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 first get this piece of paper that says "Instructional Permit" 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 an Instructional Permit, 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 Class D Provisional License? You can't drive between the hours of midnight and 6:00AM, without exception. Not only that, but during the first six months, you can only drive immediate family members. During the next six months, you can't have more than one passenger under the age of 21 who isn't a member of your immediate family. After the first year, you get to bump it up to three passengers under the age of 21 who aren't in your immediate family.

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, you can't upgrade from a Class D to a Class C unless you've successfully avoided conviction of a major traffic violation in the preceding 12 months, so you best act right.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Instructional Permit to a Class D license? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.

Instructional Permit: Choose Your Own Adventure (As Long As It Sticks to State Rules)

Let's say you've had your Instructional Permit for a while now and want to upgrade:

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 Instructional Permit anymore. You still need to have 40 hours of driving experience—at least six of which are at night—and to pass your driving test before you get your Class C license, though.
C. Have you had your Instructional Permit for at least a year and a day? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Are you at least 17, or have you completed a state-approved driver education course? 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, licensed instructor, or responsible adult driver aged 21 or older certified that you have had at least 40 hours of driving practice, of which at least six 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 D Georgia Driver's License.