The share of 16-year-olds that held driver licenses in 2016 was 26.2%, down from 44.0% in 1990. Each of the ages from 16 to 19 years old declined in the share of licensed drivers but the greatest decline in licensure between 1990 and 2016 were 17-year-olds, going from 63.5% to 46.9%. Those who were 19 years old had the highest share of licenses (80%) and had the smallest decline from 1990.
Sources: Licensed drivers – U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics 2016, Table DL-220.
Population – U.S. Bureau of the Census, National Population by Characteristics: 2010-2017.
Older population data from the Statistical Abstract of the United States.
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