It's a day you spend years waiting anxiously for: The day you finally get your license. It's not just some piece of plastic with a photo you'll laugh at 10 years down the road -- it's a ticket to freedom.

But the cost of that freedom is getting higher and higher each year. According to a new study by WalletHub, car accidents are the leading cause of death for 16- to 19-year-olds — and they have the highest crash rate of any age group. An average of 260 teens are killed in car accidents each month -- and that number is only climbing.

In its study, WalletHub ranked the best and worst states for teen drivers, based on statistics in three key categories: safety conditions, economic environment and driving laws.

So, how does your state stack up? See the list below:

1. South Dakota

2. Mississippi

3. Nebraska

4. Oklahoma

5. Wyoming

6. Arkansas

7. Montana

8. (Tie) South Carolina

8. (Tie) Missouri

10. Arizona

11. North Dakota

12. Alabama

13. Iowa

14. Idaho

15. Utah