Minimum age for a car driving licence in Kansas (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: An instruction permit is available from 14, and a restricted licence from 15 after a year on the permit, limited at first to work, farm and school journeys. No unrestricted licence is issued under 17. A nonresident aged 16 or over with a valid home licence may drive.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 14 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A restricted class C licence is open from 15 to a person who has completed an approved driver training course, held an instruction permit for at least one year with 25 hours of adult supervised driving, and applies with a parent's or guardian's written application. At 15 it allows driving for work or farm work and, on school days, between home and school. No driver's licence is issued to a person under 17 other than a restricted licence or a farm permit; a farm permit is available from 14 to a person living or working on a farm. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A nonresident aged at least 16 who holds a valid licence issued in the home state or country may operate a class C motor vehicle in Kansas without a Kansas licence. [3] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 14 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | A restricted licence at 15 requires 25 hours of adult supervised driving on the instruction permit; by 16 a parent or guardian must certify 50 hours in total, at least 10 of them at night, supervised by a licensed adult aged 21 or over. [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | At 15 a restricted licence allows unsupervised driving only for work, farm work, school and religious activities (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.). For six months from 16 (or from issue at 16), unsupervised driving is allowed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus trips for work, school activities or religious activities. [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A restricted licence holder under 16 may not carry non-sibling minor passengers; from 16, for six months, no more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family. [1] |
Notes
- This is the age for the restricted licence, which allows driving for work, farm work and school only at 15. No unrestricted driver's licence is issued under 17.
Sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 8-2,101 - Restricted license; conditions, restrictions and requirements (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 8-2,100 - Instruction permits; under 17 years of age (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 8-236 - Persons exempt from license (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Kansas and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 15 (restricted licence) | 14 (instruction permit) | Restricted licence from 15; full from 17 | Yes, 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Colorado | 16 (minor licence) | 15 (learner's permit) | 12 months on permit, 50 hours logged, then 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (instruction permit) | Intermediate licence at 16 after 6 months with a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | 16 (provisional operator's permit) | 15 (learner's permit) | Provisional permit at 16; Class O after 12 months | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 with driver education; otherwise 16 | Learner permit at 15 with driver education | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
More rules in Kansas
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: No (felony)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (urban districts) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 65 mph; 55 mph on county roads
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed retail; bottle rockets banned)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Only with intent to use unlawfully · Locking or one-handed knives: No switchblade or locking-knife rule
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $7.25 per hour (state law)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, age 14+ · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, age 14+ (adults: secondary enforcement)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.