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A Kansas farm permit lets a teen aged 14 to under 17 who lives on, or is paid to work on, a Kansas farm drive class C vehicles for farm work and school trips. It is set out in K.S.A. 8-296. This page covers who qualifies, what the permit allows at 14, 15 and 16, and the paperwork.
Key facts
- Age: at least 14 and under 17. Some KDOR summaries describe it as 14 to 15, but the statute says under 17.
- “Farm” means a parcel of land larger than 20 acres used for agricultural operations.
- You must pass the license examination and provide a parent or guardian’s affidavit. If you work on the farm but don’t live there, your employer signs too.
- Before you turn 16, a parent or guardian signs a 50-hour supervised driving affidavit (10 hours at night).
- Fee: $20 for a farm permit issued to a person under 21 (K.S.A. 8-240, as of November 2026). KDOR may add a photo fee, so check the total.
Who qualifies for a Kansas farm permit?
To qualify you must:
- Be 14, 15 or 16.
- Live on a Kansas farm, or be employed for pay on one. The farm must be more than 20 acres and used in agricultural operations.
- Prove that you live or work there.
- Pass the license examination under K.S.A. 8-235d (vision, signs, traffic laws and a driving demonstration).
- Submit a signed affidavit:
- if you live on the farm: from a parent or guardian
- if you only work there: from your employer and a parent or guardian, confirming the job
KDOR publishes a parental form for the farm permit (DE-98). Ask your driver’s license office which version to bring.
What a Kansas farm permit allows
| Age 14 and 15 | Age 16 (first six months) | |
|---|---|---|
| Farm work | Any time, to or from or in connection with farm work | Any time, to or from or in connection with farm work |
| School | On school days, by the most direct route between home and school | To or from authorized school activities |
| General driving | No | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Religious services | Not listed | Directly to or from worship services |
| With an adult | Passenger car, any time, with a licensed adult beside you | Passenger car, any time, with a licensed adult beside you |
| Passengers | No non-sibling minor passengers | No more than one passenger under 18 who isn’t immediate family |
After those six months, if you have complied, the statute lets you drive without the farm permit restrictions. The adult beside you must hold a valid class A, B, C or commercial license.
Phone ban
A farm permit holder may not use a wireless communication device while driving. The only exceptions are reporting illegal activity or calling for medical or other emergency help.
The 50-hour affidavit for farm permit holders
Before you turn 16, a parent or guardian must sign an affidavit stating that you completed at least 50 hours of adult-supervised driving, including 10 at night. The supervising adult must be 21 or older and hold a valid class A, B, C or commercial license. If you don’t file it, you stay on the under-16 restrictions until you file it or turn 17, whichever comes first. See Kansas 50 hour supervised driving affidavit.
How you can lose a farm permit
- Any violation of the permit’s restrictions leads to suspension.
- Two or more crashes chargeable to you: suspension, with no reinstatement for one year.
- Two or more moving violations on separate occasions before 16: you keep the under-16 restrictions until 17.
- Two or more moving violations between 16 and 17: you keep the age-16 restrictions until 18.
- Breaking a passenger rule counts as a moving traffic violation.
Farm permit or restricted license?
A restricted license at 15 needs approved driver education and a permit held for one year. A farm permit needs neither of these under the statute, but you must live or work on a qualifying farm. Compare both in Kansas restricted license rules at 15 and 16.
Common questions
How old do you have to be for a farm permit in Kansas?
At least 14 and under 17, under K.S.A. 8-296.
How many acres count as a farm in Kansas?
More than 20 acres, used in agricultural operations.
Can I get a farm permit if I work on a farm but live in town?
Yes, if you are paid to work there. Your employer and a parent or guardian both sign the affidavit.
Can I drive a farm truck on a Kansas farm permit?
Only if it falls within class C, as defined in K.S.A. 8-234b, and only for permitted trips. The farm permit does not cover class A or B vehicles. Check a specific truck with KDOR.
Can I drive friends to school on a farm permit at 15?
No. Under 16 you may not carry non-sibling minor passengers.
Do I still take a test for a farm permit?
Yes. You must complete the examination requirements in K.S.A. 8-235d. Ask KDOR whether a driver education certificate can stand in for any part.
Back to the main guide: Learning to drive in Kansas. Test details: Kansas written driving test.
Sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-296 Farm permit; requirements; procedure” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-235d Applications for licenses; examinations” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-240 Drivers’ licenses and instruction permits; fees” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Graduated Driver License Requirements for Teen Drivers” (ksrevenue.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Kansas Credential Permission, Farm Permit, Parental Form” (ksrevenue.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Kansas Driving Handbook, Non-Commercial Driver’s Manual” (ksrevenue.gov)