It's worth pointing out that this 'unqualified 17-year-olds can drive around so long as they have a qualified driver next to them' is a bit of a weird British aberration, I think.

It may apply elsewhere too, but here in Spain you first have to pass your theory test (min. age 18), and can then begin taking lessons, only with a licensed instructor in a car with dual control pedals.

For the obvious reason that if you screw up and are about to cause an accident, the 'qualified driver' next to you needs to have some way of physically averting that by slamming on the brakes, rather than just screaming 'Oh my God! We're going to die!'.

When I explain the UK system to people here, they look at me like Britain is some kind of third-world country populated and run by lunatics.

On which I no longer have any comment to make...