About 237.7 million people in the United States hold a valid driver’s license, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Statistics data for 2023.1Federal Highway Administration. Table DL-1C – Highway Statistics 2023 That count covers every type of credential to operate a motor vehicle on public roads, from a standard passenger-car license to commercial credentials for heavy trucks and buses. It has risen every decade since mandatory licensing became universal across the states.
Licensed Drivers by State
State totals track population closely. California leads with roughly 27 million licensed drivers, followed by Texas at about 18 million and Florida near 15 million. Wyoming reports the fewest, around 420,000. FHWA publishes the full state-by-state series in its DL-201 table, which runs from 1949 through 2024.2Department of Transportation. Licensed Drivers by State, 1949 – 2024 (DL-201)
States with wide geography and limited transit tend to have higher licensing rates per capita because a car is the only practical way to get around. Dense urban areas with subway and bus coverage run slightly lower per capita, though their absolute numbers stay high because so many people live there.
Licensed Drivers by Gender
Women slightly outnumber men behind the wheel. In 2023, about 120.1 million female drivers were licensed compared with 117.6 million male drivers, a split of roughly 50.5 to 49.5 percent.3Federal Highway Administration. Table DL-20 – Highway Statistics 2023 That narrow edge has held steady in recent years and roughly mirrors the overall population balance.
Licensed Drivers by Age
The age profile skews older than many people expect. Here is how the 237.7 million total breaks down across the main age groups, based on 2023 FHWA data:4Federal Highway Administration. Table DL-22 – Highway Statistics 2023
- 19 and under: about 8.8 million, or 3.7 percent of all drivers. Only about a third of people this age hold a license.
- 20 to 44: roughly 99.7 million, the largest working-age block.
- 45 to 64: about 76.3 million.
- 65 and older: nearly 52.9 million, more than one in five licensed drivers.
The 65-and-older group has grown quickly, and more than 4.3 million licensed drivers are now 85 or older.4Federal Highway Administration. Table DL-22 – Highway Statistics 2023 Many states respond with shorter renewal cycles for older drivers, in-person renewal requirements, or mandatory vision tests after a certain age. The thresholds vary widely: some states begin extra requirements as early as 62, others wait until 75 or 80.
Why So Few Teen Drivers
The small under-20 share is not only about minimum-age laws. Teens have been slower to get licensed than earlier generations, though the trend has partially reversed. A AAA Foundation survey found 60 percent of young adults had obtained a license before turning 18, up from 54 percent in a 2012 survey.5AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Prevalence and Timing of Driver Licensing Among Young Adults, United States 2019 Every state now uses a graduated driver licensing system, with full unrestricted licenses typically available between ages 16 and 18 depending on the state.
How the Total Has Grown Since 1960
Around 1960, shortly after every state had adopted mandatory driver licensing, there were only about 487 drivers for every 1,000 residents, for a total of roughly 87 million.6Federal Highway Administration. 4. Drivers – Federal Highway Administration By the early 1990s that figure had nearly doubled, driven by the interstate highway system, suburban growth, and more women entering the workforce and obtaining licenses.
The pace has slowed, but the total has risen every decade since. Going from 87 million in 1960 to nearly 238 million in 2023 reflects a country that built its economy, housing, and daily routines around the automobile. Growth in ride-sharing, remote work, and urban transit has not reversed the trend, because the population keeps growing and most Americans still need a car for routine errands.
Where the Count Comes From
Each state’s motor vehicle department reports its driver license totals to the Federal Highway Administration every year using a standardized form, FHWA-562.7Federal Highway Administration. Highway Finance Data Collection – Chapter 4 FHWA compiles those submissions into its Highway Statistics Series, published annually since 1945.8Federal Highway Administration. Highway Statistics Series The count includes anyone with a valid operating privilege at the time of data collection, whether they drive daily or simply keep a license for identification.