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Mike Johnson
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
Driving & Safety
2007-11-01 08:42:00
How do teens get qualified to drive?

My teenager is 15 years of age and would like to drive to school and work. How do they get qualified to drive, and what are the requirements for obtaining the restricted license?

Keep in mind most students must be 15 years old to get a restricted license. But at age 14, teens can get a permit, practice with parents, and even take Driver Ed.

To obtain a Restricted License, a beginning driver must fulfill the following requirements:

• Successfully complete a Driver Education Program. Graduated Licensing Laws, which were passed in Kansas in 1999, require all students under the age of 16 to complete a Driver Education Course. Students 14 or older, can either take such a course from their local high school, or from a private driving school. The Certificate of Completion earned by passing the Driver Ed course allows one to get the Restricted License at the DMV or Driver‘s License Office. (The only testing usually required is the eye test)

Note: The Restricted License allows one to drive by themselves to school and work, or with an adult which has a valid driver‘s license. No minor passengers (besides siblings) are allowed to ride with a restricted driver.

• Be the holder of an Instructional Permit for a minimum of 6 months. An I.P. can be obtained at age 14 or more by taking a written test at the DMV, or by participating in a Driver Education course. This 6-month rule no longer applies at age 16 or more.

• Complete 50 hours of practice with a parent or guardian, with 10 of the hours occurring at night. The 50 hours of practice are required for anyone under age 18.

• Students 16 or older can also get their license by providing the Driver Ed Certificate of Completion to the DMV. (The only testing usually required is the eye test)

Starting at age 16, teens which bypass driver education must complete a written test and driving test at the DMV to get their license.

• For 15 year olds, there is a provision that allows for 25 practice hours, but a teen must go back to the DMV at age 16 to renew their license. Students, which 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 DMV confirming the completion of the practice hours. In 1999, 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!

 
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