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Timing of Driver’s License

Acquisition and Reasons


for Delay among Young
People in the U.S., 2012
Background – GDL
• GDL benefits the age groups it
applies to:
20 – 40% reduction in
crashes of 16-year-olds

6 – 19% reduction in
crashes of 17-year-olds

• GDL generally does not


apply to ages 18+
Background – Teen Licensing

• No reliable data on
young driver licensing
− Current proportion
licensed?
− Historical trends?

• Perception that young people are delaying


getting their license
The (Potential) Problem
• If teens are delaying licensure, they may not be
covered by GDL’s protective influence

• Effects of GDL on 18- to 20-year-olds not entirely


clear
− Some studies suggest GDL might increase crash rates of
older teens

• How many older (18+) novice drivers are there?


− Are they waiting until 18 to get licensed because of GDL?
New Study
Released August 2013

Available at
www.AAAFoundation.org
Study Objectives
• Determine proportion licensed
− Within one year of state minimum age
− Before turning 18
• Examine factors associated with licensure timing
• Investigate possible reasons for delay
− GDL makes it difficult or undesirable?
− Costs?
− Lack of perceived need/interest?
− Other factors?
Methods
• Nationally-representative survey
− 1,039 18- to 20-year-olds

• Questionnaire covered:
− Current license status
− Age at licensure, permit
− Reasons for delay
• 19 items: Very important reason
Somewhat important reason
Minor reason
Not a reason
Licensure Status at Time of Survey
Revoked/Suspended/
Expired, 1%

No
license/permit
17%

Permit, 12%
Licensed,
70%
Timing of Licensure

54%
44%

w/in 1 yr Before 18
Factors Associated with
Getting License Before 18th Birthday
Household Income
< $20K/year: 25% licensed before 18
> $100K/year: 79%

Race/ethnicity
Non-Hispanic white: 67% licensed by 18
Non-Hispanic black: 37%
Hispanic: 29%
Self-Reported Reasons for Delay
(Among Those Not Licensed by 18)
• 44% - No car
• 39% - Could get around without driving
• 36% - Gas too expensive
• 35% - Just didn’t get around to it
• 30% - Nervous about driving
• 29% - Just not interested
• 28% - Had to complete driver education first
• 25% - Parents too busy
• 21% - Respondent too busy
• 17% - Could connect with friends online
Delaying Licensure for the Purpose of
Avoiding GDL?
• 23% - special requirements for young drivers
made it hard to get a license

• 21% - didn’t want a license with special


restrictions for young drivers

• 19% - to avoid having to take driver education


Delaying Licensure for the Purpose of
Avoiding GDL?

Of respondents not licensed by 18th birthday,


68% still not licensed by 19th birthday (when
GDL restrictions would have been lifted in
most states)
Conclusions & Implications

• Most don’t get licensed right away


• Most cite cost, lack of opportunity/interest;
few cite desire to avoid GDL
Conclusions & Implications
• Even though GDL
isn’t the reason for
delay, many teens
are likely not
protected by it
because of the
delay
• Time to investigate new ways to build on GDL’s
commendable successes!
For more information, go to:
AAAFoundation.org
Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation
for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit,
publicly-supported charitable organization. The
Foundation’s mission is to prevent crashes and
save lives through research and education.

The Foundation is supported by donations from


AAA/CAA Clubs, AAA/CAA members, and other
organizations and individuals.

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