Gen Z & Teen Driving Statistics: 2026 Licensing Trends & Young Driver Survey

By the Mercury Team

If you compare today to the 1980s, when the parents of many Gen Zs were first getting behind the wheel, the number of young people on the road has most definitely decreased.

At first glance, it seems like an obvious continuation of a decades-long trend fueled by rideshares, food delivery apps, remote work, and online shopping.

But our analysis indicates that’s not the story.

In fact, licensing data suggest that despite having more alternatives to driving than any previous generation, young adults today are just as likely—if not slightly more likely—to hold a driver’s license than they were just a decade ago.

Instead of abandoning driving, Gen Z appears to be redefining its relationship with it: getting licensed later, driving less often, but still viewing a driver’s license as an important milestone toward independence.

To better understand how driving habits are evolving, Mercury Insurance analyzed federal driving data over ten years and surveyed 840 Americans ages 18-29 (Gen Z adults) in June 2026.

Teen & Gen Z Driving and License Statistics

Key Findings

• 71% of Gen Z adults say having a driver’s license is an important part of being an independent adult.
• 76% of unlicensed Gen Z adults say they still plan to get licensed in the future.
• 56% of Gen Z adults who delayed getting licensed say they did so because they felt nervous or uncomfortable driving—the most commonly cited reason.
• 70% of Gen Z adults say technology has reduced how often they need to drive, yet licensing rates among young adults have increased over the past decade.
• 52% of Gen Z adults say online shopping is the biggest factor reducing how often they drive, followed by remote or hybrid work (48%).
• 57% of Gen Z adults say they feel more comfortable driving than relying on public transit, walking, or other alternatives.
• More Gen Z adults prefer being a passenger (45%) than the driver (32%).
• 52% of Gen Z adults believe a driver’s license is more important today than it was 20 years ago.

Teen Licensing Trends

• Overall, 16-year-olds have experienced the steepest decline in licensing rates since the 1980s (46% vs. 26%)—a drop of more than 40%.
• However, within the last decade, 16-year-olds experienced an 8% increase in licensure—the largest increase among all teen age groups.
• Today, 44% of 17-year-olds and 60% of 18-year-olds have a driver’s license, though both remain below 1980s levels.
• In 2024, there were 8,933,212 licensed drivers ages 16–19 in the United States.
• Minnesota has the nation’s highest share of licensed teen drivers, with 92% of residents ages 16–19 holding a driver’s license.
• Kentucky has the nation’s lowest share of licensed teen drivers, with just 16% of teens ages 16–19 licensed.
• New Mexico recorded the largest increase in licensed teen drivers between 2014 and 2024 (+117%), while Kentucky experienced the largest decline (-57%).

States With the Highest and Lowest Shares of Licensed Teen Drivers (Ages 16–19)

In 2024, 57% of Americans ages 16–19 held a driver’s license, with licensing rates nearly identical between males (58%) and females (56%).

Where teens live, however, can make a significant difference.

Minnesota had the nation’s highest share of licensed teen drivers, with 92% of residents ages 16–19 holding a driver’s license. Iowa and South Dakota followed closely behind at 90%, while Arkansas (88%) and Delaware (85%) rounded out the top five.

At the other end of the rankings, Kentucky had the nation’s lowest share of licensed teen drivers, with just 16% of teens ages 16–19 holding a license. Maryland ranked second lowest at 38%, followed by North Carolina and California (43%) and New York (44%).

Differences in licensing laws, access to driver’s education, transportation options, and local driving culture may all contribute to these state-by-state variations.

Rank	Highest Share of Licensed Teens	% of State’s 16-19 Population with a Driver’s License	Lowest Share of Licensed Teens	% of State’s 16-19 Population with a Driver’s License
1	Minnesota	92%	Kentucky	16%
2	Iowa	90%	Maryland	38%
3	South Dakota	90%	North Carolina	43%
4	Arkansas	88%	California	43%
5	Delaware	85%	New York	44%

States With the Largest Increase and Decrease in Teen Drivers Since 2014 (Ages 16-19)

Many states have actually seen teen licensure rebound in the last ten years rather than continue to decline nationwide.

