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 "Learner's Permit" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who is 18 years of age or older 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 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 intermediate license? You can't drive between the hours of 11:00PM and 5:00AM without that 18-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work, school, or the hospital. You also can't transport more than one passenger under the age of 18 who isn't in your immediate family unless accompanied by that 18+ driver. 

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 17 or older? If YES, go to B. If NO, go to C.
B. Congrats! Once you turn 17, you don't need a Learner's Permit. Time to upgrade.
C. Are you at least 16? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you had your Learner's Permit for at least 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 licensed driving instructor 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, got to H. If NO, go to E.
H. Congrats! You're the proud owner of a shiny new Class C Intermediate Wyoming Driver's License.