What Kansas requires to get your first driver license
To get a Kansas driver license, you need to bring proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, proof of your Social Security number, and pass a written test and a driving test. You also need to be at least 16 years old. The exact documents Kansas accepts vary by category — a Real ID license has stricter proof requirements than a standard license — but both routes start with the same basic paperwork.
You cannot get a license by mail or online. You must visit a Kansas Division of Vehicles office in person, take the written exam there, and schedule a separate appointment for your driving test with an approved examiner. The whole process typically takes several weeks from start to finish because the written test and driving test are scheduled separately.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a photo ID, proof of Kansas residency, and your Social Security card or a document showing your number.
- A Real ID license requires documents that prove your identity and residency more strictly than a standard Kansas license does.
- You take the written test at a Division of Vehicles office, but the driving test happens at a separate appointment with an approved examiner.
- Kansas charges different fees for a standard license and a Real ID license, and fees vary depending on how long you want the license to last.
Documents you must bring to the Division of Vehicles office
Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A photocopy is not accepted. If your birth certificate is from outside the United States, you need the original plus an official English translation.
Bring a photo ID that is currently valid. A U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or state ID from another state all work. If you do not have a photo ID yet, Kansas allows you to bring a combination of non-photo documents — ask the Division of Vehicles office which documents they accept in your situation, because the rules depend on what you have available.
Bring proof that you live in Kansas. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your current Kansas address works. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A phone bill or credit card statement also works if it shows your Kansas address.
Bring proof of your Social Security number. Your Social Security card itself is the easiest option. If you do not have the card, you can bring a W-2 form, tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration showing your number.
Real ID versus standard Kansas driver license
A Real ID license meets federal standards and can be used to board a domestic airplane or enter a federal building. A standard Kansas license cannot be used for those purposes as of May 2025, though you can still use it to drive. Real ID requires stricter proof of identity and residency than a standard license does.
For a Real ID license, your birth certificate, photo ID, and residency proof must all match your current legal name and address. If your name has changed — through marriage, divorce, or court order — you need an official document showing that change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree. For a standard license, Kansas is more flexible about name changes.
Real ID also requires you to prove your Social Security number in person; you cannot use a document alone. A standard license allows you to bring a document showing your number. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can get a standard Kansas license but not a Real ID license.
The written test and what it covers
The written test has 25 questions about Kansas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 20 questions correctly to pass. The test is given on a computer at the Division of Vehicles office, and you get your results when ready.
Kansas provides a free study guide called the Kansas Driver's Manual on the Division of Vehicles website. The manual covers everything the test asks about: speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, following distance, what different road signs mean, and how to handle emergencies. You can read it online or request a printed copy at any Division of Vehicles office.
You can take the written test in English or Spanish. If you need the test in another language, contact your local Division of Vehicles office ahead of time to ask whether an interpreter is available.
The driving test and how to schedule it
After you pass the written test, you schedule a separate appointment for the driving test. The driving test is not given at the Division of Vehicles office — it is given by an approved examiner, usually at a private testing facility. Kansas has a list of approved examiners on the Division of Vehicles website, organized by county.
You must bring your own vehicle to the driving test. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The examiner checks the brakes, lights, wipers, and horn before the test begins. If anything is broken or missing, the test is cancelled and you must reschedule.
The driving test lasts about 30 minutes. You drive on local roads while the examiner watches and scores your performance on things like steering, braking, turning, parking, and following traffic laws. You must pass the driving test to get your license. If you fail, you can reschedule and try again.
Fees and how long your license lasts
Kansas charges a fee for the written test and a separate fee for the driving test. The fees vary depending on whether you want a standard license or a Real ID license, and how long you want the license to last. A standard Kansas license can last 4 years or 6 years; a Real ID license can last 4 years or 8 years. Longer licenses cost more.
You pay the written test fee when you take the test at the Division of Vehicles office. You pay the driving test fee when you take the driving test with the approved examiner. Once you pass both tests, you pay the license fee to the Division of Vehicles, and your license is mailed to your address.
Check the Division of Vehicles website or call your local office for the current fees, because they change periodically and may differ slightly by location.
If you are under 18
If you are 14 or 15 years old, Kansas issues a learner's permit instead of a full license. A learner's permit lets you drive only when a licensed adult 21 or older is in the front seat with you. You must have a learner's permit for at least 14 days before you can take the driving test for a full license.
If you are 16 or 17, you can get a full license, but Kansas has restrictions on when you can drive and who can be in the car with you. For the first six months after you get your license, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you can have only one passenger under 20 years old in the car (unless they are a family member). These restrictions lift after six months or when you turn 18, whichever comes first.
To get a learner's permit or a license under 18, you need parental or guardian consent. A parent or guardian must sign the process in person at the Division of Vehicles office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Kansas license online or by mail?
Yes, if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes, you can renew by mail or online through the Division of Vehicles website. If your license is expired or your address has changed, you must renew in person at an office.
What if my birth certificate is from another country?
You need the original birth certificate plus an official English translation. The translation must be certified or notarized. Some countries' vital records offices provide certified translations; if yours does not, you can hire a professional translator and have the translation notarized.
Do I need a Real ID license to drive in Kansas?
No. A standard Kansas license is valid for driving anywhere in the state and the country. You need a Real ID only if you plan to board a domestic airplane or enter a federal building without a passport.
What happens if I fail the driving test?
You can reschedule and take it again. There is no waiting period between attempts in Kansas. You pay the driving test fee each time you take the test. Most people pass on the second or third attempt.
Can I take the written test more than once?
Yes. If you fail the written test, you can take it again the same day or reschedule for another day. You pay the test fee each time. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it.