The baby boomer generation looks back on the day they got their driver’s license as their first taste of long-awaited freedom, one they seized as soon as they could. Today’s teens, however, are putting off this right of passage. Recent data shows that nearly 40% of teens delayed getting their driver’s license by one to two years, and 30% delayed more than two years. Between 2006 and 2015, the number of high school seniors with a driver’s license dropped from 81% to 72%. It may seem mind-boggling to adults who have been driving for decades, but it makes perfect sense to teens. There are several factors contributing to teens being reluctant to start driving, and some are practical. It used to be that only kids in cities with public transportation could easily get around town. Now, with the availability of rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, more teens can get to where they need to go without having to drive themselves. Teens also socialize online, which means they don’t need to leave home to hang out with their friends. Economics also plays a part. Parents need to spend more time working to keep the family afloat in today’s economy, and that leaves little time for driving lessons. Mental health issues are also holding kids back. Getting a driver’s license is typically the first step to independence, and that can seem scary to kids today. So, should you make your teen get a driver’s license? Mental health experts say that typically doesn’t end well. If your teen would rather utilize a rideshare than get their own driver’s license, the teen should be held responsible for paying for it. Be aware of the possibility that a delay in this milestone could be due to an untreated mental health condition and seek out resources for your teen if you think that may be the case.
