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 "Instruction Permit" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who has at least five 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 16 and have your intermediate license? You can't drive between the hours of 1:00AM and 5:00AM without a parent, guardian, or licensed 25-year-old in your passenger seat. Not only that, but for the first six months, you can't drive around passengers under the age of 20 unless they're in your immediate family. After those first six months, until you turn 18, you can't have more than three passengers in your vehicle under the age of 20 unless they're in 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.

And while we're on the subject, penalties for traffic violations are much harsher for you youngsters under 18. The fines are worse, the suspensions longer, and the angry faces the judge makes when he swings his gavel angrier. Get nabbed for enough negative stuff, and you could lose your license until your 18th birthday.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Instruction Permit to an intermediate 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, and you can skip right over the intermediate license. Time to upgrade.
C. Are you at least 16 years old and have you had your Instruction Permit for at least six months? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation or being issued a ticket with 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. Has a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult driver with at least five years of experience certified that you have 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 Washington Basic Driver's License.