DRIVER EDUCATION AND THE LICENSING OF 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS

This study used regression analyses to estimate the strength of the relationship between driver education enrollment, laws requiring driver education for licensing before age 18, and the rate of licensing of 16 and 17-year-olds. Research showed that driver education is significantly and positively related to the licensing rate of 16 and 17-year-olds. This relationship was much weaker than that reported in previous research. The relationship was not greatly diminished when economic and mobility factors were controlled. The relationship was considerably stronger between 1971 and 1975 that it was between 1965 and 1970. The presence of driver education laws had a significant negative relationship with licensing of young drivers while it had a significant positive relationship with driver education enrollment. These results suggest that driver education probably accounts for some increase in the licensing of young drivers.