A noticeable trend has emerged in recent years: fewer young people are choosing to drive. It’s a surprise to many older generations for whom it was almost a rite of passage into adulthood. The reasons behind this trend are diverse and ultimately unique to each individual, but below we discuss some of the common themes relating to why young people are choosing not to drive.
Economic and financial pressures
One of the most straightforward reasons for this decline is the economic barrier to driving. The costs associated with owning and maintaining a vehicle have risen sharply for all motorists over the past few years. But young drivers already face significantly higher costs for car insurance, which is forecast to rise further this year.
With many younger people struggling to even afford the cost of driving lessons, the financial burden of driving and car ownership just isn’t worth it. Economic pressures aren’t helping either, with many young people earning less relative to the cost of living, having less job security and struggling to save for other things like buying a house. Some are resorting to using temporary car insurance as and when needed rather than taking out hefty annual policies.
Digital connectivity
The digital revolution has fundamentally changed how many young people socialise, work and spend their free time. With the meteoric rise of remote work, e-commerce and digital forms of entertainment, the need to physically travel has become less important in all aspects of life.
More social interactions take place online than ever before, further reducing the need for personal transport to meet friends or engage in traditional social activities. Furthermore, the convenience of platforms like Uber and food delivery services gives people a more flexible and cost-effective option when it comes to sporadic travel.
Public transport and urbanisation
There’s no doubt the greater concentration of young people living in and around more densely populated cities has a role to play. Public transport is more dependable and accessible in urban areas, meaning it often provides a convenient and more cost-effective alternative to owning a car. It’s also less hassle than finding parking and navigating busy city streets.
Public transport has become more advanced in recent decades with cities investing heavily into infrastructure. With modern features such as contactless payments and digital apps, the perception of public transport has changed making it more appealing to a younger demographic.
Environmental awareness
Today’s youth are more environmentally conscious than previous generations. The awareness of climate change and the role fossil fuels play in its acceleration have led many young people to reconsider their lifestyle choices and habits, including whether they own a car or not.
As such, choosing public transport, car-sharing, cycling or electric scooters has become more common and reflects personal commitments to reducing carbon footprints, promoting sustainability and combatting climate change. The rise of EVs is surely an antidote to this, but the costs associated with this switch just aren’t possible for most young people yet.
The decline in young people wanting to drive isn’t surprising, and it’s something that will likely shape the motoring industry long into the future. Businesses need to adapt to the preferences and attitudes of younger generations to ensure there’s still a thriving market in a few decades.
