Why young Melburnians are waiting longer to get a driver’s licence

While getting a driver’s licence was once a rite of passage, young Melburnians are now in no rush to get behind the wheel. So what has prompted the change?

Uni student Conor McKee, 22, doesn’t need a car. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Young Melburnians are waiting longer to get their driver’s licence, with many relying on public transport instead, findings from a global study led by Monash University researchers show.

The percentage of Victorians aged 18 to 23 getting their licence has dropped from 76 per cent in 2000 to 57 per cent in 2018.

“At this rate, only half of 18 to 23-year-olds in Melbourne will get a licence by 2025,” report lead researcher Alexa Delbosc from Monash said.

The 18 to 23-year-olds — part of Generation Z — were taking longer to hit traditional adult milestones such as getting their licence, finishing school, starting a career and having children, Dr Delbosc said.

Uni student Conor McKee, 22. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“And they often have less money to buy a car,’’ she said.

The rising cost of petrol, service, insurance and registration, as well as the difficulty in finding a park in inner-Melbourne deterred many young people.

“In Melbourne at least, public transport seems to be picking up some of that slack,’’ Dr Delbosc said.

Another reason for not getting a licence until later was the requirement in Victoria to have 120 hours of practice while a learner. But after 21 years, that requirement does not apply.

“But some of our research found that if you want your licence, you’ll still get it.’’

The study compared the travel behaviour of young adults in Melbourne, Brisbane, London, New York and Atlanta. Other UK metropolitan areas, such as the West Midlands, were also analysed.

“Globally, there seems to be an almost an universal trend in developed countries where people are taking longer to get their licence, and there are different reasons for that.’’

Public transport has overtaken driving as the preferred mode of transport for young Melburnians. Picture: Nicole Garmston

For RMIT University student Conor McKee, 22, from Carlton North, public transport was simply more convenient and cheaper than driving.

“I have transport near me and even when I lived in Ballarat originally I had a bus stop right outside my house so it’s never been an issue.

“Plus, I am pretty impatient and I would hate sitting in traffic.

“I’m over 21 so I don’t even have to do my hours anymore, but I have already done around 70 anyway.

“So in reality I could get my licence no worries, but I just haven’t felt the need to.’’

RACV’s safety and education manger Melinda Spiteri said licensing rates for 18 to 24-year-olds had declined in Melbourne.

“What was once a rite of passage for 18-year-olds has become less of a priority,’’ Ms Spiteri said.

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But the trend was not reflected in regional areas where licensing rates for 18 to 24-year-olds rose by more than 4 per cent from 2011 to 2016, because of fewer public transport options.

The Monash-led research also found the average daily drive by young adults in Melbourne of about 14km had remained almost unchanged since the early 1990s.

Dr Delbosc said that investments in transit infrastructure were critical.

“We can’t assume that young people will do the right thing. We need to give them viable alternatives if we want them to travel more sustainably.’’

The research data was drawn from annual household travel surveys of tens of thousands of young people.

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@IanRoyall