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 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. And you're not allowed to drive between 10:00PM and 6:00AM.

This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only a Learner 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 restricted license? You still can't drive between the hours of 11:00PM and 6:00AM without that 21-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work, school, or a hunting or fishing trip (between 4:00AM and 6:00AM, and only with a valid hunting or fishing license). And you can only drive one non-family member under the age of 21 unless you have a parent, guardian, or a 21-year-old driver with you.

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 Permit to a fancy Intermediate Restricted License? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.

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

Let's say you've had your Learner Permit for a while now and want to upgrade:

A. Are you 18 or older, or have you already graduated from high school? If YES, go to B. If NO, go to C.
B. Congrats! None of this applies to you.
C. Have you had your Learner Permit for at least 180 days? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided accumulating six or more points through ticketed offenses in the last 180 days? 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 licensed driving instructor certified that you've 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 Intermediate Restricted Tennessee Driver's License.

Once you've held your Intermediate Restricted License for at least one glorious, violation-free year, you'll be upgraded to the Intermediate Unrestricted License. When you turn 18, graduate from high school, or receive your GED (whichever comes first), you'll be upgraded again from your Intermediate Unrestricted License to a full Regular Class D License. 

Happy trails, folks.