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 18 years of age or older and who has at least three years of driving experience 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 15 and have your restricted license? You still can't drive between the hours of 9:00PM and 5:00AM without that 18-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work. 

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 an adult one? 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! Once you turn 18, you don't need that Instruction Permit anymore. Time to upgrade.
C. Have you had your Instruction Permit for six months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Are you at least 16 or had your Instruction Permit for at least 12 months? If YES, go to F. If NO, go to E.
E. Sorry kid, you're gonna have to wait a while.
F. If you aren't yet 16, has a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult driver aged 18 or older certified that you have had at least 50 hours of driving practice in variable conditions? 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 North Dakota Driver's License.