In 2021, there were almost 232.8 million licensed drivers in the United States. At around 27 million, California issued the highest number of licenses in the country that year. Not only is California the U.S. state with the highest number of licensed drivers, but it is also the most populous state in the U.S. overall, representing close to 12 percent of the country’s total population.

Young people are most likely to be involved in car accidents
When it comes to accidents, people aged 21 to 24 are most at risk. While there are more female license holders in the U.S., men are more likely to drive at least occasionally. Across all age groups, the male population has substantially higher death rates than the female population.

About licenses in the U.S. The driver’s license became mandatory in the United States in the early 20th century, with Missouri and Massachusetts being the first states to require an official license for operating certain types of motor vehicles. Such vehicles include motorcycles, passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers, or buses. New Jersey became the first state to require all drivers to pass a mandatory test before being granted an official driver’s license.

Annual State-reported licensed driver data from Highway Statistics for the 50 States and DC from Highway Statistics table DL-22.

Annual number of licensed drivers for the 50 states and DC from FHWA Highway Statistics table DL-201.

In 2023, female motorists accounted for just over half of all licensed drivers in the United States, with around ***** million female licensees compared to ***** million male licensees. The total number of licensed drivers stood at around ***** million. Fewer younger drivers The share of young drivers in the driving population fell significantly between 2010 and 2020. Under 20-year-olds accounted for about *** percent of total license-holders in 2019, down to under *** percent in 2020. The reason for this is being put to the increased number of drivers in other age cohorts, and also the rising costs of car insurance, which is highest for young male drivers. The rise in insurance premiums on young men should not come as a surprise, as young men are more likely than any other demographic to die at the wheel. Non-binary gender options Some federal states issue third gender identities. License-holders can choose between three options: M, F, and X. However, even if more and more states are to accommodate non-binary gender identities, this has yet to become included in national statistics.

Licensed driver data from Highway Statistics table DL-22, broken down by state, sex, and age group.

Around 237.7 million people held valid driving licenses in the United States in 2023. In most U.S. states, the minimum age to be behind the wheel is 16 years old. There are slightly more female licensees than male drivers. Some states are beginning to issue non-binary gender options on their licenses, and digital IDs are expected to become widely adopted soon. Lack of road safety Lax driving tests and lack of training are sometimes sighted as reasons for the high level of road accidents and fatalities in the United States, compared to other countries. The number of people killed in traffic-related accidents reached a peak in 2021 when almost 47,000 people died on U.S. roads. In recent years, the United States has witnessed a slight decrease in road traffic fatalities. The vast majority of accidents are recorded in urban areas, but rural accidents are more likely to be fatal. Automation and aggravation More than half of U.S. drivers say they have been on the receiving end of road-rage. These events may cause traffic accidents or lead to physical assault. It is hoped that vehicle automation will be able to reduce driver error and eliminate road rage. However, self-driving cars are often on the receiving end of violence due to anti-computer animosity from human drivers, and customers report concerns regarding the safety of autonomous cars. However, we can expect to share roads with more self-driving vehicles soon.

Analysis of ‘Licensed Drivers, by state, gender, and age group’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/be253280-b316-4f82-a7cd-b90604679b3d on 12 February 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Licensed driver data from Highway Statistics table DL-22, broken down by state, gender, and age group.

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

The U.S. state home to the most licensed female and male drivers in 2018 was California, with over 13.7 million male drivers and just under 13.3 million female drivers. States with the least licensed drivers for both genders was Wyoming.

The table displays the total number of licensed drivers in each State. The table shows the number of male and female licensed drivers by sex and age group.

This statistic compares the number of licensed drivers to the number of residents in the U.S. from 1991 to 2020. Of the roughly *** million people living in the United States in 2020, some *** millions had a valid driver's license.

This study focuses on the drinking and driving habits of Americans. The questionnaire contained 51 questions. Respondents were interviewed over the telephone and asked about their frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages, where they most often drank, their mode of transportation to and from this location, their driving and drinking experiences, and their age, sex, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status.

This data set includes general demographics for all persons who hold, or have recently held a: Driver License, Permit or Non-Driver Identification Card (a.k.a. credential) issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

United States Average Vehicles per Household: 4 or More Licensed Drivers data was reported at 4.100 Unit in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.900 Unit for 2009. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 4 or More Licensed Drivers data is updated yearly, averaging 3.850 Unit from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.100 Unit in 2017 and a record low of 3.800 Unit in 2001. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 4 or More Licensed Drivers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Center for Transportation Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.TA003: Number of Vehicles per Household.

This statistic represents the number of male licensed drivers in the United States in 2016, with a breakdown by state. In that year, there were some *********** male licensed drivers in the state of Virginia.

This data collection focuses on perceptions and experiences regarding driving and alcohol consumption. Respondents were asked questions about their average alcohol consumption, whether they refrained from drinking or moderated their behavior if they knew they would be driving, whether they ever drove while intoxicated, how many drinks they estimated it would take to make them legally drunk as defined by the laws of their state, whether they had been arrested for driving under the influence of liquor during the past year, and whether they and their friends ever had a designated driver when they went to a place where alcohol was served. Questions were also asked about perceptions of other people's behavior, such as whether designating a driver or refraining from driving after drinking is a common practice, and whether drunk driving is viewed as a serious offense in the community. Additional questions concerned knowledge of local laws and penalties regarding drunk driving. Demographic questions included age, education, family income, and whether employed.

This statistic represents the total number of licensed drivers in the United States in 2016, with a breakdown by age group. In that year, there were some **** million licensed drivers between age 55 to 59.

This dataset shows monthly counts of new Washington State driver licenses and identification cards (ID) where customers presented licenses or IDs from other states or countries. The data is organized by Washington counties where the customers live. It shows where the previous driver licenses or ID cards were issued.

Annual data on the number of DMV issued photo document holders broken out by County of residence, age, and gender.

United States Average Vehicles per Household: 2 Licensed Drivers data was reported at 2.200 Unit in 2009. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.200 Unit for 2001. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 2 Licensed Drivers data is updated yearly, averaging 2.200 Unit from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2009, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.200 Unit in 2009 and a record low of 2.100 Unit in 1991. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 2 Licensed Drivers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Center for Transportation Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.TA003: Number of Vehicles per Household.

This data set includes general demographics for all persons who hold, or have recently held a: Driver License, Permit or Non-Driver Identification Card (a.k.a. credential) issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.