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License to Drive
License to Drive
License to Drive
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License to Drive
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGreg Beeman
Written byNeil Tolkin
Produced by
  • Jeffrey A. Mueller
  • Andrew Licht
Starring
CinematographyBruce Surtees
Edited by
Music byJay Ferguson
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • July 6, 1988 (1988-07-06) (United States)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million
Box office$22.4 million (United States)

License to Drive is a 1988 American teen comedy film written by Neil Tolkin and directed by Greg Beeman in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Heather Graham, and Carol Kane. The film was in production in late 1987. It was released on July 6, 1988, in the United States and grossed over $20 million at the North American box office. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

[edit]

Southern California teenager Les Anderson tries to get his driver's license to impress his crush, beautiful Mercedes Lane. He fails the knowledge portion of the exam but inadvertently causes a computer surge.

Les's failing marks are thought to be irretrievable, but the Department of Motor Vehicles lets him pass the exam after comparing him to his twin sister's high marks. He eventually passes the road test, but his real test scores are finally retrieved and his license is revoked.

Les tries concealing the truth from his parents, but his mother finds out and his father grounds him for two weeks. Les had previously made plans to drive his grandfather's prized 1972 Cadillac Sedan de Ville and decides to sneak away anyway for a joyride with Mercedes.

Mercedes gets drunk and she and Les accidentally cave in the hood of the car after dancing on it. She passes out; Les panics and goes to his best friend Dean's house to have him fix the dent in the car's hood.

Dean persuades Les to continue the joyride along with their friend Charles, but are unaware that Les does not have his license. The three put Mercedes in the trunk of the car and continue their night on the town, causing even more damage to the Cadillac. Meanwhile, Mrs. Anderson wakes up her husband late in the night announcing she is in labor.

The next day, Les drops off Charles and Dean at their homes. Mercedes wakes up and believes that the night prior was a dream. Les drops her off at her house, where they share a kiss. Les gets in trouble with his father Robert after returning home with the damaged Cadillac.

Mrs. Anderson insists that Robert hold her hand on the way to the hospital, forcing Les to drive. They make it in time, driving backwards part of the way when the transmission gets stuck in reverse. Robert forgives Les, saying they'll have the car repaired before his grandfather returns. The car is then crushed by a malfunctioning construction crane.

Sometime later, Mrs. Anderson has given birth twin babies. The family tries to explain the state of the Cadillac to Les's grandfather, but he laughs it off as he reveals he has severely damaged his son's own BMW in an accident. Robert gives the BMW keys to Les and jokingly tells him to take good care of it.

Mercedes pulls up in a white Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet to pick up Les. He gets in her car and they drive away.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

It earned $22,433,275 at the North American box office,[1] against a production budget of $8 million.

Critical response

[edit]

License to Drive received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 24% approval rating based on 25 reviews, with an average score of 4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Despite a hard-working cast and a premise that will appeal to its teenage target demographic, this deeply silly comedy only has a License to Drive audiences to seek out better films."[2] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 36 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[3]

Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half out of four stars and described the film as "more-than-passable summer entertainment, especially when it identifies with the yearnings of its young heroes to get behind the wheel." He said the first half of the film was "very funny" but the second half was "much more predictable".[4]

Music

[edit]
Track listing
  1. "Drive My Car" by Breakfast Club – 3:13
  2. "Sweet Surrender" by Brenda K. Starr – 4:50
  3. "I Feel Free" (extended version) by Belinda Carlisle – 6:55
  4. "Time Starts Now" by Boys Club – 4:28
  5. "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean – 4:43
  6. "Crucial" by New Edition – 4:30
  7. "One More Dance" by Jonathan Butler – 4:32
  8. "Jazzy's in the House" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – 2:55
  9. "Touch and Go" by Femme Fatale – 3:57
  10. "Make Some Noise" by Slave Raider – 3:28

Songs played in the film, but not on the soundtrack

  1. "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles – 3:54 (single remix)
  2. "Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin – 4:03
  3. "Strangers in the Night" by Frank Sinatra
  4. "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra
  5. "Waiting for the Big One" by Femme Fatale
  6. "Trouble" by Nia Peeples

Home media

[edit]

License to Drive was first released on VHS by CBS/Fox Video in December 1988.[5] It was notable that some VHS versions of the film replaced the Nia Peeples song "Trouble" with "New Sensation" by INXS.

