The stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve may turn coaches into pumpkins for some teenaged drivers.
Teens who will reach age plateaus for the different types of drivers’ licenses available to them may want to start the application process now, if their birth dates will allow.
The new laws affecting instruction and farm permits, restricted licenses and unrestricted licenses go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. New categories or rules affecting unrestricted driver’s licenses and “lesser restricted” licenses and farm permits have been created.
The key to obtaining a license under the current, less-restrictive, laws is the answer to this question, provided by Chief Drivers’ License Examiner Terry Mitchell of the Kansas Department of Revenue:
Did you, or will you, obtain an instruction permit, farm permit or restricted license prior to Jan. 1, 2010?
“If the answer to that question is ‘No,’ then all of the new requirements and restrictions that take effect on Jan. 1, 2010, are what apply to you,” the KDOR Web site states.
The question is an introduction to a comparison chart that contrasts current law to the new law passed by the Kansas Legislature.
Those whose birthdays fall within the magic dates, and who have started the licensing process, will be able to have fully unrestricted licenses when they turn 16.
“Grandfathering, I guess for a better term to use, is the fact that everything up until 12 o’clock, Jan. 1, 2010, between now and then, everybody that falls under the guidelines now. That’s how it stays,” Mitchell said. “This doesn’t take effect.”
The change will be challenging for law-enforcement officers, in determining when a teen driver actually received his or her instruction permit or restricted license. Licenses lost and replaced using different issuance dates, will compound the problem.
“They’re going to have to decide, did you get this before the license date or did you get it after,” Mitchell said.
Teens who begin the process after Jan. 1 will receive “lesser restricted” licenses between the ages of 16 and 16 1/2 or 17, depending upon the circumstances.
Mitchell said that the new law also prohibits teens from using cell phones while they drive.
The law for the new “lesser restricted license” for youngsters at least 16 years old but less than 17 are:
• Testing: vision, written, driving, or certificate of completion from driver education
• Parental approval not required
• Driver education not required
• Instruction permit required, must have held at least one year
• 50-hour affidavit required
• Driving restrictions:
a. anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
b. any time going to or from work
c. drive any time going to or from authorized school activities
d. any time, anywhere with licensed adult
• No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to summon medical or emeregency help
• No more than one passenger who is less than 18 and who is not a member of the licensee’s immediate family
• After licensee has held the restricted driver’s license for six months, if they have complied with all laws, the restrictions will no longer apply.
The law for the new “lesser restricted farm permit” for ages 16- to 17-year-olds includes:
• Testing: vision, written, driving, or certificate of completion from driver education
• No parental approval, driver education or instruction permit required
• 50-hour affidavit required
• Driving restrictions:
a. Anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
b. Anywhere to or from farm job, employment or other farm-related work
c. Anytime going to or from authorized school activities
d. Anytime, anywhere with licensed adult
• No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to summon medical or emergency help
• No more than one passenger who is less than 18 and who is not a member of the licensee’s immediate family
• After after licensee has held the restricted Farm Permit for six months, if they have complied with all laws, the restrictions will no longer apply.
Highlights of the changes or additions to the laws for existing categories, shown in boldface, are:
Instruction Permit, minimum 14 years old
• Licensed adult in front seat at all times, minimum age 21
• No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to summon medical or emergency help
• One year to advance to restricted license
Farm permit, 14- and 15-year-olds
• Must provide 50-hour affidavit prior to 16 to move to “lesser restrictions”
• No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to summon medical or emergency help
Restricted license, 15 years old
• Instruction permit required, must have held at least one year
• Must provide 50-hour affidavit prior to 16 to move to “lesser restrictions”
• No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to summon medical or emergency help
Unrestricted license
• Minimum 17 years old
“Really, it’s good restrictions,” Mitchell said of the changes. “I’m one of these that always have said this is one of the most critical times in young people’s lives. ... The state may set these guidelines but parents still need to be parents.”
Complete information, and comparisons of former laws to the upcoming laws may be seen on the KDOR Web site at http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/GDL_public.pdf
Comments
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kseyetie (anonymous) says...
Back when I was young, I had a restricted license....it was called my FATHER!
September 28, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
My daughter will be relieved to know she will be able to get her unrestricted license next spring at 16 according to Mitchell's comments about grandfathering(if it's actually true or not changed between now and then).
I bought my first car with my own money at 14 and had a learners permit then. My insurance, which I paid for on my own along with all other expenses associated with the car, was $67 every six months. At 15, I received my restricted license and drove to and from school and to work following practice. At 16, I got my regular license. This bill is another fine example everyone having to suffer because of the bad apples and the influence of the insurance lobby.
I bought my oldest a car just after her 16th birthday. Her liability only insurance costs more than the full coverage insurance on my truck and Comp on the vehicle driven by the wife and I. I quizzed my agent why we were being penalized considering she is a honor student that has a spotless driving record? I knew why, because they can get away with it following their lobbying work at the Legislature for the bill that requires us to buy their policies. Also, it seems to be the new American way to have everyone pay for the stupid people.
September 28, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dml (anonymous) says...
How will I be able to tell if someone working for me on the farm has a farm permit?
September 28, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )