Is the culture of teenagers learning to drive dying in America?

[Anonymous]

It not just the cost of the car/insurance/etc, it's the easy availability of Uber/Lyft.

As a PP points out, in rural areas the teens will learn to drive.

[Anonymous]

I’m in Silver Spring and less than half of my kid’s friends (age 16 and 17) drive (permit or license). My kid loves to drive. In this area I also think price of driver’s ed is an impediment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel it has become pretty rare for Gen Z to learn how to drive. Insurance and the costs of owning a car has become way too high, and there are so many additional restrictions on getting a driver’s license and maintaining one if you are under 18.

Not entirely. Mine just learned/are learning later. One got their license at the end of senior year of high school. The other is a senior and it's on his to do list but now a priority. He gets around well with public transit plus mom and dad. Just not in a rush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is 17 and DS is 19 and all their friends drive. We live in Arlington.

Really? We live in Arlington too and a lot of kids at 17 still don't drive. At 19, most do but not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Silver Spring and less than half of my kid’s friends (age 16 and 17) drive (permit or license). My kid loves to drive. In this area I also think price of driver’s ed is an impediment.

Would you say it’s rare, as OP feels?

[Anonymous]

My 14year old son is super eager to drive. He can’t wait.

[Anonymous]

Complete opposite experience here! Kids are rearing to go. Excited to drive. There is even a little competition about getting your license first. I don’t think much has chance since I was a teen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in Silver Spring and less than half of my kid’s friends (age 16 and 17) drive (permit or license). My kid loves to drive. In this area I also think price of driver’s ed is an impediment.

Not in DC! No driver’s ed required!

😬

[Anonymous]

I’m in Bethesda and it seems like my DCs circle of friends all got their license on time with the exception of one kid who was about a year late. High school parking passes are coveted.

[Anonymous]

My 15 year old daughter can't wait to get her permit in a few months. She's literally counting down the days.

[Anonymous]

DS didn't have any interest in learning due to anxiety. We made it a stipulation that he needed to get his license before leaving for college (he also did therapy to address the anxiety.) He got his license at the end of his senior year of HS. DS is now 20y and doesn't like driving, but can. He rarely drives outside of a 2 mile radius of our house, but is functionally able to when the need arises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine is driving at 18, but the car doesn't belong to him or the insurance would have been nearly the car monthly payment.

I thought car insurance goes up when they get their license, regardless if they own a vehicle.

As the parent of 2 teen drivers this is correct. Their car is not in their names/belong to them, but our insurance went up $300/month when they got their licenses (twins) because they were additional licensed drivers in our house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gen Z sees no need. Can get everything they need delivered to the house. Never have to leave the basement.

Gonna be really weird in a decade or so when the “kid” in the basement starts showing up as a conveyance item on house sale contracts.

My young Gen Z kids don’t even live at home any more, but either don’t drive or rarely do so. They chose neighborhoods that are walkable or have great public transportation. We rarely provided rides in high school because I was fighting cancer. As a result, they became very resourceful about getting themselves places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel it has become pretty rare for Gen Z to learn how to drive. Insurance and the costs of owning a car has become way too high, and there are so many additional restrictions on getting a driver’s license and maintaining one if you are under 18.

Rare. Really. Do you know any teenagers?

+1. Just another DCUM dope who thinks their experiences represent the entirety of America.

[Anonymous]

Its VERY expensive and time-consuming!

I learned to drive for free in PE class. My parents did *nothing* but take me to the DMV to take the test and get a license.

Now, you have to drive with your kids for at least 40 hours. Parents have to go to a class at the school. Pay $400+ for 7 sessions of Behind the Wheel or a private driving school. Pay to park at the school. Car insurance for boys is OUTRAGEOUSLY high even if they don't have a car.