A special edition DVD was distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment in the United States in May 2005. Special features included interviews with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, audio commentary with Greg Beeman and Neil Tolkin, deleted scenes, TV spots, theatrical trailers, and the film's screenplay (DVD-ROM).

In January 2012, Anchor Bay released the film on Blu-ray.

Unmade sequel and trilogy

[edit]

In an interview on Larry King Live, on March 10, 2010, the day of Corey Haim's death, Corey Feldman claimed that he and Haim had been developing a sequel, titled License to Fly, an idea initiated by Haim. Feldman also claimed that there were tentative plans for a trilogy, with a third installment called License to Dive.[6]

Reboot

[edit]

As of 2017, Fox Studios and Davis Entertainment were developing a female-driven reboot based on the film.[7][8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

License to Drive

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
License to Drive is a American teen directed by Greg Beeman in his feature directorial debut and written by Neil Tolkin. The story centers on Les Anderson (played by ), a high school student who fails his exam but defies the rules by borrowing his grandfather's prized for a night out with his best friend Dean Truesdale () and his crush, Mercedes Lane (), leading to a series of mishaps and comedic escapades. Supporting roles include as Les's mother, as his father, and as his nerdy friend Charles. Released theatrically in the United States on July 6, 1988, by 20th Century Fox, the film was produced on an $8 million budget and earned $22,433,275 at the North American , marking a moderate commercial success amid the era's teen comedy boom. Critically, it received mixed reviews, with a 24% approval rating from critics on based on 25 reviews, though audiences appreciated its lighthearted humor and the chemistry between and Feldman, who became known as the "Two Coreys" through this and subsequent collaborations. awarded it 2.5 out of 4 stars, praising Haim's performance while noting the film's formulaic plot but energetic execution. Over time, License to Drive has developed a for its nostalgic portrayal of suburban teen life, including themes of rebellion, first love, and the perils of unlicensed driving, and it marked an early breakout role for . The film's soundtrack, featuring 1980s pop songs like "Drive My Car" by and "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by , further contributed to its era-specific appeal.

Synopsis

Plot

Les Anderson, a 16-year-old high school anxious to gain independence, fails his written due to a computer error that initially seems to jeopardize his chances, though he benefits from his twin Natalie's perfect score to proceed to the road test. Desperate to impress his crush, the popular Mercedes Lane, with whom he has secured a Saturday night date, Les takes the road test but fails it spectacularly by stalling the car and panicking under pressure. Undeterred by his lack of a license and driven by his motivation to appear mature and capable, Les sneaks out his grandfather's prized 1972 Cadillac Sedan de Ville—a low-mileage to which his grandfather has deep sentimental attachment—intending to use it for the evening's adventure. This sets off a comedic all-night escapade filled with reckless decisions, highlighting Les's youthful desperation and the trope of the overconfident teen defying authority. The date begins promisingly as Les picks up Mercedes, but it quickly spirals into chaos when they attend a house party where Mercedes drinks heavily and passes out. In a fit of exuberance, Mercedes dances on the Cadillac's hood with Les, denting it severely and setting the stage for escalating damage. Les's best friend Dean, ever the instigator in their sibling-like rivalry marked by teasing and dares, joins them, encouraging further mischief; they hide the unconscious Mercedes in the trunk to evade her disapproving friends, leading to more collisions and scrapes as they drive erratically through town. The comedic tension builds with a high-speed police pursuit after an officer spots the increasingly battered vehicle, turning the night into a slapstick chase sequence involving near-misses, backward driving, and absurd stunts that underscore the film's tropes of teen rebellion and improbable luck. As dawn breaks, the Cadillac is left a wreck after a final collision—crushed by a crane at a construction site—leaving Les and Dean scrambling to conceal the destruction from authorities and Les's family. Complicating matters, Les's pregnant mother goes into labor, forcing him to heroically drive her to the hospital in the mangled car, which miraculously only functions in reverse, adding to the film's and Les's arc from irresponsible boy to reluctant savior. The family, including his supportive but exasperated parents and younger brother, attempts a , but the truth emerges, leading to grounding and confrontation with his grandfather over the car's irreplaceable value. In resolution, Les retakes and passes his , earning his through determination; his grandfather, revealing his own youthful indiscretions with a wrecked car, forgives him, allowing Les to drive off with Mercedes and solidify his growth from anxious teen to confident young man.

