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 18 years of age or older and who has at least one year of driving experience in the front passenger seat at all times during the hours of 6:00AM to 10:00PM and a parent or legal guardian with you the rest of the time.

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 have your Restricted Minor's Permit? You still can't drive between the hours of 10:00PM and 6:00AM without a parent or legal guardian in your passenger seat.

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, anyone under 18 who applies for their Operator's License will be refused if they've been convicted of a traffic violation in the last six months, so be extra careful.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Instruction Permit to an adult 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! Once you turn 18, you don't need that Instruction Permit anymore. Time to upgrade.
C. Have you had your Instruction Permit for at least 180 days, or at least 90 days with successful completion of an approved Department of Education driver education course? ? 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. Are you at least 16? 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 South Dakota Operator's License.