance Journal