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 "Learner License" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a parent, guardian, or authorized licensed adult driver 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 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 restricted license? You can't drive between the hours of 11:00PM and 5:00AM without that 21-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work, school, church, or the hospital. Also, for the first six months, you're only allowed one unrelated passenger under 18 unless supervised by a licensed adult driver. For the second six months, you're allowed up to three unrelated passengers under 18.

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 License to a restricted license? Let's play a little game to see if you’re eligible.

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

Let's say you've had your Learner License 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 to you.
C. Have you had your Learner License for at least six 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 Restricted Montana Driver's License.

Your restricted license will be automatically upgraded to a full license on the date indicated on the back of the license, or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.