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.

You'll 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 is 21 years of age or older in the front passenger seat at all times. And you can only drive during daylight hours for the first three months—6:00AM to 10:00PM after that.

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 still can't drive between the hours of 11:00PM and 6:00AM without that 21-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work. 17-year-olds have it a bit better: you can drive anytime except between 1:00AM and 5:00AM unless you have that 21-year-old driver or you're driving to or from work.

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.

And while we're on the subject, anyone under 18 who accumulates six or more points on their license within a 12-month period is automatically restricted for one year to driving for "Business Purposes Only," whatever that means. If you accumulate even more points while doing your "business," your license will be restricted an additional 90 days for each point. 

Bet you want to know what kind of stuff will result in points on your license, eh? Check out our "Why Should I Care About This Driver Record Baloney?" article.

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 12 months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation within 12 months of the issuance of the Learner's License, or have you incurred one where adjudication was withheld? 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 50 hours of driving practice, of which at least ten were at night? 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 E Florida Driver's License.