(Driver’s) License to Work
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Prior to the pandemic, only 15 percent of teens receive driver’s ed at school, compared to 95 percent in the 1970s. It was difficult for opportunity youth to attain pre-pandemic, but with the shifting world of work, it is even more imperative to obtain the driver’s license as a needed employment credential.
What Keeps young people from the driver's license?
Accessibility
Driver’s education has been privatized, with many districts in the state choosing not to offer options at all.
Cost
Driver’s education can cost up to $600, plus costs if additional behind-the-wheel practice and funds to rent an appropriate vehicle to take the road test.
Structure
DPS locations make it difficult for those in Minneapolis and St. Paul to access the road test. Additionally, the requirement for the vehicle for the road test is a barrier for many young people.
Racial Disparities
Although DPS does not collect race or ethnicity data, national data serves as a proxy for seeing the disparities in our own driver’s license attainment.
Policy Recommendations
For up to age 24, including behind the wheel driving practice and the option to rent the insured vehicle from the driving school to take the test. Priority for young people...
Accessing free/reduced lunch; MFIP; SNAP
*In Foster Care after age 13.
* Accessing emergency
shelter and/or in
coordinated entry system.
Subsidized state insurance pool for "opportunity youth:" foster care, justice involved, youth experiencing homelessness, and young parents..
* Track age of license attainment by zipcode and race/ethnicity up through age 25.
* Track license attainment of foster youth up through age 21.
* Track license attainment for young people completing juvenile probation.
Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network
For more information contact: Kristy Snyder, Twin Cities Opportunity Youth Network Director
