Today’s teens seem to not want to drive.
Nearly 40 percent of teens delayed getting their license by two years, and 30 percent delayed by more than two years. A 2020 study led by Dr. Federico Vaca, professor and executive vice chair of the department of emergency medicine at the University of California Irvine Medical School, says that this trend continued over the last 20 years.
"It may seem mind-boggling to adults who have been driving for decades that anyone would delay such a milestone, but it makes sense given the economic and mental health concerns surrounding teens" Vaca said.
With the rideshare apps, more teens get where they need to go, without a car of their own. They’re also busy with extra activities they think they need to get into college, and teens socialize a lot online, which means they don’t leave home to hang out. Economics also plays a part.
“When we have an economic downturn, things kind of tighten up. People drive less. They travel in cars less,” Vaca added.
It's a new world and with the price of even used cars going up kids find less reasons to need that drivers license we all used to crave when we were young.