LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Getting a full driver’s license is often a rite-of-passage for many Kentuckians. But some have decided to hit the brakes on that.
Some people in Generation “Z” aren’t in a rush to get behind the wheel.
The Pew Research Center defines Generation Z as anyone born from 1997 to 2012, although they say no chronological end-point has been set for this group.
Some people in this generation have decided to wait to get their full driver’s license.
Nia Duncan is a freshman at the University of Louisville. She is a criminal justice major and one day wants to be either a criminal lawyer or a civil rights lawyer. She recently turned 19, and does not yet have her full license.
“I know too many friends who have licenses, then my mom, she can take me wherever,” Duncan explained. “I would get a license, but I’m not really in a rush.”
Duncan is working on getting a car, but she said all of the costs that usually come after a full license are a big speed bump right now.
“I’d have to find a car that is within my limits. Then, I’d have to get insurance for the car.” Duncan said. “I have to buy all the cute little stuff that I want to put in the car and then I have to maintain the car.”
She’s not alone. Jax Hill is also a freshman here at UofL. He’s 18 and is changing his major to computer and information systems. He has his intermediate license, but not his full driver’s license.
“It’s a hassle. It’s just difficult, because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get an appointment. To even get my intermediate license, that took three months of trying to schedule appointments to get,” Hill said.
The website Green Car Congress analyzed Federal Highway Administration data. The data shows that in 1983, 46.2% of 16-year-olds had a driver’s license. By 2020, that percentage dropped to 25.1%.
Data provided to us by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet shows that in 2013, 17,842 Kentucky 16-year-olds got an intermediate driver’s license. In 2018, that number was 23,603. So far in 2023, that number dropped to 5,785.
Perry Jacobs has owned the ABC Driving School for 17 years, with 15 of those years spent teaching students how to drive. He has noticed people choosing to wait.
“I think it’s that they’re a little bit older than they were previously. It’s not as many that run out on their birthday, their 16th birthday, to get their permit and then want to take their road test on exactly six months later, on their first eligibility date. It’s more of a slower process for people now. They start later and finish later,” Jacobs explained.
Richard Epley has owned Kentucky Driving School for 40 years. He says learning depends on the person.
“Because we run across some young kids that really don’t want to drive. I think sometimes the parents want them too, so they won’t have to maybe take them different places and so on,” Epley shared.
Another reason some Gen Z-ers choose to wait is anxiety.
“To the parents, I say get them some professional training to get them started to reduce some of their anxiety which will make their job easier when they’re giving their child the hours of experience, they’re going to need to be good drivers,” Jacobs explained.
Good drivers like Duncan plans to be at some point.
“I don’t really need a license right now. I’ll probably get one before the summer,” Duncan said.
A spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet told us drivers obtaining their permit at 16 or 17 must complete a Graduated Driver Licensing program to help them be safer, more confident drivers. You can find more information on the KYTC website.