New Mexico experienced the largest increase in licensed teen drivers between 2014 and 2024, with the number of licensed drivers ages 16–19 rising 117%. Arkansas and Utah tied for the second-largest increase at 52%, followed by Minnesota (+39%) and New York (+29%).

Not every state followed that trend. Kentucky experienced the largest decline in licensed teen drivers over the same period (-57%), while Kansas and Oklahoma each declined 18%. New Hampshire (-17%) and Mississippi (-15%) also posted notable decreases.

Interestingly, Minnesota appears in both rankings, recording one of the largest increases over the past decade while also maintaining the nation’s highest teen licensing rate. Kentucky tells the opposite story, with both the largest decline and the nation’s lowest share of licensed teens.

Rank	Largest Increases	% Change	Largest Decreases	% Change
1	New Mexico	+117%	Kentucky	-57%
2	Arkansas	+52%	Kansas	-18%
3	Utah	+52%	Oklahoma	-18%
4	Minnesota	+39%	New Hampshire	-17%
5	New York	+29%	Mississippi	-15%

State licensing requirements, transportation options, and local driving culture may all play a role. Teens and parents can review teen driving laws by state to better understand the rules where they live.

Are Teens Driving Less?

Compared to four or five decades ago, today’s teens are far less likely to have a driver’s license.

In 1983, 80% of 18-year-olds were licensed drivers. Today, that figure stands at 60%—a 25% decline over four decades.

The trend is even more pronounced among younger teens: The share of licensed 16-year-olds has fallen from 46% in 1983 to 26% today, representing the largest long-term decline of any teen age group.

However, the last decade tells a different story.

While teen licensing rates remain well below their 1980s highs, they have largely stabilized since 2014. The share of licensed 16-year-olds has increased from 24% to 26%, while licensing rates among 17- and 18-year-olds have remained relatively steady.

This suggests that although today’s teens are reaching the driver’s seat later than previous generations, they’re not continuing a decades-long slide away from driving.

Even as rideshares, online shopping, food delivery apps, and post-pandemic lifestyle changes have reduced the need for many everyday trips, the share of teens becoming licensed has remained remarkably consistent over the past decade.

Together with our survey findings, the data points to a broader shift: today’s young people aren’t rejecting driving, they’re approaching it differently. Many are waiting longer to get licensed, often because they feel nervous or uncomfortable behind the wheel, while still viewing a driver’s license as an important milestone toward independence.

Age	1983	2014	2024	Change (1983-2024)	Change (2014-2024)
16	46%	24%	26%	-43%	+8%
17	69%	43%	44%	-36%	+2%
18	80%	59%	60%	-25%	+2%

Are 20-Somethings Driving Less?

While today’s young adults are slightly less likely to hold a driver’s license than their counterparts in the 1980s, rates have been surprisingly resilient: Licensure among 20-somethings has declined by less than 5% over the past 50 years.

However, the trend over the last decade points in the opposite direction.

In the midst of 2014’s millennial optimism, twee, and Tumblr era, remote job opportunities were slim, and bike-share programs were still in their infancy. Fast-forward to today, and young adults have access to rideshares, food delivery apps, online shopping, and remote work at a scale that would have seemed unimaginable a decade ago.

Yet licensing rates have increased across every age group from 20 to 29 since 2014, climbing 4%, suggesting that while technology may be changing how often young adults drive, it isn’t changing whether they ultimately choose to get licensed.

Many may drive less frequently than previous generations, but they still value the flexibility, independence, and opportunities that come with being licensed.

Age	1983	2014	2024	Change (1983-2024)	Change (2014-2024)
20-24	86%	77%	81%	-5%	+4%
25-29	91%	85%	89%	-2%	+4%

Survey: Gen Z Driving Habits and Attitudes

Mercury’s June 2026 survey of Gen Z adults (18–29) provides more context for why licensing rates among young adults have remained resilient despite a world that seemingly offers fewer reasons to drive.

The findings suggest that technology isn’t the primary force delaying licensure. Instead, many young adults are waiting longer because of factors like driving anxiety, lifestyle changes, and cost.

