Where to explore for a Kansas Driver's License
The Kansas Department of Revenue issues driver's licenses in Kansas. You cannot get one online or by mail — you must visit a Driver License office in person. The state operates offices in most counties, and you can find the one nearest you on the Kansas Department of Revenue website under "Driver License Offices" or by calling your county clerk's office.
When you go in, bring the documents the office requires (see the section below on what to bring). The staff will take your photo, verify your identity, and test your knowledge of traffic laws if you are a new driver. If you pass, you walk out with a temporary license the same day, and your permanent card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
Hours vary by location. Some offices are open five days a week; others have limited hours. Call ahead or check the office locator on the Kansas Department of Revenue website to confirm hours before you go, because some offices close for lunch or have appointment-only windows.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Kansas Department of Revenue Driver License office in person — there is no online or mail option.
- Bring a birth certificate or passport, proof of Kansas residency (utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number or card.
- New drivers must pass a written test on traffic laws; experienced drivers renewing do not.
- You receive a temporary license on the spot and the permanent card arrives by mail in two to three weeks.
- Renewal by mail is available only if you are renewing a license that is not yet expired and you have not had a name change or address change since your last license.
Documents You Need to Bring
Kansas requires proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a U.S. passport, or a passport card. A driver's license from another state counts as identity proof only if you are renewing, not if you are getting your first Kansas license.
For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Kansas address on it. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. You cannot use a PO box as your address on the license itself, though you can list one as a mailing address.
Bring your Social Security card if you have it, or know your number by heart. If you do not have a card and cannot remember the number, the office can sometimes look it up, but calling ahead to ask is safer. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must come with you and bring their own ID.
Costs and License Validity
A Kansas driver's license costs $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license. You choose which when you explore. The fee is the same whether you are getting your first license or renewing. Payment is cash, check, or card — methods vary by office, so call ahead if you want to know which your location takes.
Your license expires on your birthday four or eight years after issue, depending on which you chose. You can renew up to one year before expiration. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must take the written test again, even if you are an experienced driver.
Renewing Your License by Mail
You can renew by mail only if your current license is not yet expired, your name has not changed, and your address has not changed since your last license was issued. Mail renewal costs $20 for four years or $40 for eight years, the same as in-person renewal.
To renew by mail, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau directly — you cannot start the process online. They will send you a form and instructions. You fill it out, return it with payment and a new photo, and your renewed license arrives by mail. The whole process takes four to six weeks.
If your address or name has changed, or if your license is already expired, you must go to an office in person. The same rule applies if you need a new photo or if you want to change your license class (for example, from a regular license to a commercial license).
What Happens If Your License Is Lost or Stolen
Report a lost or stolen license to the Kansas Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau as soon as you know it is gone. You can call or visit an office in person. The state will flag your old license number so it cannot be used fraudulently.
You can then get a replacement license at any Driver License office. Bring the same documents you would bring for a renewal — identity, residency proof, and your Social Security number. A replacement costs $20 for four years or $40 for eight years. You receive a temporary license on the spot and the permanent card arrives by mail in two to three weeks.
Name Changes and Address Changes
If you change your name (through marriage, divorce, or court order), you must visit an office in person to update your license. Bring your current license, proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and your identity and residency documents. There is no fee to update your name on an existing license.
If you move within Kansas, you have 30 days to update your address. You can do this in person at any Driver License office or by mail if your license is not yet expired. For a mail address change, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau, and they will send you a form. Fill it out, return it with your current license, and your updated license arrives by mail.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements
A Commercial Driver's License is required if you drive a truck, bus, or other vehicle over a certain weight or designed to carry passengers for hire. Kansas issues CDLs through the same Driver License offices, but the process is longer and more involved than a regular license.
You must pass a written test on commercial driving rules, a skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, and road test), and a medical examination. You also need a valid passport or passport card and your Social Security card. The whole process typically takes several weeks because the skills test must be scheduled separately and administered by a certified examiner.
CDL fees are higher than regular license fees and vary depending on the endorsements you need (hazmat, passenger, tanker, etc.). Contact a Driver License office for current CDL fees and to schedule your skills test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online?
No. Kansas does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and your name and address have not changed. Otherwise, you must visit a Driver License office in person.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
A U.S. passport or passport card works instead. If you have neither, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue Driver License Bureau to ask what other documents they will accept. Some offices may accept a certified copy of a court order or other government record.
How long does it take to get my license after I explore?
You receive a temporary license on the day you explore. Your permanent card arrives by mail in two to three weeks. If it takes longer, contact the Driver License Bureau to check the status.
Do I have to take the written test if I already have a license from another state?
No. If you are moving to Kansas and already hold a valid driver's license from another state, you do not have to take the written test. Bring your current out-of-state license along with your identity and residency documents.
What if my license expires while I am out of state?
You can renew by mail if your license is not yet expired. If it has already expired, you must return to Kansas to renew in person at a Driver License office. An expired license cannot be renewed by mail, even if you are out of state.