A note: the changing gender demographics of U.S. drivers.

OBJECTIVE This study examined recent trends in gender differences in the percentage of persons with driver's licenses as a function of age by comparing data from 2010 and 1995. METHOD The analysis used data from the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau. RESULTS There are 2 main findings. First, the percentage of males with a driver's license decreased from 1995 to 2010 for those younger than 60; for females a decrease occurred for those younger than 50. Second, in 2010, proportionally more males younger than 45 had a driver's license than was the case for females; the opposite relationship held for persons 45 and older. CONCLUSIONS The observed gender trends in driver licensing will likely have major implications on the extent and nature of vehicle demand, energy consumption, and road safety.