Probably around 14 or so, my dad would let me steer. A little later, I got to shift AND steer at the same time(he did the clutch and gas). Got my permit at 15 1/2(legal permit age in CA) and right at my 16th birthday I recieved my license.
My first car(truck) was a '76 Toyota longbed. I had that truck forever, even after I had newer cars. When I sold it, it had almost 300k miles on it with the original engine/transmission. That truck was so easy to work on - I replaced just about everything else under the hood. I wish I still had it.