It's a little like that in Denmark too, but opposite to America, we like the kids to know how to control alcohol before they get to learn how to drive:
Age 12: Start drinking, not legal to buy, but still easy to obtain.
Age 13: You can buy alcohol from 1/3 of the cashiers in the supermarkets. It is all up to their morale. It is now legal to work and earn your own money, but your parents can still control them.
Age 14: Alcohol is no probs to obtain. For a year 2010-11 this was legal age for going to prison, but it was raised in late 2011.
Age 15: Have sex, get to prison (special one for young). Only the newest cashiers wont sell you alcohol at this age, and the more adapt cashiers will now ask for your ID, so the cameras will think you are old enough. Cigarrets will also become obtainable at this age. Also, your parents will now have to ask you before they remove money from your bank account.
Age 16: Legally buy alkohol, so you wont remember the day you went from 15 to 16 (just upped 16+% to 18 years). This was until 4 years ago the legal age for buying cigarrets. With a cheap and fast to get license, you can drive 49cc scooters at 30 km/h. One of the latest points to choose if you want to be educated or a handyman in some field.
Age 17: Not much, bro. Many people will guess you 18, and you will be selling you cigs.
Age 18: Legally legal, finally and for your birthday party, you will be forced to drink 18 shots. You can move out from home, buy cigarrets and all kind of alcohol, even that which are served in pubs and clubs. With a car license you can drive a 49cc scooter at 45 km/h or a car. With a "little mc" license you can drive the 45-scooter or a motorcycle with less than 25 kW and under 1,6 kW per kg. You will now be recruited for the army (if you are a man in shape).
Age 19: Still a teenager, but also an adult. Nothing new has happened this year, so just pretend, that you are still 18 and have just gotten the right to get drunk at bars.
Age 20: You will be forced to take 20 shots at your birthday. As when you went 18, they all have to be taken with at least 4 at a time and with no more than 3 seconds break in between the sessions of 4, so get ready to see your dinner again.
Age 21: The very last point, where you get to do new things: You can now ride a motorcycle with the amount of power and engine size you like. But insurance for the mc is still an ass, when you are this age!
Edit: needed some smileys