A 16 year old can operate a car on the public roads here in NY. Back on the farm as a child it just seems I was very young age operating farm tractors when I could reach all the petals, don't remember the age but I think it much of been around 10 years old or younger. It was all part of working/ farm life on the farm with the whole family. I would have to drive the tractor as the adults would be loading the trailer with fruit. By 18 I was operating all farm equipment many hours a day. Hooking up, driving, and repairing. I guess its the reason I hate operating a lawn mower now in my senior years. So I would say it all depends on the child.