Kansas Permit Restrictions
The state issues all license applicants with a learners permit first, the the driver has an opportunity to practice driving skills before taking a drivers test. In order to make this period as safe as possible, there is a number of Kansas permit restrictions that you will need to observe until you receive a restricted or full drivers license. The permit restrictions that you must observe largely depend on your age as minors must also meet the requirements of the graduated drivers license program. Failure to observe Kansas permit restrictions may result in you having your driving privilege suspended or canceled.
Many of the first time Kansas drivers license applicants wonder why they have to jump through all these additional hoops before they can get a full drivers license. The reason why you have to apply for a learners permit before you can get a drivers license is very simple - the DOV is giving you an opportunity to gain some driving experience before you start driving alone. Lack of driving experience is a number one risk factor for those who just got a drivers license. One in every five drivers either has an accident or receives a traffic ticket for a moving violation within the first year of driving. The learners permit, with its permit restrictions, is just the way the DOV helps you to slowly ease into driving and minimize your chances of being damaged financially or physically until you get through this period.
The situation is even worse when it comes to teenage drivers as there are certain age factors that elevate the risks of the driver being involved in a traffic accident. Teenagers tend to overestimate their driving ability and they often misjudge the importance of safe driving. According to statistics, traffic accidents is a number one cause of death for people between 15 and 20 years of age. In order to address this, a number of additional restrictions and requirements were developed and combined under the name of the Kansas graduated drivers license program. The program applies only to drivers under the age of 17, everyone else may ignore its requirements.
Instruction Permit Restrictions - Over 18 Years of Age
If you are 18 years of age or older, there are not that many restrictions that are placed onto your Kansas learners permit. The only real limitation is that you have to have another licensed driver who is at least 18 years of age accompany you whenever you are driving. The driver must coach you on the matters of safe driving and prevent you from getting into situations that can potentially be dangerous. There is no minimum holding period for your learners permit and you can apply for a drivers license as soon as you feel ready.
Although the graduated license restrictions don't apply to you, you are still subjected to the same testing procedure as young drivers, which means that you will need to pass both a vision exam and a Kansas permit test. The permit test will assess your knowledge of the state driving rules and traffic signs and if you want to test yourself before you go in for the real exam, you may take a free Kansas practice permit test.
Learners Permit Restrictions - Under 18 Years of Age
If you are under the age of 18, you will need to meet the graduated drivers license requirements as well as observe the regular permit restrictions. Once you have your Kansas learners permit, you must follow the restrictions listed below:
- No driving alone. You must have another licensed driver who is at least 18 years of age and has not less than one year of driving experience seated next to you whenever you are behind the wheel.
- No cell phones. You cannot use a cell phone or any other communication device while driving. This means no texting as well as talking on the phone.
- Seat belts. Seat belts must be worn by everyone present in the vehicle.
- Passenger restrictions. The number of passengers that can be present in the vehicle is limited by the number of available seat belts.
These restrictions must be observed for at least one year, until you pass your Kansas drivers test and get a restricted drivers license. Please note that the actual holding period for your learners permit largely depends on whether you choose to complete a drivers education course. You may refer to the Kansas drivers manual for details regarding drivers ed classes.
Intermediate License Restrictions
Those who received a restricted drivers license at the age of 15 will need to observe the following license restrictions:
- Driving alone is allowed only to/from school or place of employment. At all other times, a supervising driver must be present in the front seat next to the licensee.
- No cell phones. Just like with the learners permit, you cannot use a cell phone while driving.
- Seat belts must be worn by everyone in the vehicle.
- No passengers who are not members of the driver's family can be carried in the vehicle unless there is a supervising driver present.
If you are at least 16 years of age, an intermediate license holds the following restrictions:
- Curfew. No driving alone between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. If you need to travel during this hours, you must have a licensed driver with at least one year of driving experience supervise you.
- No cell phones. You are not allowed to use a cell phone while driving until you reach the age of 18.
- Seat belts must be worn by everyone in the vehicle.
- No more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not a member of the drivers immediate family.
The second set of license restrictions must be observed for at least six months or until the driver reaches the age of 17, whatever comes first.
Drivers Education Classes
Drivers ed classes play an important role in the graduated drivers license system and can help you get rid of some permit restrictions sooner. Thus, if you complete a Kansas drivers education course and at least 25 of the required 50 hours of supervised driving, you can get a restricted drivers license at the age of 15, while those who choose not to take the class will need to observe Kansas permit restrictions until they are at least 16 years of age.
