Well, back when I lived in the US, or more specifically New Jersey, there was a so-called learner's permit and a driver's license. While the latter was a full authorization to drive, the former was subject to a number of conditions, including having a licensed driver in the car with you and not being allowed on the roads during the night (10pm-6am, I think, I can't remember).

BTW, on a similar topic, you should have seen the look the guy at the car rental counter at TLV gave me when I handed him my German Führerschein (= driving license).