Teen Driving Statistics [2025]: Risks, Habits, and How to Keep Young Drivers Safe

Getting a driver's license is a major life milestone that most teenagers are excited about. About 8.8 million Americans aged 19 and under hold driver's licenses, making up 3.7% of all licensed drivers nationwide. However, being a new driver isn't without its risks.

In this report, FinanceBuzz takes a detailed look at teen driving today, covering driving behaviors, crash and fatality rates, insurance premiums, common risk factors, and practical safety tips for parents.

Data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), AAA, and more.

Key insights on teen driving

• Teens make up 3.7% of licensed U.S. drivers, yet their crash rates are nearly 3 times higher than those of drivers over 20.
• State laws differ widely: Teens can drive alone as young as 14 years, 9 months in South Dakota, but must wait until 17 in New Jersey.
• Teen crashes peak in June (10%) and remain relatively high through October, with 39% of fatalities happening on weekends.
• Neglecting to use a seat belt is linked to nearly half of teen fatalities.

Teen driving laws by state

Teen driving laws differ by state, with the youngest minimum age for unsupervised driving at 14 years and 9 months in South Dakota and the oldest at 17 years old in New Jersey. Most states set the minimum age at 16 years old, though some allow earlier driving privileges, such as Idaho and Montana at 15 years old, and New Mexico and South Carolina at 15 years and 6 months. Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island require teens to be at least 16 years and 6 months old.

Minimum Age Requirements for Unsupervised Driving in Each State and D.C.
14 years old & 9 months	South Dakota*
15 years old	Idaho and Montana
15 years old & 6 months	New Mexico and South Carolina
16 years old	Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota**, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas,Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
16 years old & 3 months	Indiana and Virginia
16 years old & 4 months	Connecticut
16 years old & 6 months	Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island
17 years old	New Jersey
*14 years old and 6 months with driver education **15 years old for a parent-requested restricted license
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Teen driving curfews

Night driving restrictions for teen drivers vary widely across the states, with the earliest beginning before 9 p.m. in South Carolina. Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, and New York follow with restrictions beginning between 9 p.m. and 9:59 p.m. Curfews in eight states start between 10 p.m. and 10:59 p.m., while many others, including California and Florida, begin at 11 p.m. The majority of states (20) set curfews starting at midnight or later, while Vermont has no statewide nighttime driving restriction for teens.

Night Driving Restriction Start Times in Each State and D.C.
Before 9 p.m.	South Carolina
9 p.m. - 9:59 p.m.	Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, and New York*
10 p.m. - 10:59 p.m.	Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and West Virginia
11 p.m. - 11:59 p.m.	Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming
Midnight or later	Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
None	Vermont
*does not include New York City or Long Island
Note: Curfews change in some states after a certain time period of holding a driver's license. Some curfews are a secondary enforcement.
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Teen driving is on the decline

In 2023, drivers aged 19 and younger accounted for 3.7% of all licensed drivers in the United States, according to Federal Highway Administration data. That share has declined from 5.1% in 2000. Over the same period, the number of licensed teen drivers fell from 9.7 million to 8.8 million, even as the total U.S. driving population increased.

Teen driving accident statistics

In 2023, teenagers accounted for 7% of motor vehicle crash deaths. Males were overall more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash fatality than females. 2,218 males and 891 females lost their lives in a motor vehicle crash in 2023.

Drivers aged 17 to 19 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal motor accident. Twenty-five 15-year-old drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2023. In comparison, 283 17-year-olds, 379 18-year-olds, and 387 19-year-old drivers were involved in fatal car accidents in 2023.

Over time

Overall, teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes have steadily decreased. Over 3,000 teens died in motor vehicle crashes in 2023, which is 65% less than 8,748 in 1975. In the last 10 years, teen driver deaths have only surpassed 3,000 in 2021.

By month

Teen driver crash fatalities occur most often in the summer, peaking in June at 10% and followed closely by July, August, September, and October at 9% each. The month with the lowest share of crashes was February at 6%, while January, April, May, November, and December each saw 8% of annual crashes. March accounted for 7%.

By day of the week

Teen driver deaths peaked on Sunday (20%) and Saturday (19%), together making up nearly two in five fatalities. Friday accounted for 15% of the total, while Monday and Thursday each made up 12%. Tuesday and Wednesday recorded the lowest shares at 11% each.

By time of day

Despite varying nighttime curfews in each state, teen driver deaths are most common at night. The 9 p.m. to midnight period accounted for 20% of all fatalities, followed by midnight to 3 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., each at 16%. The afternoon hours from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. represented 14%, while the lowest share occurred between 9 a.m. and noon at 6%.

Teen driving accident statistics by state

In 2023, Kentucky reported the highest teen fatal crash rate at 19.5 deaths per 10,000 licensed teen drivers, more than double the next highest state. Mississippi and Arizona followed at 8.0, while New Mexico and North Carolina were also high with over 7 each. Hawaii recorded the lowest rate at 0.8, with Minnesota (1.7) and North Dakota (1.8) close behind.

Risk factors for teen drivers

As discussed, drivers between 16 and 19 years old are more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash than drivers of any other age. There are a myriad of risks directly affecting this age group that older, more experienced drivers.

