Driving is a very serious thing. Here it is a very long and expensive process, because it include mandatory CPR-training, time on a race track, both a written and a behind-the-wheel test.
So parents want to be very sure that their children are able to drive. The punishment is very severe if they end up in an accident even without alcohol in their blood. A driver got 60 days and 1.100 dollars in fine for killing to young men on a bicycle and leaving them in a panic. If he had remained, other cases show that he had got away with the fine only.
Thats one of the reasons we have the 16 year limit when it comes to alcohol, so some of those who are unable to drive due to their consumption habbits, are sorted off by their parents.
We don't have an very easy access to weapons, so cars are the major killer in our society and while mobility comes with an accepted cost, which are lives lost there is no reason to overdo it.
So being placed in your shoes, I would certainly try to have him evaluated by professionals and if necessary use this process to stall him so he is older before he ends up being the wheels.
I know that I come from another culture, but personally I don't believe that 16 year olds are mature enough to drive a car. In some cases even 18 year olds are too young. This year all Europe have decided that drivers of lorries over a certain limit have to be at least 21 years. We have a similar system with motorcycles where 2 years with an ordinary licens is needed before a license to larger bikes can be taken.
