>learner's permit at 14?

I'm pretty sure there are only 2 states where that's the case. It's definately not a normal thing for the vast majority of Americans. It's 15 in most states 16 in a few.

Edit: It's actually 5 states, plus 3 more that allow teenagers to get learners permits at between 14.5 and 15 with additional drivers education requirements.

Here's the numbers on just how many.

If you include Michigan with full permits at 14.75 at the asbolute earliest (though most teens wouldn't be able to complete a 40 hour drivers education course that fast so the average will be even closer to 15)--then around 7.3% of teenagers can get their learners permit sometime during their 14th year.

If you don't include Michigan only 4.1% can.