I think that I would seriously consider changing school in the circumstances you're describing
crablab. You are describing a situation where the instructor is not trusting the student to participate fully in their own learning process.
I wonder if your age has anything to do with it? At 17 (assuming your profile is correct) there are people who will tend, unfairly, to infantilise you somewhat. I wonder if they'd show the same patronising attitude to an ugly old greybeard like me.
Frankly with comments like:-
Ultimately, if you really wanted them you could get them but you might end up p*ssing people off...
You are showing more maturity than your instructor! You certainly seem to grasp the law better.
G