The Missing Link in Career Mobility? A License

Executive Summary

When we talk about workforce development, conversations usually center on training programs, college pathways, or technical skills. But there’s a quieter, more practical barrier holding back Gen Z from career advancement: access to a driver’s license.

From securing that first job to unlocking higher-paying opportunities, the license isn’t just a rite of passage—it’s a career accelerator. Research shows that 70% of Gen Z pursued their license specifically to access job opportunities, and more than half of employed Gen Z adults say they wouldn’t have their current role without one. The conclusion is clear: if we want to close wage gaps and improve job mobility, we need to treat drivers ed as workforce infrastructure.

This white paper examines the role of driving in employment access, salary growth, and long-term career stability—and offers recommendations for workforce boards, recruiters, and educators to help Gen Z get behind the wheel and ahead in their careers.

1. The License Gap: A Hidden Workforce Barrier

For many young adults, the biggest hurdle to economic independence isn’t a lack of skills—it’s a lack of transportation. Public transit often doesn’t reach industrial parks, suburban offices, or rural job sites. Without a license, opportunities are missed before they even begin.

• 70% of Gen Z said they got their license specifically to access job opportunities.
  
  

• 9 in 10 report that their license expanded access to jobs outside their local area.
  
  

When job seekers can’t get to interviews or shifts, training programs and job postings are meaningless. The license is often the missing link between ambition and access.

2. Driving and the First Job: Keys to Starting Strong

Getting a first job is one of the most important steps into adulthood. A license makes that leap much more achievable.

• 69% of Gen Z say their license helped them secure their first job or internship.
  
  

• Many noted that without driving, they would have been limited to low-paying or part-time roles within walking distance.
  
  

Driving doesn’t just provide independence—it provides options. And options are what allow young workers to start careers with confidence rather than compromise.

3. Salary Growth and Career Advancement

Driving isn’t just about landing a first job—it’s about leveling up. Having a license directly impacts income and advancement.

• 54% of employed Gen Z say they wouldn’t have their current job without their license.
  
  

• 42% report that their license helped them increase their salary.
  
  

For recruiters, this means candidates with access to driving aren’t just more employable—they’re more promotable. For workforce boards, it underscores the economic return of investing in drivers ed access.

4. Workforce Implications: Why This Matters Now

As state and federal agencies look to close wage gaps and strengthen pipelines, the data is clear: transportation is workforce infrastructure. Driving deserves a seat at the table alongside technical training and higher education.

Without addressing the license gap:

• Rural and suburban candidates remain underemployed.
  
  

• Companies face narrower talent pools.
  
  

• Economic mobility programs risk missing their mark.
  
  

By reframing drivers ed as a workforce tool, we can help close opportunity gaps, expand hiring pools, and strengthen local economies.

5. Recommendations for Stakeholders

For Workforce Boards:

• Integrate drivers ed support into job readiness programs.
  
  

• Partner with local schools and training centers to offer subsidized courses.