You might be a finely responsible young man or woman, but statistics don't lie. You have too many minor brethren that make up the majority of motor vehicle crashes.

So, to protect everyone from your relatively high odds of crashing, we rein you in, especially during your teenage years.

If you're 15, you'll first get this piece of paper that says "Learner's License" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who's 21 years of age or older in the front passenger seat. At all times.

This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only a Learner's License, it's likely that you won't get your real license until you're at least 18.

Think you're cool because you're 16 and have your license? You can't drive without that 21-year-old licensed driver in the front passenger seat next to you between midnight and 6:00AM, unless you're driving to or from work, school, church, or the hospital. You also can't have more than one non-family member in the car with you, other than your 21-year-old driving chaperone.

The belief is that in this probationary time, you'll be extra super extra extra cautious. And if you're not, then you aren't ready to be inflicted on everyone else who has to use the same roads as you.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Learner's License to an adult license? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.

Learner's License: Choose Your Own Adventure (As Long As It Sticks to State Rules)

Let's say you've had your Learner's License for a while now and want to upgrade to the real deal:

A. Are you 18 or older? If YES, go to B. If NO, go to C.
B. Congrats! Once you turn 18, you don't need that Learner's License anymore. Time to upgrade.
C. Have you had your Learner's License for at least six months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Are you at least 16 years old? If YES, go to F. If NO, go to E.
E. Sorry kid, you're gonna have to wait a while.
F. Has a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult driver aged 21 or older certified that you have had at least 30 hours of driving practice? If YES, go to G. If NO, go to E.
G. Have you passed a driving test? If YES, go to H. If NO, go to E.
H. Congrats! You're the proud owner of a shiny new Class D Alabama Driver's License.