This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
When I was 16 and the time to get my license was closely approaching, I couldn’t wait to get in the driver’s seat. I was lucky enough to have parents who bought me my first car, and all I wanted to do was exercise my new level of freedom. I also remember that all my friends were equally excited to reach this pivotal milestone. However, it seems that many individuals who are a part of my generation, Gen Z, don’t exhibit the same level of enthusiasm. The rate of Gen Z drivers on the road has decreased significantly compared to previous generations. When I first learned about this trend, it took me by surprise. When I was in high school driving was all anyone could talk about. But it appears times have changed as many members of Gen Z are not driving.
The Data
There simply is not the same level of interest in driving among members of Gen Z. Business Insider claims that various polls and studies indicate that Gen Z is less inclined to drive, obtain a license, or own a vehicle. According to a 2024 report from Newsweek, back in 1997, 43 percent of 16-year-olds and 62 percent of 17-year-olds had obtained their licenses. Conversely, by 2020 those percentages fell to 25 percent and 45 percent respectively according to data obtained from the US Federal Highway Administration.
The further back you comb through the data, the trend appears even stronger. In a separate article published by USA Today, the rate of teenagers obtaining their licenses was examined beginning with the 1980s. Data from the Department of Transportation revealed that in 1983, 80 percent of 18-year-olds had a license, but by 2022 that rate had dropped to 60 percent. In 2022, out of 21.4 million individuals between the ages of 15 and 19, only 40 percent had a driver’s license. Whereas in 2000, 48 percent of the same age cohort did.
The statistics reported provide a clear picture. However, I was still in a bit of disbelief that this phenomenon is so widespread. I resorted to asking my girlfriend, who is also a member of Gen Z, what she thought. Much to my surprise, her observations backed up the data. Not only has she opted to not get her license, but many of her coworkers don’t drive either. She claims that as many as eight of her coworkers, between the ages of 18 and 35, do not drive to work. Furthermore, many of these people we talked about don’t use public transportation either. She said that most of her coworkers use ride-share apps like Lyft or Uber. Very few relied on friends or family, and even less on public transit.
So Why Is Gen Z Not Driving?
Now that it has been established that Gen Z is not driving as much as earlier generations, it’s worth exploring why. The Week hypothesizes that the main culprits are the danger of motor vehicles, the cost of owning and operating them, increased walkability of major cities and suburbs, and concerns over climate change. For some young people, it may be all those reasons. But for others, it may be just one. When I asked my girlfriend why she never got her license, she offered a different rationale. The main motivation she cited was anxiety. We live in the DC area, and I will be the first to admit traffic is often terrible. Even a short drive can be filled with frustration. Other drivers are often aggressive and dangerous. She was less scared of the danger and more worried about the stress it would bring her.
Economics
One of the most common answers I read regarding the increase in Gen Z not driving was economic circumstances. Newsweek discussed how inflation has led to a 30 percent increase in the sale price of new cars, while used car prices soared even higher. Additionally, increased interest rates on loans exacerbate the situation. It’s no secret that younger generations are struggling more and more financially. If you opted to not get a license in high school and you graduate college with debt, it’s easy to see why someone wouldn’t want to add to their financial constraints. Even if individuals did get their license at 16, that doesn’t mean they could purchase a car. Plus, it’s not just about the price of the car itself. The cost of maintaining a car, paying for gas, as well as insurance all add to the burden.
Ride Share And The Internet
A second common explanation is increased reliance on ride-share apps. Uber and Lyft are now widely available. Though they can be expensive if you use them regularly, it may make more economic sense for some people than investing in a car. USA Today also reports that Gen Z not driving could also be a consequence of the internet. It’s easier than ever to connect with people. You don’t need to leave the house anymore to have social interactions. This was already a growing trend among young people who frequent social media. However, the pandemic pushed a heavier reliance on the interest to connect, likely accelerating this trend. If there are easier options to get where you need to go, or you don’t have as many places to be then why get a license and a car?
Mental Health
Driving anxiety and increased mental health issues are another proposed explanation by USA Today. Teenagers and young adults belonging to Gen Z have been plagued by a mental health crisis. When you combine a higher likelihood of anxiety with dangerous driving conditions, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there is less inclination to get on the road. Furthermore, another consequence of mental health issues is a higher propensity to rely on the internet for social interaction.
Another aspect of anxiety that my girlfriend discussed with me was the embarrassment of starting the process of driving. She did get her learner’s permit in high school but never followed through. Now she would have to completely restart the process. Obtaining a license can be a huge economic commitment. It requires a lot of your time as well as the people who may be willing to teach you. Since many members of Gen Z missed out on the prime time to learn how to drive, they may feel awkward restarting the process later in life.
Climate Change, Walkability, And Public Transit
Another important factor to consider is concerns over climate change. The Week explains that Gen Z has shown more consideration over their environmental impact than previous generations. Since traditional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines are associated with carbon emissions, this could pose another barrier. However, there are also concerns over electric vehicles. They require the mining of rare earth minerals like lithium which indicate long-term sustainability issues as well. Younger people do use public transportation at higher rates, and when young adults purchase homes they are more likely to prioritize the walkability of their selected community. This growing sentiment certainly adds to the reasons why Gen Z is not driving.
It Seems There Are Many Reasons For Gen Z Not Driving
After reviewing the data and discussing what conditions underline it, it makes sense why Gen Z is not driving. I am on the older end of this generation, and while I don’t share all these concerns, I do understand them. Many young adults are struggling financially and facing issues like driving anxiety. I love cars and driving can be a lot of fun. However, I do admit that even I can get driving anxiety because the actions of other drivers on the road can certainly be stressful.
What Does This Mean For The Future?
It is worth acknowledging that this trend may not last forever. The article published by Newsweek discusses that previous generations such as millennials did take longer than their predecessors to reach the same rate of driving. But in time, they did make up the difference. Perhaps the rate of Gen Z drivers will tick back up over time. Despite the slow start of millennials, The Week confirms that in 2020, this age cohort made up the highest percentage of car buyers in the US.
The shift away from driving exhibited by Gen Z may not be a foregone conclusion. At the same time, it may indicate a growing trend of being less inclined to live in car-dependent environments. The US has always struggled with a lack of walkability and insufficient public transit. Even though there are efforts to confront those challenges in many major cities, more will need to be done if Gen Z doesn’t demonstrate a revived interest in driving.
Please share in the comments below if you share any of these concerns over driving, and if you haven’t gotten your license if you think you may want to in the future.
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