As students start high school, their ninth-grade year, the thought of getting a driver’s license crosses each of their minds. In order to obtain a driver’s license in Pennsylvania, a teenager must be at least the age 16. Due to this age limit, some teens are limited in their experiences throughout high school. Teenagers should be able to get their driver’s license sooner instead of waiting until they are 16.

“[The driving age limit in Pennsylvania] affects me by not being able to hang out with my friends or go to activities after school, as I always need to find a ride,” Rylie Vojtko (10).

When teenagers are required to wait until the age of 16 to be eligible for their permit, they are typically near the end of their sophomore year of high school, with the exception of early birthdays, or getting held back in school years prior. After waiting the anticipated six months of permitted driving, they are eligible for their license at 16.

With the high age requirement for a license, students are prone to missing out on events in which they could have been participating in years prior if this law was not in place. As most jobs open up at the age of 14, teenagers are eligible in their freshman year of high school to get a job. While this seems reasonable, it comes with a number of problems. Teenagers heavily rely on getting rides, and carpools from parents or family members in order to get to their job. If teenagers are responsible enough in the eyes of the law to get a job, then getting their license sooner also seems reasonable.

Although other states have a reasonably lower driving age limit, the responsibility and risk of young drivers is also at stake when opting for a younger driving age limit. Young drivers are prone to many distractions while driving, whether that is texting while driving, talking to a passenger or listening to loud music.

“I feel [16] is the proper age for driving due to the growth and maturity [of teenagers] from the beginning of high school towards halfway through,” Alyssa Bearer (11) said. “Driving is a huge responsibility for the risk of other people, but [also for the driver]. It is extremely important to have the correct mindset in making smarter decisions.”

With teenagers getting their driver’s license, the cost of getting a car comes along with it. Each year the prices of used and new cars continue to increase, and teenagers struggle to afford them in general. In 2010, the average cost of a used car came in at $8,715, and in 2024, the average cost of a used car is around $25,571. Due to these rapid price increases, teenagers struggle to afford a car while in high school. On top of a car payment, teenagers are liable to afford their own gas and insurance. In 2010, the average cost of gas was $2.77 a gallon, and in 2024, the average cost is $3.69 a gallon. On average, it costs around $2,455 a year to afford full coverage car insurance.

“The price of cars are extremely expensive and it is harder for teenagers, like myself, to be able to afford a car. Getting to and from work is also extremely complicated without a car,” Trinity Vojtko (11) said.