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 is 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 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 license? For the first six months, you can't drive between the hours of midnight and 5:00AM without a 25-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work or school, and you can only have one non-related passenger under the age of 20 with you unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. During the second six months, you can drive up to three passengers under 20.

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 license, 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! None of this applies you.
C. Have you had your Instruction Permit for at least six months and have successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Are you at least 16? 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, 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 Provisional Minnesota Driver's License.

Once you turn 18 or have had your license for 12 consecutive violation-free months, you'll automatically be upgraded to a full, unrestricted license, at which point you can finally drive to Taco Bell at 3:00AM.