Learner’s Permits in Kansas
For 15 year olds, the number of documents required in order to be eligible to obtain a Kansas Learner’s Permit includes; proof of identity, social security number, residence and citizenship. This is provided on a signature and authorization form for the underage applicant. The school enrollment certificate is required as well, which is a filled out "form C," which basically indicates enrollment to a secondary school, or an approved home school.
Both legal guardians must sign at each appointment and show proof of legal guardianship. Such documents to prove guardianship include; certified copies of legal guardianship and adoption papers.
Additionally , both legal guardians must provide proof that they have agreed to fully supervise the minor driver’s driving. All applicants for a learner’s permit must be at least 15 years old by the time of their appointment. This is not counted as the same day. You not only need to be 15 years old when you show up at the appointment, but you need to be able to take the written test at the appointment time as well. If you do not pass the written test, you will have to wait until you are passed the age of 15 years old, until you can possibly take the test and get a permit.
The Restrictions of a Learner’s Permit
When granting a learner’s license to 15-year-olds, the words of K.S.A. 8-292(a) set forth certain restrictions which are designed to keep new drivers from having adventures that people adult enough to have a learner’s license hopefully would not have. When operating a motor vehicle with a learners’ license, the 15-year-old must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older. Kansas is one of the few states that does not allow a 15-year-old to drive alone and neither does it allow him or her to drive even with young passengers. Until the age of 17, the law in Kansas mandates that the 15-year-old cannot transport anyone under 18 years of age who is not family, nor open up the electronic distractions. The goal is to keep them focused and virtually without distraction. From the law’s perspective, there is no reason to provide more than one opportunity for a person to learn those lessons.
Taking Driver’s Education
Traffic laws in Kansas require class[room] instruction in a driver’s education course for 15 year old applicants. The 12-hour course is offered in both schools and private businesses—and can be taken online or in-person. "There are many classes available in school systems and private businesses," said Sheriff Andy Hill of Anderson County, Kansas in a interview that includes other counties in Eastern Kansas. The Kansas Department of Education lists the following approved providers:
Applicants must complete classroom training of at least 30 hours of instruction in the following areas: Only 12 hours of the driver education class may be counted toward this requirement. Online education is also an option, provided that the instructor and an emergency contact meets with the student at least once. For each hour, instruction is taught the instructor reports to the online provider. Upon completion all instructors sign a declaration of completion, and the online provider gives the applicant a certificate that includes name, date of birth, and address. Instruction for 15-year-olds should include discussions of the highway transportation system, managing the driving environment, speed, space, risk, distractions, space management skills, the fundamentals of driving, and the attitude and behavior influences on safe driving.
Getting a Restricted License
A 15 year old with a valid learners permit can obtain a restricted drivers license (also known as an intermediate restricted license) if they meet certain requirements and pass the appropriate tests.
The basic steps are as follows:
To apply for a restricted license, the minor must: (1) have held the learners permit for a minimum of 12 months; (2) be enrolled in school; (3) be attending and making satisfactory academic progress; (4) have 50 hours of practice driving including 10 at night; and (5) successfully complete (pass) the required drivers education course.
A minor may apply for the restriction in person or mail. The application must be completed and the applicable fee paid .
Once the application is received by the DMV, it is reviewed for compliance and the minor advised whether their application has been accepted or is pending some action or additional information from the minor.
Once the application is reviewed and accepted, the DMV will send the minor an instruction permit with a photograph.
To receive the final document, the minor must return to the DMV to schedule a driving test given by a DMV inspector. If the minor passes the driving test, they will receive their full intermediate or restricted drivers license. If they do not pass, they must wait until the next business day to retake the test.
The full Kansas motor vehicle laws are here.
Insurance and Signing the Application as a Parent
As a parent or legal guardian of a 15-year-old, you are responsible for signing permission slips, and consent forms for the young driver to be issued an instruction (or "getting") permit. The form must be signed by you after the minor receives a medical examination and is verified to be in good physical condition.
With the instruction permit, the 15-year-old can be driving with you, if you are seated in the front passenger seat, or another licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. Seat belts must be worn. Minor drivers can only drive during daylight hours. It may only be used to travel to or from school, work, or to a school activity – in other words, it is not a free-for-all. This instruction permit is only valid for one year, not 180 days as in many other states.
The basic Kansas law requires that minor drivers possess a document signed by their parent, guardian, employer or other responsible adult, with that adult taking responsibility (legally) for the safety of the minor driver. Until the teenager goes back to the DMV and applies for a regular driver license with court approval, the adult has legal responsibility for the actions of the minor driver. If the minor driver is in an accident, the permit holder is liable for any damages caused by the minor driver up to the amount of minimum auto insurance coverage in Kansas generally $25,000.
Insurance Myths
There are a lot of myths, half-truths, and urban legends when it comes to insurance for young drivers and especially concerning permits. Regardless of your state, here’s what you should know:
Each insurance company will have its own rules on coverage. Check your coverage before you send a minor driver out.
In Kansas, if you get pulled over and the automobile insurance agent determines that the minor driver was actually driving then they will not have a problem with the minor being listed on that vehicle’s insurance policy. If the vehicle was uninsured, then generally, the permit holder is responsible for the actions of the minor driver.
Safe Driving Practices
As a 15-year-old driver in Kansas, it is extremely important that you follow the safety rules and regulations that will come into play throughout your driving experience. These driving tips are designed to help you avoid potential traffic violations and collisions.
No Use of Electronics – As a 15-year-old driver, your phone may be very important to you, but when driving, it must be put down for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other motorists on the roadway. While it may be tempting to respond to a text or post a status when entering a stoplight, this is not acceptable behavior and will likely land you a ticket. Even if you think you can pay attention to your surroundings while on your phone, things can change in an instant and your mind’s eye must be watching the road ahead at all times.
Practice Defensive Driving – The best way for a new driver to gain experience and increase confidence behind the wheel is by practicing defensive driving. This means your focus is on avoiding car accidents, rather than continuing on your assumed right of way. When driving defensively, you are predicting the behavior of other drivers and allowing for others to make mistakes, rather than thinking that everyone else will be cautious, like you. National Safety Council and AAA recommend that every new driver undergo a defensive driving course as a way to better prepare them for safe driving experiences .
Create a Class C or Learner’s Permit – Kansas is one of many states that does not require new drivers to be accompanied by an adult when driving with a class C or learner’s permit. However, this does not mean you should throw this obligation away and drive on your own without much experience. It is still important for parent’s to have the opportunity to ride along with their new driver to help them develop comfortable driving skills. For this reason, some parents create a class C or learner’s permit that includes both their name and driver’s license information, and their child’s. While this doesn’t ensure that you will always have an adult passenger in the car, it does provide peace of mind for parents to know they could and should be with their child at any point in time.
Drive Carefully in Limited Visibility – While this is difficult for any driver to do, it is especially complex for new drivers who have not yet mastered driving techniques that allow them to navigate wreckless driving conditions. According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, when driving in dense fog, you should turn on your headlights low-beam and hazard lights to remain in visibility of other drivers. If you need to stop in order to regain site of the road ahead, pull over to the side of the road until you have regained sight of the road ahead.