How to renew your Kansas driver license in person or by mail

You can renew your Kansas driver license either in person at a Driver License office or by mail, depending on your situation and how much time you have. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes on the day you go; the mail route takes two to three weeks. Both require you to submit the same documents, but only the in-person option lets you renew if your license has been expired for more than five years or if you need to change your address, name, or vision correction on the license itself.

Your license is valid for six years from the date it was issued. Kansas sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at a Driver License office takes about 30 minutes and works for almost all situations, including expired licenses and address changes.
  • Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and works only if your license expired less than five years ago and you are not changing your address or name.
  • You will need your current license, proof of Kansas residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and payment by check or money order if renewing by mail.
  • The renewal fee is $96 for a six-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card in person, or by check or money order by mail.
  • If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license on the day of your visit and the plastic card arrives by mail within two weeks.

Renewing in person at a Driver License office

Walk into any Driver License office in Kansas with your current license, proof of Kansas residency, and payment. Proof of residency can be a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current address. You do not need an appointment, but you can schedule one online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website to skip the waiting area.

Bring the original documents or certified copies—photocopies alone will not work. The office staff will take a new photo, verify your information, and process the renewal on the spot. You will walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. The plastic license usually arrives within two weeks.

In-person renewal works even if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to change your address or legal name, or if you need to update your vision correction status. It is the only option if any of those situations explore to you.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal works only if your license expired less than five years ago and you are not changing your address, name, or vision information. Complete the renewal form (available on the Kansas Department of Revenue website), include your current license, proof of residency, and payment by check or money order. Mail everything to the address listed on the form.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your envelope. You will not receive a temporary license, so your current expired license is what you carry until the new one arrives. If you need to drive before the new license arrives and your current one is expired, you will need to renew in person instead.

The mail route saves a trip but only if your situation is straightforward. If you are unsure whether your address or name change disqualifies you, call the Kansas Driver License office at 785-296-3671 before mailing your documents.

What documents and payment you need

For both in-person and mail renewal, bring or send your current driver license and one document proving your Kansas residency. Acceptable residency documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued mail showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

The renewal fee is $96 for a six-year license. In person, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must pay by check or money order—write your driver license number on the check. Do not send cash by mail.

If you are renewing in person and do not have proof of residency with you, you can ask the office staff what other documents they will accept. Some offices have flexibility for people who recently moved or do not receive mail at their address.

What happens after you renew

If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and works for driving, voting, and other identification purposes. Your plastic license card is mailed to the address on file and usually arrives within two weeks, though it can take up to four weeks in busy periods.

If you renewed by mail, your new plastic license is mailed to you and arrives within two to three weeks. You continue using your expired license until the new one arrives. If you need to drive before it arrives and your current license is expired, you will have to go in person to get a temporary license.

Check the address on your renewal notice or confirmation to make sure the new license will be mailed to the right place. If you moved after submitting your renewal, contact the Driver License office to update your mailing address before the card ships.

If your license has been expired for more than five years

You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years. You must go to a Driver License office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. The office will treat this as a renewal rather than a new license, so the process is the same as a standard in-person renewal.

If you cannot find your expired license, bring a document that shows your name and date of birth, such as a passport or birth certificate. The office staff can look up your license record in the system.

Finding a Driver License office and checking wait times

Kansas has Driver License offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Many offices are located in county courthouses or separate state buildings.

Some offices publish current wait times online. If the office you plan to visit does not show wait times, call ahead at 785-296-3671 to ask how busy they are. Early morning and mid-week visits tend to have shorter waits than afternoons and Fridays.

You can also schedule an appointment online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Appointments are not required, but they let you skip the walk-in queue and come back at a specific time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I just moved to Kansas?

If you are a new Kansas resident, you cannot renew your out-of-state license—you must get a new Kansas license. Go to a Driver License office with your out-of-state license, proof of Kansas residency, and payment. The office will issue you a new Kansas license instead of renewing your old one.

What if my name changed since my last license?

You must renew in person and bring a document proving your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The office will update your name on the new license during the renewal process.

Do I need a new photo if I renew by mail?

No. Mail renewal uses the photo from your current license. In-person renewal always includes a new photo, even if your current photo is recent.

What if my address changed but I want to renew by mail?

You cannot renew by mail if you are changing your address. You must go in person so the office can verify your new residency. Bring proof of your new address and your current license.

How long is my temporary paper license valid?

The temporary paper license issued at the Driver License office is valid for 30 days. Your plastic card should arrive within two weeks, but if it does not, contact the office to check the status.