Inexperience

The risk of being involved in a crash is significantly higher in the first months of a teen driver receiving their license. The crash rate per mile driven is about 1.5 times as high for 16-year-old drivers as it is for 18 and 19-year-old drivers. Inexperience also contributes to high crash rates, as teen drivers tend to underestimate dangerous driving scenarios.

Distracted driving

Teenage drivers are also at higher risk for distracted driving. 39% of U.S. high school students who drive admit to texting or e-mailing behind the wheel. Moreover, while driving friends around can be considered a nice gesture, this habit contributes to distractions behind the wheel. For teen drivers aged 16 to 17, having just one passenger younger than 21 (and no older passengers) presents a 44% greater risk of being in a fatal crash.

Neglecting seat belts

Another risk teen drivers face is neglecting to use a seatbelt. Among teen drivers and passengers 16 to 19 years old who were killed in car crashes in 2020, 56% were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Driving under the influence

Although it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, teenagers can unfortunately still find access to alcohol. The legal limit for those of legal drinking age does not apply to teenagers, as any amount of alcohol will increase their risk of crashing.

5.4% of drivers of high school age drove when they had been drinking alcohol at least once within the past 30 days. While 5.4% may seem like a small amount, this behavior has immense risk. 29% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who were killed in a car crash had been drinking prior to the crash.

Alcohol is only part of the equation when it comes to driving under the influence. Impaired driving also extends to illicit substances, prescription medications, and even over-the-counter medications. However, the most common substance associated with impaired driving other than alcohol is marijuana. 13% of teen drivers admitted they had used marijuana while driving within the past 30 days.

Both marijuana and alcohol present their own risks to safe driving when used on their own, but when used in combination, the risk of crashing and potentially losing one's life is far greater.

Teen car insurance costs

Due to their inexperience on the road, teen drivers are more likely to get into accidents and cause damage to cars. Because of this, the cost of insuring teenage drivers is considerably higher than that of adults. According to Insurify, the average cost of car insurance for teenagers is $364 for full coverage car insurance and $194 for liability only car insurance. Both of those costs are about 90% higher for teens than for adult drivers.

How to choose the right car insurance for a teen

Shopping for car insurance for a teen driver can feel overwhelming, but the process doesn't have to be a headache. Parents should get quotes from multiple providers, as rates for teens can differ significantly by company. Parents shouldn't just look at the price tag, though. Parents need to make sure they're comparing the same coverage types and limits. A cheap policy with only minimum liability might seem appealing, but a balance between affordability and strong protection is best for the family's safety.

Many insurers will also offer discounts for good grades, completing safe driving courses, or installing tracking apps and devices to prove responsible driving. Talk to your preferred provider about what they can offer as far as additional discounts.

If parents are looking to purchase a separate car for their teen driver, they should keep in mind the type of car greatly affects costs. Older vehicles with good safety ratings are generally less expensive to insure than sports cars or luxury models.

The combination of smart shopping and safe driving habits can help parents keep premiums affordable while giving their teen the protection they need on the road.

Teen driver safety tips

Although teenagers are at higher risk for fatal crashes and car accidents in general, there are plenty of steps parents can take to ensure their teen grows up to be a responsible driver.

Lead by example

Teenagers' learning starts at home. Their parents are the first examples of what to do on the road, so parents should lead by example and practice safe driving themselves.

Take advantage of graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs

Becoming an experienced driver who can make safe decisions on the road takes a lot of practice. New drivers who haven't built the skills and discernment necessary are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors, especially if unsupervised. Taking a teen through all the steps of a GDL program can help reduce their risk behind the wheel.

There are GDL programs in place in all U.S. states. However, the laws and requirements vary greatly between states. Parents should research the programs within their respective states to plan for how they can set their teen up with ample practice time and supervision before full licensure so they are safer on the road.

Discuss the real consequences of risky driving behaviors

Parents should sit down with teen drivers and emphasize the severity of risky driving behaviors. Building bad driving habits such as distracted driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving under the influence can not only have legal consequences, but it can cost them their lives.

Look into the safest cars for teen drivers

There are many cars at affordable prices that could potentially save a teen's life in the event of a crash due to their high safety ratings.

Some models that the IIHS and Consumer Reports ranked as being safer for teens include the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, the Mazda CX-3, and the Honda Pilot.

Expert advice on covering your teen

Families with teenagers eligible to get their license or already driving on their own know how expensive it can be to insure them. However, the right coverage can guarantee their safety and give parents peace of mind.

To find out how parents can save when insuring their teen driver, the FinanceBuzz team reached out to a panel of experts so parents can make educated financial decisions when securing coverage.

Responses may have been slightly edited for clarity and brevity.

How can parents save when adding their teen to their coverage?

FAQs

Sources

• CDC, "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• CDC, "Reducing Risk for Teen Drivers." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• NHTSA, "Young Drivers." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• IIHS, "Safe Vehicles for Teens." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• IIHS, "Fatality Facts 2023: Teenagers." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• FHWA, "Distribution of Licensed Drivers - 2023." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• FHWA, "Licensed Drivers, by Sex and Age Group, 1963 - 2023." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• FHWA, "Licensed Male Drivers, by Age (1) 2023." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• The Zebra, "Freedom Comes at a Price: It Now Costs Nearly $8K a Year To Insure a New Teen Driver." Accessed September 22, 2025.
• Taylor and Francis Online, "Teen Driver Risk in Relation to Age and Number of Passengers, United States, 2007–2010." Accessed September 22, 2025.