Cast

The principal cast of License to Drive (1988) is led by as Les Anderson, the film's protagonist, a nervous teenager navigating the challenges of obtaining his driver's license and pursuing his crush. portrays Dean, Les's wisecracking best friend whose bold antics provide comic relief and support in their misadventures. Their on-screen chemistry, marked by playful banter and mutual loyalty, became a hallmark of 1980s teen comedies and established the "Two Coreys" as enduring icons of the genre. Heather Graham plays Mercedes Lane, the alluring and unattainable love interest who embodies the film's aspirational high school dynamic; this role marked Graham's breakout performance in a major . The adult ensemble includes as the eccentric Mrs. Anderson, Les's overprotective mother, and as the authoritative Mr. Anderson, his father, both contributing to the familial tensions central to the story.
ActorRoleDescription
Les AndersonProtagonist teen obsessed with driving and romance.
DeanBest friend and partner in crime.
Mercedes LaneLove interest and popular girl.
Mrs. AndersonQuirky, concerned mother.
Mr. AndersonStrict, no-nonsense father.
CharlesClumsy rival and friend who adds chaos.
Natalie AndersonLes's studious twin sister.
Christopher BurtonRudyMercedes's cocky date.
Les's DMV ExaminerIntimidating driving test official.
This ensemble's youthful energy and relatable portrayals amplified the film's appeal as a lighthearted exploration of adolescent independence, with and Feldman's collaboration in schemes like hiding Les's failed test exemplifying their dynamic interplay.

Production

Development

The screenplay for License to Drive was written by Neil Tolkin, who initially titled it To Live and Drive in L.A. and drew from the quintessential experiences of teenagers navigating independence through driving. It was adapted from Tolkin's own short story of the same name, originally published in National Lampoon in 1986. The third draft of the script was completed on September 21, 1987, marking the culmination of initial development efforts that began in the mid-1980s. Greg Beeman was attached as director, marking his feature film debut after a background in music videos and television work. Producers Jeffrey A. Mueller and Andrew Licht oversaw the project through their Davis/Licht/Mueller production banner, with the film ultimately distributed by 20th Century Fox following an early association with independent financing. The production was greenlit in late 1987 with a budget of $8 million, allowing for preparations to commence ahead of principal photography. Casting emphasized the rising popularity of teen idols and , who were paired as leads following their breakout collaboration in (1987), capitalizing on their established chemistry to anchor the film's comedic tone. Veteran cinematographer Bruce Surtees was brought on to handle visuals, bringing his experience from high-profile projects to enhance the film's energetic, youth-oriented aesthetic.

Filming

Principal photography for License to Drive began on November 2, 1987, and concluded on January 21, 1988, with all principal filming occurring in , . The production captured the film's suburban teen world through diverse local sites, including residential streets and homes in North Hollywood for family and neighborhood exteriors, a junior high school in the same area to represent high school settings, restaurant in Downey as the in-film Atomic Cafe, and for harbor-side sequences. Filming the movie's high-energy driving antics presented logistical hurdles, particularly in staging stunts around the central 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, which undergoes repeated damage across the story. To manage this, producers acquired nine Cadillacs, allowing multiple vehicles to sustain the escalating destruction without compromising safety or continuity. Practical effects dominated the crash sequences, exemplified by a key stunt in Westwood where two 10-ton steel girders were dropped from a ten-story height onto one of the Cadillacs to depict an industrial mishap. Lead actors Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, playing the protagonists, lacked driver's licenses when shooting started. Post-production editing refined the footage into an 88-minute runtime, tightening the narrative around the overnight escapades.

