How Many Licensed Drivers Are in the U.S.?

Introduction

Driving is an essential part of everyday life in the United States. It enables people to travel to work, school, and other activities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 327 million people living in the U.S., and an estimated 90 percent own a car. With such a high number of car owners, it’s only natural to wonder how many licensed drivers are in the U.S.

How Many Licensed Drivers Are in the U.S.?

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), there were 225,054,301 licensed drivers in the United States as of 2019.

What Percentage of the U.S. Population Holds a Driver’s License?

As of 2019, about 73 percent of the U.S. population holds a driver’s license. This number includes drivers of all ages, from teenagers just learning to drive to senior citizens who have held a license for decades.

What States Have the Most Licensed Drivers?

The states with the most licensed drivers are California, Texas, and Florida. As of 2019, California had the highest number of licensed drivers with 28.7 million, followed by Texas with 18.5 million, and Florida with 15.8 million.

What States Have the Fewest Licensed Drivers?

According to data from the FHWA, the states with the fewest licensed drivers are Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming. As of 2019, Alaska had the lowest number of licensed drivers with just over 500,000, followed by Vermont with just over 600,000, and Wyoming with just over 700,000.

How Many Americans Drive without a License?

Driving without a valid license is illegal in the United States, and penalties for doing so can vary depending on the state. According to a 2017 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an estimated 8 percent of U.S. drivers do not have a valid license.

How Many Licensed Drivers Are Teenagers?

As of 2019, there were 8.6 million licensed drivers aged 16 to 19 in the United States. This age group makes up around 4 percent of all licensed drivers.

How Many Licensed Drivers Are Over the Age of 65?

According to data from the FHWA, there were 44.8 million licensed drivers aged 65 and older in the United States as of 2019. This age group makes up around 20 percent of all licensed drivers.

What’s the Gender Split of Licensed Drivers?

According to data from the FHWA, as of 2019, 53 percent of licensed drivers in the United States were male, and 47 percent were female.

How Many Licensed Drivers Have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?

As of 2019, there were 10.9 million licensed drivers in the United States who held a CDL. These drivers are authorized to operate large vehicles such as buses and tractor-trailers.

How Many Licensed Drivers are There in Canada?

According to Transport Canada data, as of 2020, there were an estimated 27.3 million licensed drivers in Canada, which has a population of just over 38 million people.

How Has the Number of Licensed Drivers Changed Over Time?

The number of licensed drivers in the United States has steadily increased over the past few decades. In 1990, there were 188 million licensed drivers in the United States, compared to 225 million in 2019.

What Factors Affect the Number of Licensed Drivers?

Several factors can affect the number of licensed drivers in the United States. These can include changes in population size, changes in laws and regulations related to driving, and shifts in demographics such as an aging population.

How Do Autonomous Vehicles Affect the Number of Licensed Drivers?

As autonomous vehicle technology develops and becomes more common, it’s possible that the number of licensed drivers in the United States could start to decline. However, it’s important to note that autonomous vehicles are still in the early stages of development and widespread adoption is several years away.

How Does the Number of Licensed Drivers Affect the Auto Insurance Industry?

The number of licensed drivers in the United States can have a significant impact on the auto insurance industry. More drivers mean more potential customers for insurance companies, but it also means more risk and potential claims. Insurance companies will often adjust their rates based on the number of licensed drivers and other factors.

How Do Licensing Requirements Vary by State?

Licensing requirements for drivers can vary significantly from state to state. While all states require some form of testing and a driving exam, some states may have additional requirements such as driver education courses or additional driving tests.

How Do States Verify Driver’s Licenses?

States use a variety of methods to verify driver’s licenses, including online systems that allow law enforcement to quickly check a driver’s license status. Additionally, some states use facial recognition technology to help prevent fraud and verify identities.

Conclusion

The number of licensed drivers in the United States is a key statistic for understanding the driving habits of Americans. While the number of licensed drivers has steadily increased over the past few decades, factors such as demographic shifts and changes in technology could impact this number in the coming years.