Around 235 million people held valid driving licenses in the United States in 2022. 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.

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.

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

In 2021, about 17.44 million U.S. licensed drivers were aged between 20 and 24 years, a dip compared to 2013 licensed driver figures. At almost 20.9 million people, drivers aged between 30 and 34 represented the largest group of licensed drivers.

In 2022, female motorists accounted for just over half of all licensed drivers in the United States, with around 119 million female licensees compared to 115.2 million male licensees. The total number of licensed drivers stood at around 235.1 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 3.8 percent of total license-holders in 2019, down to under 3.7 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.

This statistic compares the number of licensed drivers to the number of residents in the U.S. from 1991 to 2020. Of the roughly 329 million people living in the United States in 2020, some 228 millions had a valid driver's license.

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 20.3 million licensed drivers between age 55 to 59.

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.

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.

NYC TLC Licensed FHV drivers that are currently active and in good standing. This list is accurate to the date and time represented in the Last Date Updated and Last Time Updated fields.

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 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 statistic represents the number of female licensed drivers in the United States in 2016, with a breakdown by state. In that year, there were some 3.1 million female licensed drivers in the state of Virginia.

United States Average Vehicles per Household: 3 Licensed Drivers data was reported at 3.000 Unit in 2009. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.000 Unit for 2001. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 3 Licensed Drivers data is updated yearly, averaging 3.000 Unit from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2009, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.000 Unit in 2009 and a record low of 2.900 Unit in 1991. United States Average Vehicles per Household: 3 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.

United States Ave Vehicle Miles Traveled per Household: 3 Licensed Drivers data was reported at 37,700.000 Mile in 2009. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37,900.000 Mile for 2001. United States Ave Vehicle Miles Traveled per Household: 3 Licensed Drivers data is updated yearly, averaging 37,700.000 Mile from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2009, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37,900.000 Mile in 2001 and a record low of 29,400.000 Mile in 1991. United States Ave Vehicle Miles Traveled per Household: 3 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.TA005: Vehicles Miles Traveled 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 2.8 million male licensed drivers in the state of Virginia.

NYC TLC Licensed FHV drivers that are currently active and in good standing. This list is accurate to the date and time represented in the Last Date Updated and Last Time Updated fields.

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset, which includes all TLC Licensed Drivers who are in good standing and able to drive, is updated every day in the evening between 4-7pm. Please check the 'Last Update Date' field to make sure the list has updated successfully. 'Last Update Date' should show either today or yesterday's date, depending on the time of day. If the list is outdated, please download the most recent list from the link below. http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/datasets/tlc_shl_drivers_active.csv

NYC TLC licensed drivers that are currently active, in good standing and authorized to operate Street Hail Livery (SHL) vehicles. This list is accurate to the date and time represented in the Last Date Updated and Last Time Updated fields. For inquiries about the contents of this dataset, please email licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

PLEASE NOTE: This dataset, which includes all TLC Licensed Drivers who are in good standing and able to drive, is updated every day in the evening between 4-7pm. Please check the 'Last Update Date' field to make sure the list has updated successfully. 'Last Update Date' should show either today or yesterday's date, depending on the time of day. If the list is outdated, please download the most recent list from the link below. http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/tlc/downloads/datasets/tlc_medallion_drivers_active.csv

This is a list of drivers with a current TLC Driver License, which authorizes drivers to operate NYC TLC licensed yellow and green taxicabs and for-hire vehicles (FHVs). This list is accurate as of the date and time shown in the Last Date Updated and Last Time Updated fields. Questions about the contents of this dataset can be sent by email to: licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.

NYC TLC Licensed FHV drivers that are currently active and in good standing. This list is accurate to the date and time represented in the Last Date Updated and Last Time Updated fields. For inquiries about the contents of this dataset, please email licensinginquiries@tlc.nyc.gov.