Release and Reception

Box Office

License to Drive was released on July 6, 1988, by 20th Century Fox. The film opened in 1,223 theaters and earned $3.85 million during its opening weekend from July 8 to 10. It ultimately grossed $22.4 million domestically, surpassing its $8 million production budget and marking a moderate financial success. The movie's performance occurred amid the 1988 summer season's wave of teen comedies, including Big and Cocktail, which capitalized on youth-oriented audiences. Its appeal to adolescents was bolstered by the star power of Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, whose popularity from The Lost Boys (1987) drew young viewers. However, competition from major blockbusters like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which dominated the box office that summer, constrained its earnings potential. Internationally, License to Drive received a limited release, contributing negligibly to its totals, with worldwide gross amounting to approximately $22.4 million. The film's mixed likely impacted its longevity in theaters, preventing greater momentum.

Critical Reception

Upon its release in , License to Drive received mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated its comedic take on teenage anxieties but found its plot formulaic. of the awarded it 2.5 out of 4 stars, describing the first half—focused on the protagonist's —as "very funny" for capturing the "sheer terror" through relatable details, while criticizing the second half's extended chase sequences as predictable and overdone physical humor involving automobiles. Similarly, the praised the film's quick hook into the audience but faulted it for neglecting responsibility toward impressionable young viewers by downplaying consequences of reckless behavior. Other contemporary outlets echoed this ambivalence, noting effective comedy amid a standard teen flick structure. Aggregate scores underscored the generally unfavorable critical response. On , the film holds a 24% approval rating based on 25 reviews, with critics' consensus stating: "Despite a hard-working cast and a premise that will appeal to its teenage target demographic, this deeply silly comedy only has a License to Drive audiences to seek out better films." assigns it a score of 36 out of 100 from 9 critics, categorizing the reception as generally unfavorable. Critics commonly critiqued the film's predictable storyline and reliance on stereotypes, such as exaggerated adolescent bravado and belching humor, which some deemed beyond intelligent grace. Praises, however, highlighted the strong chemistry between leads Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, which lent authenticity to their friendship, alongside the movie's lighthearted tone capturing suburban teen embarrassment over lacking independence. Common Sense Media's retrospective noted its avoidance of heavier vices like drugs or bullying compared to peers, though it still celebrated impulsive decisions. In retrospective views, License to Drive has achieved status among fans of for its snapshot of teen fantasies and the Coreys' peak collaboration, as reflected in anniversary pieces marking its enduring appeal despite initial dismissal. The film earned no major awards or nominations but received recognition at the 1989 Young Artist Awards, including a tied win for and as Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture or Fantasy and a win for as Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture or Fantasy.

Soundtrack

Original Score

The original score for License to Drive was composed by Jay Ferguson, a former member of the rock band Spirit known for his work in the and early music scene. Ferguson's score adopts a synth-heavy style emblematic of cinema, blending upbeat, energetic cues with tension-building electronic elements to underscore the film's driving sequences and comedic moments. This approach amplifies the movie's themes of and high-stakes mishaps, using pulsating synthesizers and rhythmic percussion to heighten the sense of urgency and fun. Key tracks in the score include the main theme, which captures the exhilaration of newfound teen through motifs, and various underscores for chase scenes that incorporate electronic flourishes like arpeggiated synth lines and basslines. Examples such as "Bumpy Ride" and "Les Is In Deep Trouble" exemplify these contributions, providing dynamic support to the narrative's action-oriented beats without overpowering the or visuals. The score was recorded after in Los Angeles-area studios, where Ferguson and his team layered in the instrumental elements to fit the film's tone. During , these cues were carefully integrated to improve pacing, syncing seamlessly with montage sequences that occasionally overlap with featured songs for enhanced emotional impact. The featured songs in License to Drive consist of licensed pop and R&B tracks that enhance the film's themes of teenage romance, rebellion, and the thrill of driving, with many appearing on the official soundtrack released by in 1988. The includes 10 tracks, blending covers of songs with contemporary hits to appeal to the era's youth audience.
Track No.ArtistSong TitleDurationNotes
1Breakfast ClubDrive My Car3:17Cover of ' song; plays during Les' driving excitement.
2Sweet Surrender4:54Underscores a romantic sequence.
37:00Extended version; featured in a liberating teen moment.
4Boys ClubTime Starts Now4:35Builds tension in adventurous scenes.
5Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car4:44Key driving montage; reached No. 1 on the for two weeks in April 1988.
6Crucial4:32Adds energy to party-like gatherings.
7One More Dance4:36Romantic interlude.
8 & The Fresh PrinceJazzy's In The House4:11Hip-hop flair in youthful antics.
9Femme FataleTouch And Go4:02Heightens dramatic tension.
10Slave RaiderMake Some Noise3:30Climactic rebellious moment.
In addition to the album tracks, the film incorporates several other licensed songs to underscore specific scenes, such as "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles during a lively party sequence, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988, "Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin in a high-energy chase moment, "Trouble" by Nia Peeples, and "Strangers in the Night" and "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra. These selections, totaling at least five extra vocal tracks beyond the album, emphasize the adventurous and flirtatious elements of the story without overlapping the original score. The itself achieved modest commercial success while benefiting from via radio play of its hit singles, which helped amplify the film's marketing reach.

