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's Permit" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older (18 if the person is an immediate family member) in the front passenger seat at all times. And you can only drive one non-related passenger under 18. 

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 license? You can't drive between the hours of midnight and 4:00AM without a parent or that 21-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work, school, or an emergency (if you're an emergency squad volunteer). Also, for the first year that you have your license, you can't have more than one non-related passenger under the age of 18 with you. After the first year, and until you turn 18, you can't have more than three non-related passengers under the age of 18 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's Permit to an adult 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 19 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's Permit for at least nine months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully completed a state-approved driver education course? 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 or legal guardian certified that you have had at least 45 hours of driving practice, of which at least 15 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 Virginia Driver's License.