Driver Ed FAQ

Kansas as of March 24, 2025 Kansas has now an expanded mover over law that requires an automobile to move over for  ANY vehicle with emergency flashing lights on and displayed. This is to give space and room to anyone tending to an automobile while on the side of the road in a disabled automobile.  This expands the requirement that previously only stated moving over for first responders responding to or on the side of the roadway.  Remember to slow down, quickly assess the situation and move over to give space to ANYONE on the shoulder or side of the roadway.   

A full Olathe Driving School Package will meet the minimum requirements set forth by the state of Kansas.

This includes: 

• 8 hours of in-class instruction
  • KS Handbook exam
  • Olathe Driving School curriculum 
• 3- Two-Hour Behind the Wheel (BTW) Lessons 

Note: At times, a driving instructor may request additional BTW time due to the need for observed mastery of BTW competencies. The most impactful influence of this need is practice!

Taking safe incremental steps while practicing with your teen is vital for a successful driver education program. Educational knowledge is a step, but time for practical application is a must! 

If you find yourself and your teen wanting more BTW time, let's chat. You may also request additional a la carte 2-hour drive time.  Reach out, and we will work out what you and your teen need. All time spent BTW can be documented and applied towards the required 50-hour affidavit. 

As a state approved program we are required to follow the same regulations as the driver license office in Kansas. Each student must have and bring each of the following documents:

1. Proof of Lawful Presence: Original State-Issued Birth Certificate or U.S. Passport.

2. Social Security Card: Must be the original card (no copies).

3. Proof of Residency: Two pieces of mail. Since the teen lives with you, we usually use your utility bills or bank statements.

Source: 

How do I cancel and reschedule a BTW period?

GDL stands for Graduated Driver License, and in the state of Kansas, there are specific regulations for each stage. The current age of the teen is a primary factor. While it may seem inconvenient to some, the GDL is designed to enhance the opportunity for a safe experience for all Kansas teen drivers as they begin to learn and work towards mastering the skills required to drive an automobile and towards full licensure. 

Kansas has the following: 

• Instruction Permit- Ages 14,15,16
• Farm Permit- Ages 14, 15
• Less Restricted Farm Permit- Age 16
• Restricted Driver License- Age 15
• Less Restricted Driver License- Age 16
• Non-Restricted Driver License- Ages 17 and older

Specific age requirements are followed that are determined by the state of Kansas, and regulations must be met to make "progress" from a KS Driver's Permit to a KS Driver's License.  We make every effort to stay informed and up to date on state regulations. However, the State of Kansas and its governmental departments have the final authority to determine whether students have met the requirements for issuance of permits and licenses.

Here is a great resource for referencing each step and specific regulations or requirements.   

Graduated Driver License Requirements for Kansas Teen Drivers

Students must be at least 14 years old or older to take a Olathe Driving School course.  State regulations and accepted documents outlined by the state of Kansas are used to determine potential eligibility for taking a course.  Students taking Behind the Wheel lessons must have a valid state issued permit. The state of Kansas may deem a student ineligible and the state has the final say in this. If a student is not eligible according to the state we will work with you on an individual and confidential manner. 

This is what can at times be the most challenging aspect of customer service, refund requests.  

Partial refunds are only considered if it is requested within 48 hours of purchasing a service, less processing fees of 100. Please double check your and your teens calendars prior to finalizing a date for a class. 

Please consider to do your best to make something work and all reasonable effort to attend the scheduled class and drive lessons.  We understand that illness and unpredicted events happen in life and can affect planned schedules. Events like that are out of anyone's control. While it may not be the most pressing item on your calendar communication is vital to avoid being charged a late notice or no call/no show fees for a lesson or class.  While it is best to communicate with a 48 hour notice expectation. If something prevents this, still please communicate and we will work out a time to reschedule and what charges are applicable. Our drivers and educators offer their valuable time for lessons and classes. Hence, the need for a 75.00 charge if this was to take place. 

Once a student has taken a class or a class and BTW lesson(s) no refunds for loss time or non-service can be considered.  

Thank you for your understanding a patience. 

The answer to this question is unique and age dependent.  There are a couple of key aspects that determines potential actions you can take. Common options are:  

• Retake the full course and request to be on a  "fast track" towards full completion.  IF you have had a KS permit for a full year or near a full year. 
• Take the exam and driving test at the KS Driver License Office nearest you. 
• Take the KS driving handbook exam online, book a KS Driving test at an office nearest you. 

Every student's situation is unique depending upon age, the kind of permit had and license sought after.  To discuss your situation please contact our office and we will work with you helping you or your student towards their driver education needs. 

Being nervous and having anxiety is a natural response to learning how to drive as a teen and/or new driver. It takes practice and time to become a safe and competent driver.  If you or a student is nervous, please share this. We are compassionate and will listen to concerns, anxiety and worries to ensure you are heard and listened to. We beleive our role is to embrace being a partner in this endeavor! Hiding anxiety and being nervousness can compound a lesson and challenge the learning environment.  Voicing your concerns and worry is strongly encouraged.  While voicing concerns we can work towards answering questions and provide the most up to date and accurate information while striving to do our best to go at your pace while still encouraging a safe learning environment to foster growth as a new driver.  

Cancellation by the driving school of any lesson or class for inclimate weather is NOT anyone's fault nor should anyone be punished for a canceled class or lesson.  Safety is the top priority and this can included predicted or not predicted weather events.  Weather can change in KS and it is our top priority to ensure a safe lesson and work towards a less stressful experience. While you may consider or believe that slick roads or inclimate weather is an opportunity as a parent, as a driving school we believe it is a liability and must be avoided. If there is a predicted severe weather event that could impact driving conditions you will be notified by your driving instructor to reschedule without a fee and penalty. If the student is concerned or you as a parent are concerned please make your driving instructor aware as well. 

This is why it is important to schedule drives in advance to avoid potential challenges of lessons going beyond the year anniversary of taking the in class portion of the full course.  We are bound to the year anniversary of you taking the class per KS state statute.  

In the state of Kansas, any person who wants to take a driver education course must be at least 14 years old on the date of taking the in-person 8-hour course. 

Students under 14 years old will not be allowed to begin the course and must wait.  However, students may register if they are not yet 14, but only if their date of birth is before or on the day they sit in the class. This is to comply with KAR(Kansas Administrative Regulations) Article 5(91-5-7). 

No, successful online portal enrollment does not guarantee course enrollment. Course enrollment is only considered successful when all  required original documents are presented and DE-99 Portal- Application by the student is completed and KS state requirements are all met.

Students may successfully enroll by meeting the following criteria: 

• Have not had your license suspended, revoked, denied, or cancelled (in other words you are disqualified from your driving privileges)
•  Are lawfully present in the United States
•  Pass required medical requirements for the type of Driver's License desired
• Have not been found by a court to be mentally incompetent, have a substance or alcohol abuse problem, or be a habitual user of illegal drugs
•  Have no unpaid fines for moving traffic violations

If the state of Kansas deems a student ineligible ODS has no jurisdiction to change the status. The student affected should make contact with the department of revenue driver licensing office to remediate any concerns.  

Additional information can be viewed a the KSDOR website.