 | Mike Johnson,
owner and instructor of Wichita Driving School, has been involved in driver education since 1991. Having taught and coached for 5 years in the public school system, he has been involved in private driver education since 1996. Wichita Driving School is licensed by the state of Kansas, and offers teen and adult driver education strongly emphasizing defensive driving. Mike holds a current Kansas Teaching Certificate and is certified by the National Safety Council. You can contact Mike at (316) 651-0848 or e-mail Wichitadriving@cs.com. Visit the website at: www.wichitadrivingschool.com |
Safety
2004-04-01 11:46:00
Getting that restricted license
Question: What are the laws, requirements, and procedures for getting my teenager her restricted drivers license?
ANSWER: In Kansas, a teenager can obtain a restricted license at age 15. This type of driver's license allows the student to drive only: • to school (one trip per day during school days only) • to work, employment, and/or job related errands • with an adult only, that holds a valid drivers license. No minor passengers are allowed to ride with a restricted driver, the only exception being siblings.Summer school, church, sports, and other extracurricular activities do not apply. There is an agricultural provision in KS that allows farm kids to obtain their restricted license at age 14.To obtain a restricted license, your child must fulfill the following requirements:• Be the holder of an Instructional Permit for a minimum of 6 months. An I.P. can be obtained at age 14 and up by taking a written test at a Driver's License Office, or by participating in a driver education course.• Successfully complete a driver education course and earn the Certificate of Completion.• Completing 50 hours of practice with a parent or guardian, with 10 of the hours occurring at night. There is a provision that allows for 25 practice hours, but the teenager must go back to the D.L. Office at age 16 to get a new license. Students, who have completed the 50 hours prior, will not have to go back at age 16, because their Restricted License will automatically turn into a regular driver's license at age 16. Also, the parent or guardian is required to sign an affidavit at the D.L. Office confirming the completion of the practice hours.Students who wait too long to get an Instructional Permit, will not be able to obtain a restricted license. At age 16 they can get their regular driver's license. The 50 hours of practice is still required for anyone under the age of 18. And at any age, The Certificate of Completion allows the perspective driver to obtain their driver's license without any testing, except the eye exam, which is performed at the Driver's License Office.In Wichita, the Driver's License Offices are located at Twin Lakes Shopping Center (21st & Amidon) and the Andover Shopping Center (Central & Andover Rd.).In 1998, the Kansas Legislature followed the lead of other states, and formed new laws that changed the procedure for obtaining restricted licenses and drivers' licenses. "Graduating Licensing" is designed to give teens a better-rounded driver training experience, which in turn makes them more successful on the road, which is a good thing for all of us!
