Kansas Teen Driving Laws: A Parent's Guide to the GDL Program

For a teenager in Kansas, getting a driver's license is a rite of passage. For parents, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of responsibility and concern. To address this, Kansas has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program for all drivers under the age of 17.

These laws are not designed to be inconvenient; they are a data-driven safety system created to protect new, inexperienced drivers by limiting their exposure to the highest-risk driving scenarios. For these laws to be effective, both teens and parents must understand and enforce them as a team.

The Foundation: The Learner's Permit Phase (Age 14)

The journey begins with a learner's permit, which is all about supervised practice.

Mandatory One-Year Holding Period: A teen must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of one full year, conviction-free, before they are eligible to take their road test for a restricted license.
The Driving Log: During this one-year period, a parent or legal guardian must supervise and certify that the teen has completed practice driving.
- To get a restricted license at 15, they need 25 hours.
- To get a less-restricted license at 16, they need 50 hours, with at least 10 hours at night.
Supervision Rule: During the entire permit phase, the teen must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and is seated in the front passenger seat.

The Restricted License (Age 15)

After successfully completing the permit phase and a driver's education course, a 15-year-old can take the road test to earn a restricted license.

Key Restrictions on a Restricted License:

Limited Purpose Driving: A 15-year-old CANNOT drive just for fun. They may only drive unsupervised:
- To or from school or work, via the most direct route.
Supervision Required for All Other Driving: For any other driving, they must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.

The Less-Restricted License (Age 16)

At age 16, a teen can graduate to a license with fewer, but still critical, restrictions.

1. Nighttime Driving Curfew

A 16-year-old driver CANNOT drive between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Exceptions: This curfew is waived if the teen is driving to or from work or a school activity.

2. Passenger Restrictions

This is one of the most important GDL rules.

A 16-year-old driver CANNOT transport more than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not a sibling.

3. The Mobile Device Ban

This rule is simple and strict. Drivers under the age of 18 are PROHIBITED from using any cell phone or other wireless communication device while driving. The only exception is for reporting an emergency.

The Full Unrestricted License (Age 17)

At age 17, if a teen has maintained a clean driving record, all GDL restrictions are lifted, and they can obtain a full, unrestricted license.

The Parent's Crucial Role

The GDL laws provide the legal framework, but a parent's reinforcement is what truly creates a safe driver.

Know the Rules: Be an expert on the curfew and passenger restrictions so you can enforce them correctly.
Lead by Example: Your teen learned their driving habits from watching you. Put your phone away, obey the speed limit, and always wear your seat belt.
Create a Driving Contract: A written parent-teen agreement that outlines the rules and consequences can be a powerful tool for setting expectations beyond what the law requires.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate Kansas's GDL program, ensuring the path to driving freedom is a safe one that builds a lifetime of responsible habits.