Teens Not Wanting Drivers License — Is this a made up trend

[Anonymous]

I have heard this from several news sources, and just last month WaPo ran a couple article about GenZ not being into getting their license.

I’ve heard it’s a more introverted online life, it’s Uber and scooters, it’s too much homework and nowhere to go with empty theaters and dying dangerous malls.

But my 15 yr DD is super keen on getting her license; as well as all her friends. Friends in NY also report their DD is ready.

Is it a boy thing? Is it perhaps a cost issue (we live in an expensive neighborhood, though we aren’t rich so DD is getting our banged up sedan if she is lucky, not a Wrangler!)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2023/02/21/teens-not-driving/

[Anonymous]

If you live in an expensive neighborhood, yes you are rich.

Yes, it's a trend. I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

All of my 17 yo son’s friends have licenses. Not having one would be restricting and embarrassing to the teens in our orbit. The boys we know love driving.

[Anonymous]

My daughters and all of their friends cannot wait to get their licenses.

[Anonymous]

My age eligible kid doesn't want one. But she has a passport.

We aren't wealthy and we don't have a family car.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps not getting a license is due to the availability of Ubers and parents paying for the Uber rides? I live in another area and out in the suburbs where grabbing an Uber isn’t so simple, so kids are anxious to drive.

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and most of my friends’ kids don’t want to drive. Some have their license for ID purposes, but they’re happy taking metro/Uber.

[Anonymous]

Kids just Uber or take metro. High school kids don't depend on cars around the DMV. College kids do.

[Anonymous]

I know one kid in his early 20s who didn’t get a license because of ADHD and anxiety. He continues to not have a license despite living in Utah now where he really needs a car to get around. Among my neighbors’ kids, they all seem to be getting licenses at the appropriate ages.

[Anonymous]

17 yo nephew in CCMD doesn't drive. Skates everywhere or ubers. No desire to ever get license. My brother's goal is to get him driving before he goes off to college in the middle of nowhere.

[Anonymous]

17 yo DD still practicing taking a long time (busy roads and highways). She’ll probably be 18 when she gets it. We are fine with it (I got mine at 16 and had an accident, we also lost quite a few 16 year old in my school days to wet rainy country roads).

[Anonymous]

Mine both got theirs primarily for ID purposes and rarely drive. They grew up in DC and go to college in areas with high walkability and excellent access to mass transit. That, combined with the occasional Uber, works for them.

[Anonymous]

My friend lives in north Arlington, right by Clarendon and court house metro . His kids don’t want to learn how to drive and a lot of their friends don’t drive. Kids are all going to expensive urban schools like NYU, BU, etc

[Anonymous]

It is the case for almost all the young people I know, including my 17 year old. I made him get a license, said it was a core life skill and once he was licensed, could choose to drive or not. But few of his friends have a license. 4 of my 5 nieces/nephews didn’t get a license until 18 or after. Half my friends kids don’t have licenses at 17+. Definitely a trend n my world.

[Anonymous]

DD is working on the 60 hours now but can be shaken. I don’t blame her - this is evidence of how poor the drivers are around here. They are overly aggressive (toxic); distracted and seem to drive like they are always late to something (ADHD). They are often rude and excessively speed - and I’d you don’t they stare like there is something wrong with you mentally. Told all my kids my regrets about choosing to live here after college. Go someplace with true civility- that doesn’t need a bumper sticker to remind them to do so.