What you need to do to get a Kansas driver's license

To get a Kansas driver's license, you will visit your local Driver Examination Office, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The process takes a few visits spread over weeks or months — you cannot walk in and leave with a license the same day. Kansas issues licenses to people 16 and older, and the steps differ slightly depending on whether you are a first-time driver, renewing an expired license, or moving to Kansas from another state.

The Kansas Department of Revenue's Division of Vehicles runs the licensing system. You can find your nearest Driver Examination Office and check its hours on the KDOR website. Most offices are open weekday mornings and some afternoons, but hours vary by location.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Driver Examination Office in person with proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
  • First-time drivers must pass a written knowledge test, a vision screening, and a road test before receiving a license.
  • The written test covers traffic laws and safe driving; you can study using the Kansas Driver's Manual, available free on the KDOR website.
  • Road tests are scheduled weeks in advance at most offices, so plan ahead if you need a license by a certain date.
  • The license fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $36.50 for an eight-year license, paid at the time you pass your road test.

Documents you must bring to the Driver Examination Office

Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. You need proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a permanent resident card. A school ID or work ID does not count. If your name has changed since your identity document was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

For proof of Kansas residency, bring one document dated within the last 60 days showing your current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a property tax bill. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency.

For your Social Security number or ITIN, bring your Social Security card, a tax return, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can request an ITIN from the IRS; bring documentation of that request to the office.

The written knowledge test and what it covers

The written test has 50 multiple-choice questions about Kansas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly to pass. The test is given on a computer at the Driver Examination Office, and you take it during your first visit.

Study material is free. The Kansas Driver's Manual is available as a PDF on the KDOR website and covers everything the test asks about. Many people also study using the KDOR's online practice tests, which are free and let you take the test as many times as you want before your real test. Some Driver Examination Offices also have printed manuals available.

You can retake the written test if you fail, but you must wait one day before trying again. Each attempt costs $5. Most people pass on their first try if they study the manual.

Scheduling and taking your road test

After you pass the written test, the office staff will help you schedule your road test. Most offices book tests weeks in advance, so your test date may be a month or more away. Write down the date and time, and arrive 15 minutes early on the day of your test.

For the road test, you must bring the vehicle you will be driving — it must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. Bring proof of insurance and the vehicle's registration. The examiner will check that the vehicle's lights, wipers, horn, and brakes work, then you will drive on local roads for about 15 to 20 minutes while the examiner watches and scores your driving.

You are tested on basic skills: starting and stopping smoothly, turning, parking, following traffic signals, and staying in your lane. The examiner is looking for safe, controlled driving, not perfection. If you fail, you can retake the test, but you must wait one day and pay another $5 fee.

Renewing or replacing an expired Kansas license

If your Kansas license expired less than two years ago, you can renew it by mail or online without taking another test. Visit the KDOR website to renew online, or request a renewal form by mail. The fee is the same as for a new license.

If your license expired more than two years ago, you must return to a Driver Examination Office and retake the written test and road test, just as a first-time driver does. You do not need to bring proof of residency again if you are still living at the address on your expired license.

If your license was lost or stolen, report it to your local police department and get a case number. Bring that number to the Driver Examination Office along with your identity and residency documents. You will retake the written and road tests.

Moving to Kansas from another state

If you hold a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to retake the written and road tests. Instead, you can exchange your out-of-state license for a Kansas license by visiting a Driver Examination Office with your out-of-state license, proof of Kansas residency, and proof of your Social Security number or ITIN. You will pay the license fee and receive your Kansas license on the spot.

If your out-of-state license is expired, you must retake the written and road tests as if you were a first-time driver. Bring the same documents as a new applicant.

License types and restrictions for younger drivers

Kansas issues different types of licenses based on age. A learner's permit is for people 14 and older who are learning to drive; it allows you to drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. A restricted license is for people 16 and 17; it has limits on when you can drive and who can be in the car. A full license is for people 18 and older with no restrictions.

To get a learner's permit, you must pass the written test. To upgrade from a learner's permit to a restricted license, you must pass the road test. To upgrade from a restricted license to a full license, you must wait until you turn 18 — no additional test is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online instead of at the office?

No. You must visit a Driver Examination Office in person to take the written test and the road test. However, you can study using the free online practice tests on the KDOR website before you go.

What if I fail the road test?

You can retake it after waiting one day and paying another $5 fee. The examiner will tell you what you did wrong so you can practice those skills. Many people pass on their second or third attempt.

How long does a Kansas driver's license last?

You can choose a four-year license for $24.50 or an eight-year license for $36.50. Both are valid for driving during that time. You renew by mail or online if your license is less than two years expired.

Do I need a Social Security number to get a Kansas license?

You need either a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have either, you can request an ITIN from the IRS and bring documentation of that request to the Driver Examination Office.

What happens if I move to a different address in Kansas?

You must update your address with the KDOR. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Examination Office. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days.