Why Are Teens Opting Out of Driving?



Fifteen-year-old Mia Castellanos is like a lot of teens these days. She has zero interest in getting her driver’s license. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 25% of 16 year olds opted to get their license in 2021. Receiving your driver’s license used to be a right of passage and a key step towards independence. However, being independent looks very different to this generation of teenagers, thanks in large part to everything you need being at your fingertips.

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49 thoughts on “Why Are Teens Opting Out of Driving?”

  1. My father taught me how to drive at the age of 10 years old in case of an emergency- I recommend learning how to drive, especially if you're in the rural areas–if you live in the city and don't own a vehicle its not much of a big deal because there's reliable transportation in the city if you need to travel but those who live suburbs is more so needed to have a car.

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  2. as a teenager, here’s my answer.

    It’s because it’s terrifying dude, I don’t know how to do any of this 💀 one small accident could cause a tragic and damaging event to happen,

    i’ll still learn how to drive because I need to in order to go places, but if I had the choice, I’d rather teleport

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  3. I didn't my driver license until I was age 21. No specific age to get a license. I know a guy that's 36 years old an no license. I been driving for 9 years now it become routine. I used to be afraid to drive on highways now it doesn't bother me.

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  4. Wimps. Grow up and be mature. You parents failed if your kid doesn’t want and isn’t ready to take on responsibility. You probably still do their laundry. My 3-year old can unload the dishwasher, use a vacuum, and clean up their room.

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  5. The government wants this. Wants us so dependant on tech that we can't do anything without it. Giving them more control over us. We're like lambs to the slaughter if you will, following their messed up plan for us.

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  6. I think it’s worse because my mom wants me to get a motorcycle but the problem is she doesn’t want me to get a motorcycle until I learn how to ride a scooter like what does she want me to do?

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  7. I’m 65, I wish I didn’t have to drive. I dislike Uber or catching the bus. I understand young people wanting to drive. Having a car involves more costs and risks than you expect.
    There’s a lot of idiots out there, including drivers.

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  8. My brother is 18 and still hasnt done his theory, he isnt scared he's just lazy, my dad said he can use his car so he doesnt have to buy his own and he'll pay for insurance 😂

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  9. This really isn't the reason. Has nothing to do with being able to get Uber or get things delivered to you. It's the price of a car, insurance and gas. It's absolutely outrageous these days. People can't afford basic necessities

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  10. Im 19 years old and I STILL dont have my license OR Permit! At first it was just alot of pressure, then just a few months ago I almsot died in a car crash and now I'm triggered while on the road.
    I dont know what to do.

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  11. Responsibility is all it comes down to. Let's be real, eventually everyone will have to have minimum responsibility to be sustainable on their own. It's fine that one might not take too much risk but to move forward and upward one must be courageous to take the necessary step. A mother bird often push her youngling out of the nest so they can flap their wings and learn to flight. Without the necessary skill, young bird won't survive long without mother bird and potentially unable to find a suitable mate.

    The Good Mother Fails – Jordan Peterson.

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  12. Just depends on where u live ig, some places got a low minimum wage, doesn't encourage driving, I'm 16 and working weekends lets me pay off my car, my insurance, gas, and possible maintenance work cuz I live in dc w a 17.50 minimum wage.

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  13. For me it’s the price of gas, car insurance and the car itself, I just can’t afford to be driving myself around. It’s cheaper to just take public transit or get someone else to drive me

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  14. Who wouldn't want to get their license? Driving is so much fun and so convenient. Ride-shares cost a lot of money. And parents may be at work, enjoying their life, disabled, or on their death bed. Best part about getting a drivers license as a teen is that in most cases, your parents pay for the car expenses, insurance, maintenance, etc… You can basically drive for free instead of paying someone to drive you to places.

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  15. Got my license at the end of April and a car a month later, and I promise, if you don’t have a job and some money saved up already avoid getting a car by then

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