Trends in teen driver licensure, driving patterns and crash involvement in the United States, 2006-2015.

•The Monitoring the Future survey tracks licensure and driving patterns of U.S. high school seniors.•During 2006–2015, the proportion of high school seniors with a driver's license declined from 81% to 72%.•During 2006–2015, the proportion of seniors that did not drive during an average week increased from 18% to 26%.•Licensure and driving patterns of U.S. high school seniors have not rebounded since the recent economic recession.•The recession had lingering, negative effects on teen employment, which likely influenced teen driving patterns.