It's always confused me about the US (and Canada where I'm originally from) that you get a potentially lethal driver's license at such an immature age (for most) and then load on top of it learning how to drink, act like an adult, etc. Even though I enjoyed getting my license at 16 and writing off my first car at 17, I think that the Europeans have things figured out a bit better.
You can drink beer and wine in most countries when you are 16+ (although many start earlier with parents' consent), with driving, voting and military service kicking in at 18. You're a full adult at 18, still young but with a bit more experience behind you.
Plus if you can go off and fight a war you can have a drink... Never understood the 21 drinking age / 18 draft age thing.
