PS I love you

The first car is more than just a means of transportation.

"The bus stops here twice a day, and driving my own car is a huge deal for me. I could spontaneously visit friends, go to McDonald’s in the middle of the night, or get home after a night out. I think getting a driver’s license at 16, like in many U.S. states, makes sense so that fewer young people have to rely on their parents to drive them around. I’m currently taking driving lessons and believe it could also work at 16: The lessons are very intensive, and the requirements for learner drivers are high. In the long run, I want to move to a city, use public transportation and ride a bike, and maybe buy an electric car someday. I value the freedom, but of course, I see the downsides when it comes to the environment. My car is old and runs on gas. And owning a car comes with responsibilities: I have to take care of the vehicle, including financially. I scraped together my savings for my VW Golf, and I’m working part-time to pay for my driver’s license."

– Nele, 17, from Wegeleben in Saxony-Anhalt

"I’ve only had the Opel for a few days. It holds a lot of memories because it used to belong to my parents and my grandpa. Owning a car is an absolute luxury for me: Getting a driver’s license is outrageously expensive, and the costs of buying and maintaining a car have risen significantly. But now, I can spontaneously drive to the lake or head to a festival without much hassle. It was much more complicated before. I have a lot of respect for the traffic in Berlin. I want to use the car as little as possible and share rides whenever I can. Our mobility needs to become more sustainable and flexible, with better public transportation and more car-sharing options. However, I’ve also noticed that many people still see owning a car as a status symbol."

– Liia, 27, from Berlin

"I've had my driver’s license since November and the car since I was 14. It used to belong to my dad, and I’ve always loved it. I paid it off over three years. I’m especially proud of the interior, the rims, and the suspension. In the future, most cars will probably be autonomous. That’s not a pleasant thought: driving is fun, a passion, definitely more than just a means of transportation. I find it much more relaxing to travel by car than by train or on foot."

– Jeremy, 18, from Fredersdorf in Brandenburg

"My boyfriend and I live in a camper van. It’s more of a lifestyle than a means of transportation—we spontaneously drive to beautiful places, lakes, or on vacation. I see it as a privilege to be able to get a driver’s license as a woman. That’s not something that can be taken for granted everywhere. For me, it represents a sense of autonomy and freedom. Still, I’d like to rely on the car less often. I hope the public transportation network will be expanded, and that we’ll use more car-sharing options, so the overall number of cars decreases. In cities, I often use public transport anyway. I’m skeptical about getting a license at 16: younger people are often more willing to take risks. I think the current rule—driving under supervision at 17 and independently at 18—is more reasonable."

– Clara, 26, from Michendorf in Brandenburg

"I’ve wanted to drive a car ever since I was a kid, and now I finally can. A car is faster and more comfortable than any train. I can blast loud music and take my buddies along. On the highway, I stay in my lane and just drive, drive, drive—it clears my mind. I’d only give up the car if I’ve been drinking or if other drugs are involved. Otherwise, never. People say young folks want electric cars and older ones cling to their gas-powered vehicles. But electric cars aren’t my thing. I love the sound and the driving experience of gas-powered cars. I got into tuning through friends, car meetups, and my dad. He used to have a Mercedes 190, but that’s too expensive for me. So I got myself a W202 from 1996. It had a few issues, but I fixed them with my dad. He taught me how to work on cars. I always wanted a car that looks cool and that I could customize myself."

– John, 17, from Berlin