What is the national minimum driving age?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. According to the data in the map, what is the minimum driving age in your state?

2. According to the data in the map, what is the national minimum driving age?

3. Why don't we have a national minimum driving age?

4. There were two main factions or groups at the National Constitutional Convention. The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution which created a strong national government. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they were wary of a tyrannical central government which they worried would infringe on individual liberties. They preferred for power to be concentrated at the state level. What do you imagine the typical Anti-Federalist would say about whether we should have a national driver’s age? (I know, I know, they are all dead, you’ve never met an Anti-Federalist, use your imagination!)

5. Explain whether you believe the U.S. of A. should have a national minimum driving age?

6. How do you think the US compares to the rest of the world in terms of driving age?*

7. Federalism is a division of powers between a national government and sub-national (state and local) governments. Explain how this map illustrates the concept of federalism.

8. Imagine that the Constitution had not been ratified - ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! and we were still ruled by the Articles Of Confederation! How would that change the national discussion of things like driving age, speed limits, and marijuana legalization?

9. There is a long story of the American political system trying to balance the power of the states and the national government. Explain whether in your lifetime the U.S. has moved towards or away from a more powerful federal government, relative to the states. Give two examples to support your claim.

10. Imagine that President Donald J, Trump wanted to change the minimum national driving age, list the steps necessary to make a new national driving age a reality.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Contact your U.S. Senator and let them know what you think about a national graduated drivers license (GDL).

Get Creative

A friend of mine went to take his driver license diving test. During the test he drove past his high school that was just letting out for the day. He saw his friends leaving the school and drove right into the back of a stopped car. He didn’t pass the test. Create a four sentence story about someone getting their driver license.

Learning Extension

States with strict graduated drivers licenses see up to 30% fewer crashes. Read this short report on three Senators who are trying to create a standard national graduated drivers license.

View fullsize