Kansas teen driving requirements
Kansas operates a comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing program for teen drivers between ages 14 and 17. The program includes multiple licensing stages with progressive relaxation of restrictions as teens gain experience and mature. Kansas requires completion of specific supervised driving hours and adherence to strict nighttime, passenger, and cell phone restrictions during the graduated licensing period.
Contents
Overview
Kansas operates a comprehensive Graduated Driver Licensing program for teen drivers between ages 14 and 17. The program includes multiple licensing stages with progressive relaxation of restrictions as teens gain experience and mature. Kansas requires completion of specific supervised driving hours and adherence to strict nighttime, passenger, and cell phone restrictions during the graduated licensing period.
Key finding
Kansas uses a graduated licensing system that requires teens to progress through structured stages before earning full driving privileges. This approach has been shown to significantly reduce crash risk among new drivers.
Licensing timeline
Teen drivers begin with an instructional permit at age 14, which must be held for one full year. At age 15, teens may obtain a restricted license after completing driver education and 25 hours of supervised practice, or 50 hours without driver education. The restrictions are reduced at age 16 with completion of 50 hours of supervised driving, and most restrictions end after 6 months with the restricted license or at age 17.
| Stage | Minimum Age | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's permit | 14 years old | Minimum age for instructional permit |
| Graduated/provisional license | 15 years old | Minimum age for restricted license with driver education |
| Restrictions end | After 6 months | After holding restricted license for 6 months or until age 17, whichever occurs first |
Unrestricted license available at age 17 or after 6 months with restricted license
Practice paths
Kansas offers 2 pathways to meet practice requirements:
| Option | Description | Supervised Hours | Night Hours | Driver Ed | Road Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | Standard path with driver education | 25 | 0 | Yes | No |
| Option 2 | Standard path without driver education | 50 | 10 | No | Yes |
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) requirements
Kansas imposes significant restrictions on young drivers, including complete prohibition of wireless communication devices except for emergencies. Restricted license holders face nighttime driving limitations from 9 PM to 5 AM, with exceptions for employment, school activities, religious worship, or when accompanied by a licensed adult. Passenger restrictions prohibit transportation of non-sibling minors, with exceptions for siblings and when a licensed adult age 21 or older is present.
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit holding period | 1 year |
| Nighttime restriction | 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM (restricted license), none for permits |
| Passenger restriction | No non-sibling passengers under 18 (restricted license), no more than one non-sibling under 18 (less restricted license) |
| Cell phone restriction | No wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or emergencies |
| Supervisor requirement | Licensed adult age 21+ |
Nighttime restriction exceptions:
- employment
- school activities
- religious worship
- licensed adult present
Passenger restriction exceptions:
- siblings
- licensed adult age 21+ present
Important caveat
GDL restrictions vary by state and can change when new legislation is enacted. The restrictions listed above were last verified on 2026-04-03. Always confirm current requirements with the Kansas official DMV website.
Minimum insurance requirements
Kansas requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 and operates as a no-fault state, mandating Personal Injury Protection coverage with minimum benefits of $4,500 for medical expenses, $900 monthly for disability, and additional benefits for rehabilitation and burial expenses. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also required at the same limits as bodily injury liability.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | 4500 |
| UM/UIM coverage | Required at same limits as bodily injury liability (25/50) |
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Kansas operates under a no-fault insurance system. This means that after an accident, each driver's own insurance policy pays for their medical expenses and lost wages through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the accident. The required PIP coverage in Kansas is: 4500.
Insurance considerations for teen drivers
Teen drivers in Kansas face higher insurance costs due to their inexperience and the state's comprehensive coverage requirements. Families can reduce costs by maintaining teens as occasional operators on family policies when possible, completing state-approved driver safety courses for discounts, and ensuring teens maintain clean driving records to avoid extended restrictions and higher premiums.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Learner's permit | $10 |
| Driver's license | $28 |
Restricted license valid until age 21
Official resources
See also
Sources and verification
Last verified: 2026-04-03. This page contains 2 cited sources.