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 Permit" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who has been licensed for at least five years in the front passenger seat at all times. And you can only drive from 5:00AM to 9:00PM for the first six months. After that, you can drive any time, but you still need that experienced driver with you.

This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only a Learner's 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 provisional license? You still can't drive between the hours of 9:00PM and 5:00AM without that experienced driver in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work. You also aren't allowed to have more than one passenger with you under the age of 21 who isn't a member of 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.

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.

Learner's Permit: Choose Your Own Adventure (As Long As It Sticks to State Rules)

Let's say you've had your Learner's 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 Learner's Permit anymore. Time to upgrade.
C. Have you had your Learner's Permit 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 the last six months? If YES, go to F. If NO, go to E.
E. Sorry kid, you're gonna have to wait a while.
F. Have you passed a driving test? If YES, go to G. If NO, go to E.
G. Have you already had your provisional license for six months and successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation during that time? If YES, go to H. If NO, go to E.
H. Congrats! You're the proud owner of a shiny new Class C North Carolina Full Provisional Driver's License.