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 "Instruction 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. And you can only drive between the hours of 6:00AM to 10:00PM Sunday through Thursday and 6:00AM to 11:00PM Friday through Saturday. And you're only allowed to drive one passenger in the front seat and no more passengers than the number of seat belts in the back seat.

This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only an Instruction 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 Restricted License? You still can't drive between the hours of 10:00PM and 6:00AM Sunday through Thursday and 11:00PM and 6:00AM Friday through Saturday. Also, for the first 12 months—or until you turn 18—you can't drive more than one person under the age of 20 unless they're in your immediate family. And all passengers under 19 must wear seat belts.

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 need to maintain a conviction-free driving record for nine months prior to upgrading to a Restricted License and six months prior to upgrading to an unrestricted Class D, so be careful out there.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Instruction Permit to a Restricted License? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.

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

Let's say you've had your Instruction 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! The graduated licensing program doesn't apply to you.
C. Have you had your Instruction Permit for nine months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation within the last nine months? 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 D Illinois Restricted Driver's License.