Where to renew your Kansas license and what you need
You can renew your Kansas driver's license in person at any Driver Examination Office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and requires you to bring your current license, proof of Kansas residency (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number. If you renew by mail, you'll send your current license and a completed process form to the address listed on the renewal notice you receive in the mail.
Not everyone can renew by mail. You're may be able to access for mail renewal if your license is not expired by more than one year, you have no medical restrictions on your license, and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. If any of these don't explore to you, you must go in person to a Driver Examination Office.
Your renewal notice will arrive about 60 days before your license expires. This notice tells you which method you can use and includes the mailing address if you're doing it by mail. If you don't receive a notice, you can still renew in person at any Driver Examination Office location.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired by more than one year, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed since your last renewal.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Examination Office requires your current license, proof of Kansas residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
- Your renewal notice arrives about 60 days before expiration and tells you whether you can renew by mail or must come in person.
- A Kansas driver's license is valid for six years, and you can renew it up to one year before it expires.
What documents to bring for in-person renewal
Bring your current Kansas driver's license as your primary form of identification. You'll also need to show proof of your Social Security number — an original Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form all work. A copy is not acceptable; it must be the original document.
You need one document showing your current Kansas address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. If you've recently moved and don't have a document in your new name yet, bring a signed lease or a notarized statement from your landlord confirming your residency.
If you're renewing in person, you'll also have your photo taken and your vision will be checked. Bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them. You don't need to bring anything else unless you're changing your name or address — in that case, bring the document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
How to renew by mail
If your renewal notice says you can renew by mail, fill out the process form that comes with the notice and mail it along with your current license to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash — payment is made by check or money order. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee, which varies depending on how long you want your new license to be valid.
Mail your renewal package at least two weeks before your license expires to give the Driver Licensing Bureau time to process it and mail your new license back to you. Processing typically takes 10 to 15 business days after they receive your process, but mail delivery adds time on both ends. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid even if it hasn't reached its expiration date yet.
Keep your old license until your new one arrives. If your new license doesn't arrive within three weeks of mailing your renewal, contact the Driver Licensing Bureau at 785-296-3671 to check the status.
Renewal fees and license validity periods
Kansas offers driver's licenses valid for four years or six years. A four-year license costs less than a six-year license. When you renew, you choose which length you want. You can renew up to one year before your current license expires, so if you're planning a trip or straightforward want to get it done early, you can do so without penalty.
The exact fee depends on which validity period you choose and whether you're renewing in person or by mail. Check your renewal notice or call the Driver Licensing Bureau at 785-296-3671 to confirm the current fee for the option you want. Fees occasionally change, so asking directly is more reliable than relying on a posted amount.
What happens if your license has expired
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail — you must go in person to a Driver Examination Office. You'll need the same documents as a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Kansas residency. You'll also have your photo taken and your vision checked again.
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Kansas, even if you've already started the renewal process. If you're stopped by law enforcement, you can show your renewal notice or a receipt from your in-person renewal appointment as proof that you've begun the process, but this does not give you permission to drive. Renew as soon as you can to avoid fines or other penalties.
Finding a Driver Examination Office near you
Kansas has Driver Examination Offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Some offices are open only certain days of the week, so check the hours before you go. Walk-ins are accepted at most locations, but some offices allow you to schedule an appointment online or by phone, which can reduce your wait time.
If you live in a rural area far from an office, you can renew by mail if you meet the conditions, or you can travel to the nearest office. There is no online renewal option for Kansas driver's licenses, so mail or in-person are your only choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Kansas license if I've moved out of state?
No. Your Kansas license is tied to Kansas residency, and you must maintain a Kansas address to hold one. If you've moved out of state, you need to get a license from your new state instead. You can contact the Kansas Driver Licensing Bureau to learn about surrendering your Kansas license.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
You must renew in person and bring the document proving your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail if your name has changed. Bring the name-change document along with your other required documents.
Do I need to take a written test or driving test to renew?
No. Renewal does not require a written or driving test. You'll have your photo taken and your vision checked, but that's all. If your license has been suspended or revoked, you may need to take a test when you reapply, but that's a different process from renewal.
What if I lose my license before my renewal arrives?
Go to a Driver Examination Office and request a replacement license. You'll need to pay a replacement fee in addition to your renewal fee. Bring the same documents you would for a regular renewal. Your replacement license will have the same expiration date as your original license would have had.
Can I renew my license online?
Kansas does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You can renew by mail if you meet the conditions, or you must go in person to a Driver Examination Office. Some offices let you schedule an appointment online, but the actual renewal must happen in person or by mail.