Many young adults do not have a driver’s license, often because of cost, anxiety, busy schedules or living somewhere driving is not needed. You can start at any age: check your state’s requirements, study for the permit test, book short practice sessions and schedule the road test. Meanwhile, plan reliable transit, rides or biking so work and school do not suffer.
Why so many young adults wait
Not having a license at 19 or 24 is more common than people think, and there is no single reason. The usual ones:
- Cost: lessons, insurance and a car add up.
- Nerves: driving anxiety is real, especially after a bad first lesson.
- No one to practice with: parents are busy, or practice turns into arguments.
- It was not needed: transit, rideshares or friends filled the gap.
- Paperwork: documents, appointments and steps feel confusing, so the task keeps getting postponed.
None of these mean you cannot do it. They just mean the plan has to account for them.
How to get started at any age
- Look up your state’s rules. Visit your state’s DMV or motor vehicle agency website. Rules differ by state and often by age; adults may skip some steps teens must take.
- Gather documents. You will usually need proof of identity, residency and a Social Security number. Many states now issue REAL ID cards, which have their own document list.
- Study for the written test. Download your state’s driver handbook and take free practice tests.
- Get your permit. Book the appointment rather than waiting for a free afternoon that never comes.
- Practice in short, regular sessions. Twenty or thirty minutes a few times a week beats one long, stressful drive.
- Consider a driving school for a few lessons, especially if practicing with family is tense.
- Schedule the road test once you are comfortable, and practice the test route area if your state allows.
If anxiety is the main barrier
- Start in an empty parking lot, then quiet streets, then busier roads. Move up only when the current step feels boring.
- Practice with the calmest person you know, not necessarily a parent.
- Drive the same short route many times before adding new ones.
- If fear feels overwhelming or affects other parts of life, talking with a licensed professional can help.
Getting around in the meantime
Not driving should not cost you a job or a class. Build a reliable backup plan:
- Learn the transit routes to work and school, including the last trip home at night.
- Ask about carpools with coworkers or classmates, and offer to share costs.
- Consider a bike or scooter for short trips where it is safe.
- Keep a small budget for rideshares as a backup, not the daily plan. Add it to your budget, and if your hours vary, see budgeting with irregular income.
- When job hunting, factor commute into which jobs you apply for. See finding a job with no experience.
Think about the full cost of driving
A license is one step; owning a car is another. Insurance, gas, parking and maintenance are real monthly costs. Before buying, read buying your first car and make sure you have an emergency fund for repairs.
For parents
Nagging rarely gets a license earned. It works better to agree on a plan with dates, help with the paperwork once, pay for a few professional lessons if you can, and let your young adult own the rest. It fits naturally with the other adulting skills that build independence.
Where a mentor helps
Getting a license is a project with many small steps, and those are exactly the kind of tasks that slip. A mentor breaks it into weekly steps, keeps the appointments on the calendar, and helps a nervous driver make steady progress without pressure from home. See young adult mentoring and accountability coaching.
Related
- Adulting skills every young adult needs
- Buying your first car
- Young adults feeling stuck
- Your first apartment with no credit
- How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule: Habits That Help
Common questions
Is it too late to get a driver’s license at 20 or older?
No. Adults get licensed all the time, and in many states adults have fewer steps than teens. Check your state’s DMV website for the exact requirements.
How long does it take to get a license as an adult?
It depends on your state’s rules and how often you practice. Booking the permit test and practicing a few times a week keeps it moving.
What if I am too anxious to drive?
Start in low-pressure places, practice with a calm person and build up slowly. If the fear is overwhelming, a licensed professional can help.
Can I get a job without a driver’s license?
Yes. Plan your commute by transit, carpool, bike or rideshare, and consider commute time when choosing which jobs to apply for.
Get started
Want help turning a long-postponed task into real progress? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.