What Happened To This Teenage Milestone?

For many years, getting your driver’s license was a rite of passage. Teenagers counted down the days until their 16th birthday, anxiously awaiting the driver’s test and fantasizing about the new freedom their license would give them.

But at some point in the last few decades, that has all changed. The rush for teenagers to get their licenses has all but disappeared. In 1983, 46% of 16-year-olds had their driver’s licenses. In 2026, that number has fallen substantially to just 26%. While the drop began while millennials were coming of age, the number hit new lows with Gen Z. By the time most people are in their early twenties, the rate of licensure rises, but teens aren’t as eager to drive as they once were.