Changing licensing trends and travel mode choices of young adults

Abstract

Analysis of driver licensing rates among young adults in Victoria, Australia, found declines in licensing since 2001. In 2014, over one-third of 18-24 year olds did not hold a licence. Also, a survey of 147 non-driving young Australians found the most frequent main reasons for not holding a licence included the difficulty of the licensing process or its expense, not liking driving or preferring walking. Over a third of those surveyed aged 25-30 said they had never learned to drive, or were still learning. Young Victorian adults are changing their travel modes by driving less, not at all or delaying getting a licence, along with strong preferences for other travel modes, such as public transport and walking. Potential road safety implications include reduced road deaths and injuries, but also an ongoing demand for safer infrastructure for vulnerable road users. Also, all drivers will increasingly experience a road system comprising users aged over fifty along with road safety measures targeting that age group.