I learned to drive when I was 15, had my own car when I was 16, and drove everywhere by myself most of the time, including in and out of St. Louis, while I lived in New Haven, MO. When I was 18, I drove over to my Uncle's house, picked up HIS car, and went to the local DMV office and GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE, lol. Needless to say, I had no trouble passing the test. Funny thing, I used to give one of the local Highway Patrolman lifts all the time.
When I was 16, I got a job working in a beer garden, and yes - I served beer. I worked there for about six months until one of the customers told the owner how old I was. The fink, lol. From then on, I worked inside, but ended up serving beer again after a month or so, until I quit that job.