What causes a license suspension in Kansas
Your Kansas driver's license can be suspended for several reasons, and the suspension happens automatically in most cases — you do not receive a warning first. The Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles, manages all suspensions and keeps the record.
The most common reason is accumulating too many points from traffic violations. Kansas uses a point system where each violation adds points to your record. When you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you reach 18 points within 24 months, the suspension is 60 days. Reaching 24 points within 36 months results in a one-year suspension.
Other automatic suspension triggers include failing to pay traffic fines, failing to appear in court for a traffic citation, driving with a suspended or revoked license, being convicted of certain drug offenses, refusing a breath or blood test during a DUI stop, and accumulating too many moving violations within a short timeframe. Child support arrears can also trigger a suspension through the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas suspends your license automatically when you reach 12, 18, or 24 points within specific timeframes, without sending a warning letter first.
- Traffic violations carry point values ranging from 1 to 6 points depending on the offense, and points stay on your record for three years.
- You can check your current point total and suspension status through the Kansas Department of Revenue website or by calling their customer service line.
- Suspension lengths range from 30 days to one year depending on how many points you accumulated, and you must wait out the full suspension period before driving legally again.
- You may be able to reduce points through traffic school, but only if the court allows it and only once every 24 months.
How points accumulate on your Kansas driving record
Every traffic violation in Kansas carries a specific point value. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point. Speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 16 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit is 6 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Improper passing is 3 points. Failure to yield is 3 points. Following too closely is 3 points.
Points remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation. This means a violation from three years and one day ago drops off and no longer counts toward your suspension threshold. However, the violation itself stays on your permanent driving record — it just stops counting toward the point total that triggers suspension.
The suspension thresholds are based on how many points you accumulate within specific windows. Twelve points in 12 months triggers a 30-day suspension. Eighteen points in 24 months triggers a 60-day suspension. Twenty-four points in 36 months triggers a one-year suspension. If you receive a suspension and then accumulate more points after the suspension ends, you start a new count toward the next threshold.
When the suspension takes effect
Kansas does not mail you a notice before your license is suspended. The suspension becomes effective automatically when you reach the point threshold. You typically learn about the suspension when you attempt to renew your license, are pulled over by law enforcement, or check your driving record online.
If you are pulled over while your license is suspended, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a separate criminal offense. This charge carries its own penalties and can result in additional fines and jail time depending on whether it is your first, second, or third offense within a 10-year period.
You can check your current point total and suspension status through the Kansas Department of Revenue website at sos.kansas.gov. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the Division of Vehicles at 785-296-3671 to speak with someone who can tell you your exact point total and whether a suspension is currently active on your record.
Suspensions from other reasons besides points
A suspension can also result from failing to pay a traffic fine by the due date. When you receive a ticket, the citation includes a payment important date. If you do not pay by that date and do not request a court hearing, the court reports the failure to pay to the Division of Vehicles, which suspends your license. You can reinstate your license by paying the fine in full plus any late fees.
Failing to appear in court for a traffic citation also triggers a suspension. If you receive a ticket and miss your court date without notifying the court, the judge issues a failure-to-appear warrant and reports it to the Division of Vehicles. Your license remains suspended until you appear in court, resolve the case, and pay any fines owed.
A DUI conviction or refusal to take a breath or blood test during a DUI stop results in an administrative suspension separate from any criminal penalties. The administrative suspension is handled by the Division of Vehicles and typically lasts 30 days for a first refusal or 12 months for a second refusal within 10 years. A DUI conviction triggers a separate criminal suspension that can last one year or longer depending on prior convictions.
How to get your license reinstated
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended. For a point-based suspension, you must wait out the entire suspension period. A 30-day suspension means you cannot drive legally for 30 days from the date the suspension took effect. After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to take any action or pay a reinstatement fee.
For a suspension due to unpaid fines or failure to appear, you must resolve the underlying traffic case first. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out what you owe and what you need to do to clear the failure to appear. Once you pay the fine or appear in court and satisfy the court's requirements, the court notifies the Division of Vehicles, and your license is reinstated.
For a DUI-related administrative suspension, you can request a hearing with the Division of Vehicles within 10 days of the suspension notice to contest the suspension. If you do not request a hearing or lose the hearing, you must wait out the suspension period. Some people pursue a hardship license during the suspension period, which allows limited driving for work, school, or medical appointments, but this requires a separate request to the court.
Reducing points through traffic school
Kansas allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved traffic school course, but only under specific conditions. First, the court must allow it — not all violations are may be able to access, and the judge has discretion to deny your request. Second, you can only use traffic school once every 24 months. Third, completing traffic school typically reduces 4 points from your record, though the exact reduction depends on the course and the court's order.
To pursue traffic school, you must request it from the court that issued your ticket. Some courts allow you to request it when you appear for your hearing or when you pay your fine. Other courts require you to request it before your court date. Contact the court clerk to find out the procedure and whether your specific violation is may be able to access.
Traffic school courses are offered online and in-person by various providers throughout Kansas. The course typically takes three to four hours to complete. Once you finish, you receive a certificate of completion that you submit to the court. The court then notifies the Division of Vehicles of the point reduction, and your record is updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my license is currently suspended?
Visit sos.kansas.gov and use the driving record lookup tool with your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the Kansas Division of Vehicles at 785-296-3671. The website shows your current point total and any active suspensions.
Can I drive during my suspension period?
No. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in Kansas. You cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period unless you obtain a hardship license from the court, which requires showing that the suspension causes undue hardship and that you have a legitimate need to drive for work, school, or medical treatment.
What happens if I get another ticket while suspended?
You will be charged with driving with a suspended license in addition to any charges related to the new ticket. This is a separate offense with its own penalties. A first offense is a misdemeanor, a second offense within 10 years is a felony, and a third offense within 10 years is also a felony.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward my Kansas suspension?
Yes. Kansas participates in the Driver License Compact, which means violations you receive in other states are reported to Kansas and added to your driving record. Points from out-of-state violations count toward your Kansas suspension thresholds.
Can I appeal my suspension?
For a point-based suspension, there is no appeal process — the suspension is automatic once you reach the threshold. However, if you believe the points were recorded incorrectly, you can contact the Division of Vehicles to request a review. For suspensions based on unpaid fines or failure to appear, you can address the underlying case through the court system.