Getting a Kansas Driver's License: The Basic Path
A Kansas driver's license is issued by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles. You will need to visit a driver's license office in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and provide proof of identity and Kansas residency. The whole process typically takes several weeks from start to finish, though you can get a temporary permit to drive while you wait for your permanent license to arrive by mail.
Kansas offers three main types of driver's licenses: a standard Class D license for regular driving, a commercial Class A, B, or C license if you drive trucks or buses for work, and a motorcycle endorsement if you ride. The requirements and tests differ slightly for each, but the basic steps are the same for all of them.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Kansas driver's license office in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of Kansas residency to begin the process.
- You will take a written knowledge test covering traffic laws and road signs, then a practical driving test with a licensed examiner in your own vehicle.
- Kansas issues a temporary permit on the day you pass both tests, allowing you to drive when ready while your permanent license is mailed to you.
- If you are under 16, you must complete a driver's education course and hold a learner's permit for a set period before you can take the driving test.
- Renewal happens every six years by mail or online, though you must visit an office in person if your license has expired for more than one year.
What Documents You Need to Bring
The Kansas Department of Revenue requires specific documents before you can test. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued ID that proves your identity and date of birth. You will also need to provide your Social Security number — bring your Social Security card or a tax return or W-2 that shows it.
For proof that you live in Kansas, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current Kansas address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, you can bring a notarized letter from your landlord or a family member stating that you live at that address.
Bring your current driver's license if you have one from another state, even if it is expired. If you are renewing a Kansas license, bring the old license itself. Bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance for the driving test — the examiner will check that your car is roadworthy and insured before you drive.
The Written Test and What It Covers
The Kansas written test has 25 questions about traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 20 questions correctly to pass. The test covers speed limits, right-of-way rules, what different road signs mean, how to handle emergency vehicles, parking rules, and what to do in bad weather or at night.
Kansas provides a free study guide called the "Kansas Driver's Manual" on the Department of Revenue website. You can read it online or request a printed copy at any driver's license office. Many people study the manual for a few days before taking the test. You can take the written test as many times as you need — there is no limit on attempts, though you must pay the test fee each time.
The test is offered in English and Spanish. If you need the test in another language, contact your local driver's license office to ask what arrangements can be made. You will take the test on a computer at the office, and you will know whether you passed before you leave.
The Driving Test: What the Examiner Will Check
After you pass the written test, you will schedule a driving test with a licensed examiner. The test takes about 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, your ability to follow traffic laws, and your awareness of other drivers and pedestrians. The examiner will ask you to perform tasks like parallel parking, backing up, making turns, and stopping smoothly. They will also watch how you handle intersections, merge into traffic, and respond to other vehicles.
Bring your own vehicle to the test — it must be clean enough for the examiner to see out the windows, have working brakes and lights, and be insured and registered. The examiner will check these things before you start driving. You must wear a seatbelt at all times, and the examiner will be wearing one too. If you fail the driving test, you can schedule another one, though you will pay the test fee again.
You do not need to pass the written test before you take the driving test — you can take them on the same day or on different days. Many people pass the written test, schedule the driving test for a later date, and practice driving in the meantime.
Getting Your Temporary Permit and Permanent License
On the day you pass both tests, the driver's license office will issue you a temporary permit — a paper document that allows you to drive legally while you wait for your permanent license. The temporary permit is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address you provided, usually within 7 to 10 business days.
If you do not receive your permanent license within two weeks, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue to check the status. If your address changes before the license arrives, you can update it online or at a driver's license office, and the license will be reissued to your new address.
Your permanent Kansas driver's license is valid for six years from the date it is issued. The expiration date is printed on the front of the license. You can renew by mail or online starting 6 months before the expiration date, or you can visit an office in person. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must visit an office and take the written test again.
Special Rules for Drivers Under 16
If you are under 16, Kansas requires you to complete a driver's education course before you can get a learner's permit. The course is offered by high schools, private driving schools, and online providers. After you finish the course, you will receive a certificate of completion that you must bring to the driver's license office.
With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed adult 21 or older is sitting next to you in the front seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you must follow all traffic laws. You must hold the learner's permit for at least 14 days before you can take the driving test. Many young drivers hold it for several months while they practice.
Once you pass the driving test, you will receive a provisional license valid until you turn 17. A provisional license has restrictions: you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent or guardian is in the car, and you cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old unless a parent is present. These restrictions lift when you turn 17.
Renewing Your Kansas Driver's License
You can renew your Kansas driver's license online, by mail, or in person. Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can renew online starting 6 months before your license expires.
If you renew by mail, send your current license and the renewal form (available on the Department of Revenue website) to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee. Mail renewal takes about two weeks.
If you renew in person at a driver's license office, bring your current license and proof of Kansas residency. In-person renewal takes a few minutes and you can walk out with a temporary permit the same day. Your permanent license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Kansas driver's license cost?
A new Class D driver's license costs $20. A commercial license or motorcycle endorsement costs more. Renewal by mail or online costs $20. Renewal in person costs $20. The written test and driving test each have separate fees as well, though the exact amounts vary by office.
Can I take the written test online from home?
No. You must visit a Kansas driver's license office in person to take the written test and the driving test. You cannot take either test remotely. However, you can study the Kansas Driver's Manual online before you go to the office.
What if I fail the driving test?
You can schedule another driving test. There is no limit on how many times you can take it. You will pay the test fee each time. Many people take it two or three times before they pass. You do not need to retake the written test unless your written test result has expired.
Do I need to take a vision test?
Yes. The driver's license office will test your vision as part of the licensing process. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the vision test and during your driving test. If you fail the vision test, you may be required to see an eye doctor and bring a report before you can get a license.
Can I get a Real ID compliant Kansas driver's license?
Yes. A Real ID compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and can be used for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. You can request a Real ID license when you explore for a new license or renew. You will need to bring additional documents proving your identity and residency, and the license costs a few dollars more than a standard license.