Together, the data paints a consistent picture: Technology is reshaping how Gen Z drives, but not whether they choose to become drivers.

Key Finding: Driving still matters to Gen Z

While young people may be waiting longer to get licensed than their parents, they continue to view driving as an important source of independence, convenience, and mobility:

• 59% say driving is essential to their daily lives.
• 54% say they would struggle to maintain their current lifestyle without access to a vehicle.
• 60% obtained their license within one year of eligibility, including 40% who got licensed within the first six months.
• Almost one-quarter (22%) waited more than a year after becoming eligible to obtain their driver’s license.
• 71% say having a driver’s license is an important part of being an independent adult.
• 76% of unlicensed Gen Zers still plan to get one in the future.

Key Finding: Driving anxiety is the biggest reason many Gen Zers delay getting licensed

While cost is often assumed to be the biggest barrier to getting licensed, our survey suggests confidence may play an even larger role.

Among Gen Z adults who delayed getting their driver’s license, feeling nervous or uncomfortable behind the wheel was the most commonly cited reason, suggesting that today’s licensing journey is shaped by more than convenience or cost alone.

Among respondents who delayed getting their driver’s license:

• 56% said they felt nervous or uncomfortable driving, making it the most common reason.
• 36% cited the cost of driving or owning a vehicle, including expenses such as vehicle costs, gas, and insurance.
• 35% said they could depend on friends or family for rides, making a driver’s license feel less necessary.
• 35% said other priorities, such as school or work, outweighed the need to get licensed.
• 28% said access to public transit, rideshares, walking, or other transportation options reduced their need to drive.
• 22% said they simply didn’t feel they needed a driver’s license.
• 19% cited limited access to driver’s education, testing centers, or licensing services.

For many young Americans, getting a driver’s license isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about building confidence behind the wheel. New drivers and parents looking for practical advice can explore our teen driving safety tips.

Key Finding: Technology and evolving transportation are changing how Gen Z drives—not whether they get licensed

Technology has undoubtedly reduced the need for many everyday trips, but it hasn’t replaced the value of having a driver’s license for Gen Z.

While Gen Z adults report driving less often due to online shopping, remote work, and other digital conveniences, most still view getting licensed as an important milestone and continue to pursue it.

And instead of ditching driving, Gen Z is rewriting the rules around it: using a driver’s license less frequently for daily errands, but still valuing the independence and flexibility it provides.

• 70% say technology has reduced how often they need to drive, with online shopping (52%) and remote or hybrid work (48%) being the biggest reasons they drive less frequently.
• 57% say they feel more comfortable driving than relying on public transit, rideshares, biking, walking, or other alternatives.
• 60% say they would drive less if reliable transportation alternatives existed where they live, while 34% say they would drive the same amount.
• 52% believe a driver’s license is more important today than it was 20 years ago, while 23% believe it is less important.

This helps explain why licensing rates among young adults have remained steady—or even increased—despite having more transportation alternatives than any previous generation.

Key Finding: More Gen Zers choose the passenger seat over the wheel

While driving remains important, many young Americans appear less attached to being the person behind the wheel. The findings suggest that access to transportation matters more than who is doing the driving.

• 45% prefer being a passenger, compared to 32% who prefer being the driver, and an additional share have no preference between the two.
• The primary reasons for passenger preference are to relax (56%) and to be able to use their phone (34%).

Methodology

Mercury Insurance analyzed driver licensing data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to examine trends in teen and young adult licensure across the United States. Data was analyzed by state, age, and sex for the years 2014 through 2024. Historical licensing rates for 1983 were sourced from the 2011 study Recent Changes in the Age Composition of U.S. Drivers: Implications for the Extent, Safety, and Environmental Consequences of Personal Transportation.

To calculate state-level licensing rates from 2014 to 2024, the number of licensed drivers reported by the FHWA was compared to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). For this study, teen drivers were defined as individuals ages 16-19, while young adults were defined as those ages 20-29.

State-level increases and decreases in teen licensure were calculated by measuring the percentage change in the number of licensed drivers ages 16-19 between 2014 and 2024.