Post-Release

Home Media

The film was first made available on through a VHS release on December 15, 1988, distributed by CBS/ Video. This format captured the movie's appeal to its target teen demographic shortly after its theatrical run, providing an accessible entry point for repeated viewings. A DVD followed on May 3, 2005, released by . The disc offered a widescreen 1.85:1 presentation with 5.1 audio, supplemented by an track featuring director Greg Beeman and writer Neil Tolkin, interviews with (10 minutes) and (17 minutes), deleted scenes with optional commentary, theatrical trailers, TV spots, and a DVD-ROM version of the screenplay. Anchor Bay Entertainment issued a Blu-ray edition on January 17, 2012. It presented the film in 1080p high definition at the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio using MPEG-4 AVC encoding, paired with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio and English SDH subtitles on a Region A-locked BD-25 disc. Special features were limited to a 7-minute vintage "Making of License to Drive" featurette and the 2-minute theatrical trailer. As of November 2025, the movie is available for streaming on and for rental or purchase on platforms including Amazon Video, , Apple TV, and . No 4K UHD release has been produced. These home media options have supported the film's revival as a among 1980s enthusiasts.

Legacy

License to Drive has attained status within teen comedies, celebrated for its chaotic depiction of driving mishaps and the charismatic partnership between and , which became emblematic of the era's youthful exuberance. The film's nostalgic appeal endures through its portrayal of adolescent rebellion, often highlighted in retrospectives on cinema. Plans for sequels were pitched around 2010, with Haim and Feldman pitching License to Fly, an aviation-themed follow-up, and tentative ideas for a third installment, License to Dive, centered on scuba adventures, forming a proposed . These projects were ultimately abandoned due to scheduling conflicts and Haim's personal struggles with . In 2017, 20th Century Fox and announced a female-led of the film, aiming to reimagine the story with contemporary sensibilities. However, as of 2025, the project remains in development limbo with no further updates or production advancements reported. The movie's initial success, grossing over $22 million, contributed to its lasting cultural footprint, influencing the subgenre of teen films by emphasizing themes of freedom and consequence behind the wheel. Despite earning no major awards, License to Drive sustains a dedicated fanbase, bolstered by ongoing availability in home media formats.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095519/
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  7. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/license-to-drive
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095519/soundtrack/
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/06/movies/review-film-naughty-but-saintly-teen-agers.html
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  37. https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/License_to_Drive/Home_media
  38. https://www.ecrater.com/p/39019886/vhs-license-to-drive
  39. http://www.dvdmg.com/licensetodrive.shtml
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  43. https://www.netflix.com/title/70028173
  44. https://www.popmatters.com/license-to-drive-dvd-2496256421.html
  45. https://www.looper.com/1419036/canceled-comedy-sequels-you-will-never-get-to-see/
  46. https://www.thewrap.com/corey-feldman-slams-hollywood-over-haim-death-15150/
  47. https://variety.com/2017/film/news/license-to-drive-female-reboot-1202528314/
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