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A Kansas restricted license lets a teen drive alone, but only for certain trips, at certain hours and with limited passengers. You can get one at 15 or at 16 under K.S.A. 8-2,101, which is part of Kansas’s GDL law known as Cody’s Law. This page sets out exactly what each version allows, from the statute itself.
Key facts
- At 15: approved driver education, a permit held for at least 1 year, 25 supervised hours and a parent’s written application.
- At 16: a permit held for at least 1 year and a signed affidavit for 50 supervised hours, 10 of them at night.
- Hours at 16 (for six months): 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus set trips at any time.
- Passengers: none who are non-sibling minors at 15. From 16, for six months, no more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family.
- No wireless device use while driving, except to report illegal activity or call for emergency help.
Who can get a Kansas restricted license?
| Requirement | Restricted at 15 | Restricted at 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 15 | 16 (under 17) |
| Instruction permit held | At least 1 year | At least 1 year |
| Driver education | Approved course required | Not required by the statute |
| Supervised driving before the license | 25 hours | 50 hours, including 10 at night |
| Further affidavit | Before you turn 16: 25 more hours (50 in total, including 10 at night) | None |
| Parent or guardian | Written application required | Signs the 50-hour affidavit |
A permit from another state or DC counts toward the 15-year-old route if it has equal or greater requirements. KDOR says time on a driver’s education permit does not count toward the one-year holding period.
What can you do on a restricted license at 15 in Kansas?
Until you turn 16, you may drive at any time only:
- to or from, or as part of, a job, employment or farm-related work
- on school days, by the most direct route between home and your school, to attend school
- from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., directly to or from a religious activity held by a religious organization
- with a licensed adult (class A, B, C or commercial) sitting beside you
Passengers: no non-sibling minors at all. In practice, a friend from school can’t ride with you, but your younger brother can.
What can a 16-year-old do on a Kansas restricted license?
For six months, starting when you turn 16 (if you started at 15) or when your license is issued at 16, you may drive:
- for any purpose from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- at any hour to or from, or as part of, work or farm-related work
- to or from authorized school activities
- directly to or from a religious activity
- at any time with a licensed adult beside you
Passengers: no more than one passenger under 18 who isn’t a member of your immediate family.
Scenario: Friday night game
You are 16, three months into your restricted license, and the school game ends at 10 p.m. Driving home from an authorized school activity is allowed after 9 p.m. Taking two non-family friends home is not, because the limit is one passenger under 18 who isn’t family.
Phone rules on a Kansas restricted license
You may not operate a wireless communication device while driving. The only exceptions are reporting illegal activity or calling for medical or other emergency help (K.S.A. 8-2,101(e)). This is stricter than the texting ban for all Kansas drivers. The statute doesn’t say whether the phone ban ends with the six-month period, so check with KDOR. See also hands-free and texting laws for US drivers.
When do Kansas restrictions end?
Under the statute, the six-month period at 16 ends and you can drive without these restrictions, provided you complied with the rules. The schedule can slip:
- Started at 15 and never filed the 50-hour affidavit: you stay on the age-15 restrictions until you file it or turn 17, whichever comes first.
- Two or more moving violations on separate occasions before 16: you keep the age-15 restrictions until 17.
- Two or more moving violations between 16 and 17: you keep restrictions until 18.
Separately, Kansas can’t issue a brand-new license with no restrictions to anyone under 17 (K.S.A. 8-237). KDOR’s own summary describes the license without restrictions as the age-17 stage.
Penalties for breaking restricted license rules
- Breaking any restriction leads to suspension of the restricted license.
- Breaking a passenger rule counts as a moving traffic violation.
- Two or more crashes chargeable to you: suspension, with no reinstatement for one year.
Common questions
What time can a 16-year-old drive in Kansas?
For six months: from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for any purpose, and at other hours only for work, school activities, religious activities or with a licensed adult beside you.
How many passengers can a 15-year-old have in Kansas?
None who are non-sibling minors. Siblings are allowed.
Can a 15-year-old in Kansas drive to a friend’s house?
Not alone. At 15 you may drive alone only to work, school or religious activities. Any other trip needs a licensed adult beside you.
Do I need driver’s ed for a restricted license at 16?
The statute requires it only at 15. At 16 you need a permit held for one year and the 50-hour affidavit.
Can I use GPS on my phone on a Kansas restricted license?
The statute bans operating a wireless communication device while driving, with only two emergency exceptions. Set your route before you start the car and ask KDOR about mounted navigation.
Does a Kansas restricted license let me drive a motorcycle?
Only a restricted class M license does, with its own adult-accompaniment rules.
Related: Learning to drive in Kansas, Kansas 50 hour affidavit, Kansas farm permit, GDL laws by state compared.
Sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-2,101 Restricted license; conditions, restrictions and requirements” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-2,102 Cody’s law” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-237 Persons to whom license not issued” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-15,111 Text messaging, prohibited” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Graduated Driver License Requirements for Teen Drivers” (ksrevenue.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Regarding Graduated Driver License Requirements for Teen Drivers” comparison chart (ksrevenue.gov)