When William Faulker, in his book, Intruder In The Dust, said, “The American really loves nothing but his automobile,” he knew what he was talking about. Americans have a love story with vehicles, and if you are curious to know how deep this love story goes, you’ll need to know about the number of people that drive in the US.
The number of licensed drivers in the US as of 2020 is 286.9 million, with this figure projected to reach 290.8 million by the end of 2022. Cars are by far the most popular means of transport in the country.
America is the home of trailblazing and road tripping. Driving for many Americans represents the freedom as they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. Continue reading to learn how much Americans like to drive.
Number Of Registered Drivers In The United States
One of the best ways to have an insight into the number of people that drive in the US is to take a look at the numbers of registered drivers. Since a license is needed to operate a motor vehicle in the US, only those with a driver’s license are permitted to drive.
As of 2020, the reputable Statista estimated that there are about 228.2 million licensed drivers in the US. The projected number of licensed drivers in the country is projected to rise to 289.5 million in 2021 and 290.8 million in 2022.
Below is a table showing one growth of licensed drivers in the US since 2012.
| Year | Number of licensed drivers in the US |
| 2012 | 248.7 million |
| 2013 | 248.9 million |
| 2014 | 252.6 million |
| 2015 | 257.9 million |
| 2016 | 264.0 million |
| 2017 | 270.4 million |
| 2018 | 279.1 million |
| 2019 | 284.5 million |
| 2020 | 286.9 million |
| 2021 | 289.5 million |
| 2022 (Projected) | 290.8 million |
It’s worth mentioning that the US saw the lowest number of car sales since 2012 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, car sales have been on the up since the lockdown was lifted, and the number of car sales is expected to rise to 16.5 million in 2022, a significant increase from the 14.5 million sales recorded in 2020.
Below, you’ll find a table about the number of cars sold in the US in 2012.
| Year | Number of cars sold in the US |
| 2012 | 14.4 million |
| 2013 | 15.5 million |
| 2014 | 16.4 million |
| 2015 | 17.2 million |
| 2016 | 17.4 million |
| 2017 | 17.2 million |
| 2018 | 17.1 million |
| 2019 | 17.1 million |
| 2020 | 14.5 million |
| 2021 | 15.5 million |
| 2022 (Projected) | 16.5 million |
Licensed Drivers In The US By State
California issued the highest number of driver’s licenses among US states, with almost 30 million driver’s licenses issued in 2020. Below is a table showing the states that issued the highest number of driver’s licenses in the US.
| State | Number of driver’s licenses issued |
| California | 27,005,302 |
| Texas | 17,667,039 |
| Florida | 15,715,373 |
| New York | 12,194,360 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,930,677 |
| Illinois | 8,225,298 |
| Ohio | 8,100,273 |
| North Carolina | 7,637,400 |
| Georgia | 7,521,750 |
| Michigan | 7,026,650 |
| New Jersey | 6,230,912 |
| Virginia | 5,909,716 |
| Washington | 5,812,500 |
| Arizona | 5,681,495 |
US Car Owners’ Demographics
Age
As of 2021, most car owners in the United States are between the ages of 60 to 64. The average age for a new car for a truck buyer in the US is 53 years old. This means most of the car owners, about half, in fact, are aged 60 years and older.
People aged 18 – 24 (the millennials) accounted for only 0.02% of car ownership, which is understandable when the cost of a new car, as well as maintenance expenses, are considered. According to the Annual True Cost of Ownership survey, the cost of owning a new car in the US is about $9,666 per annum. This figure includes insurance, registration fees, repairs, maintenance, interest, and car payments.
Gender
Analysis of US car ownership by gender revealed that there are currently more women-owned cars in the US than men-owned cars. This is in contrast to 2019 data, where there were more men-owned cars. Women also currently have more valid driver’s licenses than men.
Cars Dominate The American Commute
Many Americans rely on their cars to get to work and back. A report published by Statista after its Global Consumer Survey revealed that about 76% of Americans use their cars to shuttle between home and work. Also, only 11% of the 5,649 that participated in the survey said they use public transportation, while only 10% ride a bike. It’s worth mentioning that American commuters have several options to get around, but cars remain by far the most popular mode of transportation.
The situation in America is largely in contrast to that of many European countries, where people favor buses, bicycles, and trains over driving their own cars. It’s worth mentioning that European cities still have their fair share of people driving their own cars, but the number isn’t as high as that of the US.
Most Popular Cars In America
There are several car brands in the US, and the top brands that recorded the most sales in 2021 are Ford, Chevrolet, Ram, Toyota, and Honda. While these brands are the most popular in the country, it doesn’t mean they are the only types of cars you’ll see on the road. Regional preferences are one of the major determinants of the type of cars you’ll see on US roads.
Some areas have preferences for certain cars. For example, Honda sedans are especially popular on the East and West Coasts, while Ford F-series can be seen cruising on the Mountain West and Great Plains regions. Southerners love the Nissan Altima, while motorists in the central Midwest prefer the Chevrolet Malibu.
Affordability is another factor influencing the popularity of car models. While the top car brand in the US isn’t exactly cheap, their prices are still reasonable and within what many people are willing to shell out on cars.
