The cultural orientation to "the car", and hence the early administration of driver's license tests in the USA has much to do with the lack of any real effective mass transit system in American, particularly when compared to Japan.
In the USA, other than living in a large metro area, you pretty much can't get anywhere from anywhere easily without a car.
You pretty much need a car for
anything you want to do. Add to that the US zoning law tendencies that typically do not allow businesses in residential neighborhoods... and you need a car to go shopping for almost anything.
One of my greatest pleasures when in Japan is the reliable, safe, and plentiful trains, subways, and buses. And also the abilty to walk out of where I am living, and easily buy the makings for dinner without having to drive 20 minutes to a shopping plaza / mall.
best,
.................john