In decades past, getting a driver’s license was a symbolic leap toward adulthood and independence for many teenagers. But for Generation Z, this milestone holds far less appeal. New data and expert interviews reveal a dramatic decline in teens seeking the freedom of the open road, raising questions about changes in youth culture, mental health, and mobility trends with global resonance—including for Thai families navigating a rapidly evolving social landscape.
Traditionally, turning 16 and acquiring a driver’s license was an eagerly anticipated event, promising autonomy and social life. In 1983, some 50% of American 16-year-olds had their licenses. By 2022, that number had plummeted to just 25%, according to the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT), as referenced in the recent Yahoo News analysis (Yahoo News). This striking decline isn’t just a Western anomaly; it signals broader shifts in global youth behavior that Asian societies, including Thailand, are beginning to witness.
Young people cited a mix of reasons for their reluctance to get behind the wheel. Anxiety over safety and performance was frequent, as a 20-year-old from Illinois explained: “I avoided doing it. I felt like it would be unsafe or I wouldn’t be good at it.” Researchers have identified a sharp rise in anxiety among Gen Z compared to previous generations (APA report), with fears often extending to driving and public spaces. This anxiety is compounded by the financial hurdles associated with driving—driver’s education, testing, insurance, fuel, and car maintenance can total hundreds or thousands of dollars, a significant barrier as global economic challenges worsen.
Unlike previous generations who socialized in malls, parks, or friend’s houses, today’s teens and young adults often prefer digital spaces. Social media and online communities provide the connection that cars once delivered. According to interviews for the Yahoo article, one young woman explained, “We do so much online through social media. We all grew up with this sense of life, that you spend two hours scrolling by yourself.” The drastic rise in digital entertainment and networking means teens feel less compelled to leave home for face-to-face socializing—a shift intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic (UNESCO report).
The pandemic’s impact cannot be overstated. For Gen Z, key years of adolescence involved social distancing, virtual classes, and lockdowns. “We were virtual with our friends. We didn’t feel the need to go outside to hang out or go places,” said a 17-year-old interviewee. Public health measures designed to keep communities safe also normalized digital interaction and created lasting behavioral change. A survey published in the journal Children and Youth Services Review found that teens globally continued to favor digital platforms for communication even after restrictions eased (ScienceDirect).
Concerns about personal safety further compound these trends, especially among minority communities, as noted by a young Black American who delayed getting his license due to concerns about interactions with law enforcement. These anxieties are echoed internationally, where traffic safety remains a pressing issue; for example, Thailand’s high rate of road accidents has made parents and teens cautious about driving (World Health Organization Thailand Report). Parents are therefore increasingly hesitant to encourage teenage driving, especially in provinces with poor road safety records.
The financial costs of learning to drive are another major obstacle. In the US, lessons and licensing can cost upwards of $600, while in Thailand, fees for classes, documentation, and testing are seen as burdensome by working-class families (Road Safety Policy Brief, Thai Department of Land Transport). The cost barrier contributes to the rise in “passenger princesses”—teens who rely on parents, public transit, or ride-hailing apps like Grab and LINE TAXI, now ubiquitous in Bangkok and other Thai cities.
Some parents, both in the West and in Thailand, complain that persistent chauffeuring has extended their active parenting years far beyond expectations. “I feel like I’m in that stage of life where I absolutely should be a full empty nester but instead I have the equivalent of a 14- or 15-year-old, where they have expectations and demands and they want autonomy … but they literally require us to get them there,” one parent lamented in the Yahoo interview.
Social scientists and educators see these changing transportation norms as reflective of larger shifts in youth values. Access to digital entertainment, online shopping, and delivery services, including food and retail, means the “need to go out” has diminished. What’s more, in urban centers like Bangkok, improved public transportation networks—BTS Skytrain, MRT, Airport Rail Link—and widespread e-hailing are making private vehicle ownership less essential (see Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, Bangkok Post coverage on Grab expansion).
Internationally, analysts foresee possible environmental benefits from these trends. Fewer teens driving could mean lower emissions and less traffic congestion, aligning with global climate goals and national commitments to shrinking Thailand’s carbon footprint (Climate Action Tracker: Thailand). Urban planners and policymakers are taking note: the rise of car-free youth may accelerate investment in safer, more accessible public transit and pedestrian infrastructure—positive developments in a country historically plagued by high private vehicle usage and road accident fatalities (WHO Road Safety Report).
Yet some cultural observers worry about the loss of independence and practical skills that driving traditionally conferred. “Pre-phones, if we wanted to escape, we had to physically escape. We got into cars and drove,” explained another parent in the story. With the smartphone now an all-purpose gateway—offering entertainment, connection, shopping, and even romantic encounters without leaving home—the symbolic role of the driver’s license is slipping away.
For Thai society, these global trends pose both challenges and opportunities. In a country where road fatalities remain among the highest in the world, reduced youth driving may bring measurable health and safety benefits (Royal Thai Police Annual Report). However, for rural communities and provinces lacking robust mass transit, the inability or disinterest in driving could mean increased dependency or social isolation—especially for adolescents in non-urban areas.
A nuanced analysis suggests that instead of simply lamenting the decline of teen drivers, families and educators might focus on broader life skills and digital literacy, preparing young people to safely and meaningfully navigate both virtual and physical spaces. Meanwhile, policymakers should further improve public transit options (such as route expansion in provincial towns) and increase accessibility of driver’s education, perhaps subsidizing costs for low-income families.
Looking ahead, it’s likely that the “car culture” so central to 20th-century youth experience will continue to wane among Gen Z and subsequent generations worldwide. Innovations in urban mobility, gig economy work, and virtual reality social spaces will likely further diminish the allure or necessity of driving, especially in Thai cities. But in rural areas, gaps in infrastructure may make driving skill an enduring, if less glamorous, rite of passage.
For Thai families, the big lesson is to adapt to these generational shifts without nostalgia clouding judgment. Whether or not teens chase the freedom of driving, helping them gain both digital and real-world independence should be the priority. Parents and educators are encouraged to engage young people about mobility choices, mental health, financial planning, and the responsible use of both digital tools and public spaces.
To support healthy independence, Thai education policymakers could consider new curricula addressing digital literacy, life skills, and transportation safety. Recognizing that online socializing is not “less real” than in-person interaction—and that new lifestyles demand new forms of support—will help ensure Thai youth achieve both safety and fulfillment amid rapid global change.
For readers and parents, the call to action is clear: Start conversations at home and in communities about transport options; advocate for improved, safer public transit; support youth mental health; and respect that the roads to autonomy in the 21st century may look different, but the destination—confident, capable young adults—remains unchanged.
Sources:
- Yahoo News: Teens used to chase the freedom of driving. Gen Z isn’t interested.
- US Department of Transportation Driver’s License Statistics
- APA Monitor: Gen Z Anxiety
- Children and Youth Services Review
- UNESCO COVID-19 Education Response
- World Health Organization Thailand: Road Safety
- Thai Department of Land Transport
- Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
- Bangkok Post: Grab doubles down on ride-hailing in Thailand
- Climate Action Tracker: Thailand
- Royal Thai Police Annual Report
- WHO Road Safety Report