Chuck Taylors and The Pillows

Hi. My brother bought a used Grand Am today. I'm happy for him, but I'd really like to know when I'll be able to get my driver's license. My mom tells me that she doesn't think that I'm old enough to drive yet. She's says she will be worried about me. I can't understand it, I've been 17 for almost a year now(at which point I'll no longer be 17) and she still doesn't think I'm old enough to trust with a large metal death machine. I refuse to believe that the American government would set the legal driving age at 16 if they didn't think that 16 year olds were responsible enough to operate a car. I'm happy my mom worries about me, it only means she cares, but sometimes I wish she would care just a little less sometimes. Is that bad? Feel free to give me your opinion. Later Days.