For teenagers, obtaining a driver's license has long been viewed as a rite of passage.
But fewer teens are driving nowadays than they used to.
The percentage of 16- to 19-year-olds with a driver's license in the United States decreased from 64% in 1995 to just under 40% in 2021, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Why are today's teens hesitant to get behind the wheel?
In some states, the process to obtain a driver's license is more involved and time-intensive than it used to be. Teens also say the expense of driving and owning a car, the relative ease of using public transportation or a ride-share service, psychological factors such as fear of getting into an accident, and the simple preference of being driven instead of being the driver are all reasons to avoid getting a license.
"When I was learning with my parents, a lot of times I would end up crying because I was so stressed out," one teenager told The Washington Post. Another young adult interviewed for the same article said she considered it more ecologically-friendly to abstain from driving and owning a car.
However, each family's circumstances are unique, and some may need their teenagers to drive.
"The best states for teen drivers promote safety through easy access to driving classes, strict laws for bad behavior on the road and well-maintained roads," says WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe. "They also have residents who drive safely and obey the laws. In addition, some states minimize the costs for insurance and gas, which is a big plus when prices are inflated."
The slideshow above illustrates the best states for teen drivers in 2024, according to WalletHub.
See also: |

• The pros and cons of adding a teen driver to your auto policy
• Most affordable car insurance for new teen drivers
• 6 ways to save money on insurance for teen drivers