Mercury Insurance also surveyed 840 U.S. adults ages 18-29 in June 2026. Survey responses were weighted by age and gender to align with U.S. Census benchmarks.

Differences in graduated driver licensing laws, minimum licensing ages, and transportation availability may influence licensing rates across states.

Affordable Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

While many Gen Z drivers are getting licensed later than previous generations, the data shows they still view driving as an important milestone toward independence. As they take that next step, having the right auto insurance becomes an important part of the journey.

Getting licensed is also the beginning of building experience behind the wheel and establishing a driving history. Whether you’re a first-time driver or a parent helping a teen prepare for the road ahead, understanding your coverage options is an important part of driving with confidence.

From educational resources and safe driving tips to customizable, affordable auto insurance options, Mercury provides the tools and protection young drivers need as they begin building experience, confidence, and independence on the road.

Teen & Gen Z Driving Statistics FAQ

What percentage of teens have a driver's license?

As of 2024, 57% of Americans ages 16–19 hold a driver’s license. Licensing rates increase with age, with 26% of 16-year-olds, 44% of 17-year-olds, and 60% of 18-year-olds holding licenses.

Are teens driving less than previous generations?

Yes and no. Compared to the 1980s, today's teens are significantly less likely to have a driver’s license. For example, 46% of 16-year-olds were licensed drivers in 1983 compared to 26% today. However, the long-term decline has largely leveled off. Since 2014, the number of licensed teen drivers has actually increased by roughly 500,000 nationwide, and licensing rates among teens have remained relatively stable despite the rise of rideshares, food delivery apps, online shopping, remote work, and other technological changes.

Are Gen Z adults getting driver's licenses?

Yes. While Gen Z adults may be getting licensed later than previous generations, most are still obtaining driver’s licenses. In fact, licensing rates have increased across every age group from 20 to 29 since 2014. Today, roughly 81% of Americans ages 20–24 and 89% of those ages 25–29 hold a driver’s license.

Is Gen Z abandoning driving?

No. Despite having more transportation alternatives than any previous generation, the data suggests Gen Z is delaying driving rather than abandoning it. More than seven in 10 Gen Z adults say having a driver’s license is an important part of being an independent adult, and 76% of unlicensed Gen Z adults say they still plan to get licensed in the future.

Why are young people waiting longer to get their driver's license?

The most commonly cited reason for delaying licensure is feeling nervous or uncomfortable driving (56%). Other common reasons include the cost of owning and operating a vehicle (36%), relying on friends or family for transportation (35%), and prioritizing school or work over driving (35%).

Does technology reduce how much Gen Z drives?

For many young adults, yes. Seventy percent of Gen Z adults say technology has reduced how often they need to drive. Online shopping is the biggest factor, with 52% saying it has reduced their driving frequency, followed by remote or hybrid work and school (48%).

Has technology replaced the need for a driver's license?

Not quite. While technology has reduced how often many young adults drive, licensing rates among young adults have remained steady or increased over the past decade. The findings suggest technology may be changing how often young Americans drive, but not whether they ultimately choose to get a driver’s license.

Is a driver's license still important to Gen Z?

Yes. Seventy-one percent of Gen Z adults say having a driver’s license is an important part of being an independent adult, while 59% say driving is essential to their daily lives. Additionally, 52% believe a driver’s license is more important today than it was 20 years ago.

Why does it seem like fewer young people are driving today?

The biggest change appears to be timing rather than participation. Compared to previous generations, many young Americans are waiting longer to get licensed due to factors such as driving anxiety, vehicle costs, transportation alternatives, and competing priorities. However, most still obtain a license eventually, helping explain why licensing rates among adults in their twenties have remained remarkably resilient over time.

Which states have the highest share of licensed teen drivers?

Minnesota has the highest share of licensed teen drivers, with 92% of teens ages 16–19 holding a driver’s license. Iowa and South Dakota follow closely behind at 90%.

Which states have the lowest share of licensed teen drivers?

Kentucky has the lowest share of licensed teen drivers, with just 16% of teens ages 16–19 holding a driver’s license. Maryland, North Carolina, California, and New York also rank among the states with the lowest shares of licensed teens.