Are Generation Z Less Car-Centric Than Millennials? A Nationwide Analysis Through the Lens of Youth Licensing

Abstract

Are young Americans becoming less car-centric? The National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) data reveals a noticeable decline in the rate of driver's license acquisition among teens aged 16–20 years, with 65.4 % holding a driver's license in 2017. The percentage is 8.3 % and 8.1 % lower than in 2001 and 2009, respectively. This research compares the differences in driver's license acquisition between Millennials (teens in 2009) and their succeeding generation – Generation Z (teens in 2017) during late adolescence. It also investigates the factors that influence a teen's decision to hold a driver's license. Findings suggest that the dropped licensing rates between the two survey years can be partially explained by a generational shift in attitudes and cultural changes. Some traits of Generation Z, such as making more educational trips and growing up in a digital world, may significantly influence their decisions about obtaining a driver's license. To further explore whether Generation Z will drive less than Millennials once getting a driver's license, a multivariate analysis is conducted on licensed teens in 2009 and 2017, focusing on their driving distances on the survey day. Notably, this study does not find a significant difference between teens aged 18–20 years from the two generations. This research draws implications for planners, practitioners, and policymakers to proactively respond to the possible consequences of changing American car culture.