Why US presidents aren’t allowed to drive

Being a billionaire US president might come with private jets, huge estates and around-the-clock protection, but there’s one thing Donald Trump has not been allowed to do during his time in the Oval Office – drive a car.

While the rule isn’t an official law, it is highly enforced* that all US presidents, both current and former, are not allowed to operate vehicles on open roads – a fact that dates back more than 60 years.

Instead, they must be driven by their security team, who have been trained in evasive* and defensive driving manoeuvres*.

The longstanding rule is why President Donald Trump travels with a massive motorcade* of over 50 vehicles, led by one of the most fortified* cars on the planet.

At the centre of the convoy is The Beast — a bulletproof, bomb-resistant Cadillac weighing more than seven tonnes and worth over $US1.5 million ($A2.3 million). The car has been hermetically* sealed, fitted with its own oxygen supply, and protected by military-grade armour.

The Secret Service operates two identical Beasts, so no one ever knows which one the president is actually in.

Once a president farewells the White House, they’re assigned a full-time security team and chauffeur service.

While the rule might sound over-the-top, it’s all about reducing risk. A former president’s political and symbolic importance means even a minor car accident could be a major national incident.

Earlier this year, Donald Trump made headlines after purchasing a Tesla Model S. While he’s not allowed to drive it himself, Trump said he bought the EV as a “show of confidence” in Elon Musk’s company, which had been struggling with falling sales and a drop in share price.

CAN AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTERS DRIVE?
In comparison, Australian prime ministers are legally allowed to drive, both during and after their time in office. But in practice, they rarely do, especially while serving.

Similar to the US, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been provided with Australian Federal Police protection and a government driver for security reasons.

Appearing on Nova FM’s Perth breakfast show in 2021, Mr Albanese revealed he was “not allowed to drive” under then security protocols*.

“I can’t go anywhere — not to the sushi shop — without giving an hour’s notice and without there being a whole security exercise,” he said.

Other prime ministers have had strict rules in place – former PM Scott Morrison was chauffeured throughout his time in office.

But Albanese’s driving privileges may also be shaped by personal experience.

In January 2021, when Mr Albanese was the Opposition Leader, he was seriously injured in a car crash in Sydney’s inner west.

A 17-year-old P-plater in a Range Rover crashed into Mr Albanese’s Toyota in Marrickville. The crash saw Mr Albanese spend some time in hospital with spinal injuries* that he still suffers from today.

The PM has since said the crash left him with lasting back pain that makes long drives difficult.

“It took me some time to recover physically and I still have damage to my spine,’’ the Prime Minister told news.com.au.

“So I have difficulty sitting in a car for long distances.”

So while Australia’s leaders are allowed to drive, and American presidents aren’t, most leave it to the professionals either way.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• enforced: made to be followed
• evasive: getting away from danger
• manoeuvres: skilled moves
• motorcade: procession of cars that escorts someone
• fortified: protected from weapons
• hermetically: in a way that is airtight
• protocols: a set of rules or instructions
• spinal injuries: injuries to the spine, or backbone, including the muscles and nerves of the back and neck

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QUICK QUIZ
1. How many cars are in Mr Trump’s motorcade?
2. Why are there two identical Beasts?
3. How much is The Beast worth?
4. How many years have American Presidents not been allowed to drive?
5. Why did Mr Trump buy a Tesla if he isn’t allowed to drive it?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Presidential car
If you were the Prime Minister or someone very famous needing a high security vehicle for protection, design your version of ‘The Beast’ car.

Sketch your design below and label all of its features ensuring that you are well protected but also comfortable and travelling in luxury!

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Design and Technologies, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
It all sounds very good having someone drive you everywhere, but what things would you and your family miss if you couldn’t just jump in the car and drive somewhere.

List the downsides of this chauffeur service;

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Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.

Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.

Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.

Take two turns each.

Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?

Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?