Why Macaulay Culkin, 45, still doesn’t have a driver’s license, and the reason might surprise you
Macaulay Culkin arrives at the American Music Awards, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles 2018 American Music Awards. Image Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt
At 45, Macaulay Culkin has lived a life most people can barely imagine, global fame before his teens, box-office dominance, and a cultural legacy cemented by Home Alone. Yet one ordinary adult milestone continues to elude him: a driver’s license.
The revelation, shared during a recent WIRED Autocomplete Interview and echoed in a Yahoo Entertainment feature, has sparked widespread curiosity online. Fans are asking the same question repeatedly: why doesn’t Macaulay Culkin drive?
Macaulay Culkin Confirms He Has Never Had a Driver’s License
Culkin stated plainly, “I’ve never had a driver’s license before in my entire life.” Unlike many celebrities who avoid driving due to luxury chauffeurs, Culkin’s explanation is surprisingly simple and relatable.
He initially attributed the decision to growing up in New York City, where driving is often unnecessary. “That’s kind of what New Yorkers do,” he said, noting that public transportation and walking were always enough. Over time, the habit stuck, even after he moved away from New York.
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A City Habit That Became a Lifelong Choice
While many people eventually learn to drive out of necessity, Culkin never felt the pressure. His lifestyle, career flexibility, and access to transportation meant driving was never essential. What began as a city-based convenience eventually became a defining personal quirk.
Despite living outside New York for years, Culkin admitted that he simply never circled back to learning. The absence of urgency turned into permanence.
The Broken New Year’s Pact With Brenda Song
The actor also revealed a humorous and revealing detail involving his fiancée, actress Brenda Song. The couple, who famously avoid New Year’s resolutions, made a rare exception.
Culkin agreed to finally get his driver’s license, while Song promised to hire a wedding planner. Neither promise was fulfilled.
“We’re not married,” Culkin joked. “And yeah, I still don’t drive.”
Brenda Song Tried Teaching Him, And It Didn’t Go Well
Song later shared her own perspective during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, describing a nerve-racking attempt to teach Culkin how to drive in their neighborhood.
“I was terrified,” she admitted.
Her comment reinforced Culkin’s claim that driving simply hasn’t become part of his daily life, not by rebellion, but by comfort with alternatives.
Life Beyond Driving: Fame, Family, and Perspective
Beyond the driving revelation, Culkin also spoke candidly about fatherhood and legacy. He shares two children, Dakota and Carson, with Song, and amusingly, they don’t recognize him as Kevin McCallister.
“They watch Home Alone and say, ‘That’s Kevin,’” he explained.
This distance from his child-star identity mirrors his laid-back approach to adulthood. Culkin appears content choosing what not to do, even when it defies expectations.
Why the Story Resonates Online
Search interest around “Macaulay Culkin driver’s license” has surged because the story taps into something universal: opting out of societal norms without apology.
In an industry obsessed with image, Culkin’s honesty feels refreshing. He isn’t avoiding driving to make a statement, he simply never needed to, and never forced himself to.
Still No License, And No Rush
For now, Culkin shows no urgency to change. At 45, with a stable family life, selective acting roles, and full autonomy, driving remains optional, not overdue.
And perhaps that’s the real takeaway: not every milestone has to arrive on schedule.
FAQ
Does Macaulay Culkin have a driver’s license?
No. Macaulay Culkin has confirmed that he has never had a driver’s license in his entire life.
Why doesn’t Macaulay Culkin drive?
He says it started as a New York City habit, where driving isn’t necessary. Over time, the habit stuck, and he never felt the need to learn.
How old is Macaulay Culkin now?
Macaulay Culkin is 45 years old as of 2025.
Did Brenda Song try to teach Macaulay Culkin how to drive?
Yes. Brenda Song revealed she once took him out driving in their neighborhood but found the experience terrifying.
Did Macaulay Culkin promise to get a driver’s license?
Yes. He and Brenda Song made a New Year’s resolution, he would get his license, and she would hire a wedding planner. Neither followed through.
Is Macaulay Culkin married to Brenda Song?
No. As of now, they are engaged but not married.
Does Macaulay Culkin still live in New York?
No. While he originally lived in New York, he no longer resides there, though the non-driving habit remains.
Do Macaulay Culkin’s kids know he starred in Home Alone?
No. His children recognize the character Kevin McCallister but don’t connect the role to their father.
Is Macaulay Culkin afraid of driving?
He has not described it as fear. Instead, he frames it as a lifestyle choice and lack of necessity.
Will Macaulay Culkin ever get a driver’s license?
There’s no confirmation. Based on his own words, he doesn’t seem to be in a rush.