Pro tip: To confidently navigate Kansas's open roads and cityscapes, being well-equipped with driving knowledge is crucial. Our guides on manual vehicle control and parallel parking are great resources. Enhance your ability to park in reverse and complete three-point turns. Ensure your mirrors are well-adjusted for safe navigation. Practice with our Online Driving Simulator, and for those from abroad, review Kansas's international driver's license criteria.
I’m 17+ (First Timers and Instruction Permit Holders)You should verify your:
Use this checklist to make sure you bring the correct documents.
It includes written questions on Kansas traffic laws and road signs. Prepare online before you go.
If you took a driver education course at an approved program, you can bring your certificate of completion and the test will be waived. If unsure whether or not your program has been approved, contact the Department of Education at 785-296-8107 or the Kansas Division of Vehicles at 785-296-3963. Note that Internet courses are not approved for a driver's license.
If you are younger than 17, you will have to hold the permit and practice supervised driving for 1 year before you are able to apply for a restricted license.
If you are 17+, there is no minimum amount of time required for holding your instruction permit.
It is the second stage of the Graduated Driver's License System established in Kansas. You can apply for your restricted license at the age of 15, or for its less restricted version if you are 16 and fulfil all the requirements listed below. The restricted license allows you to drive supervised anywhere/anytime and drive unsupervised but with restrictions. No wireless communication devices while driving are allowed.
If you are between 15 and 16, you may get a restricted license and drive unsupervised to and from work and school over the most direct route. You may not transport any non-sibling minor passengers.
If you are between 16 and 17, you may get a less restricted license and drive anywhere between 5am and 9 pm and anytime going to and from work and authorized school or religious activities. You may transport no more than one non-sibling passenger under the age of 18.
During this time log at least 25 driving hours (if you are 15) and at least 50 driving hours with 10 hours at night (if you are 16). Submit the affidavit to the driver licensing office.
The driver education program you chose must be offered through a local, accredited school district and approved by the Department of Education. If unsure whether your program has been approved, contact the Department of Education at 785-296-8107 or the Kansas Division of Vehicles at 785-296-3963. Note that Internet courses are not approved for licensing purposes.
You can apply on a walk-in basis at any driver licensing office, however, if you apply in Mission, Olathe, Wyandotte, Andover, Wichita, Derby, Topeka and Manhattan, you can get in line online by using the Q-Flow system.
You should verify your:
Use this checklist to make sure you bring the correct documents.
Your parent or guardian will be required to give you the permission to get a license in writing in front of a driver licensing office employee.
Eyesight of at least 20/40 in one eye is required, with or without correction. Alternatively, you can provide an eye examination report by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist made not more than 90 days prior to application.
It includes written questions on Kansas traffic laws and road signs. Prepare online before you go.
Alternatively, bring in the DE-99 completion slip from driver's education.
You will drive over a test route that may have a variety of traffic situations. Alternatively, bring in the DE-99 completion slip from driver's education.
Your driver's license will be valid until your 21st birthday. It is not necessary to return to a driver license office before that to have the restriction removed. The computer will be updated to remove the age restriction when all criteria to remove the restriction have been met.
When you turn 16, you will move to less restricted privileges if your 50 hour affidavit has been turned in, and you maintain a satisfactory driving record.
You are required to hold a less restricted license for 6 months or until age 17, whichever occurs first. If you have complied with all laws, the restrictions will no longer apply after that.
You may apply for you full license at the age of 17. You don't have to obtain an instruction permit, but you can if you want to practice supervised driving.
First timer? Start with Step 1.
Instruction permit holder? Start with Step 5.
You can apply on a walk-in basis at any driver licensing office, however, if you apply in Mission, Olathe, Wyandotte, Andover, Wichita, Derby, Topeka and Manhattan, you can get in line online by using the Q-Flow system.
You should verify your
Use this checklist to make sure you bring the correct documents.
It includes written questions on Kansas traffic laws and road signs. Prepare online before you go.
Alternatively, bring in the DE-99 completion slip from driver's education.
You can take this test at a driving licensing office on a walk-in basis or get in line online by using the Q-Flow system if you apply in Mission, Olathe, Wyandotte, Andover, Wichita, Derby, Topeka and Manhattan.
This exam will test your basic skills in operating a motor vehicle. It consists of 3 parts: a pre-trip vehicle safety inspection test, basic vehicle control skills test and road test. You are required to bring a car with valid registration and insurance.
You are required to show that the vehicle you brought for the test is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the car, point to each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will not have to open the hood or crawl under the car.
External inspection
Demonstrate the following:
Internal inspection
Show that the following features are in good condition:
You may be asked to perform two or more of the following maneuvers off-street or on-street:
While performing these maneuvers limit the following common errors:
Don't hesitate to ask your examiner all the questions you have if you are not sure what is required.
You will follow the directions of the examiner. The examiner will not trick you or ask to do anything illegal. Your job is to drive safely. Your examiner will be scoring your general driving behavior and evaluate the following maneuvers:
You will fail automatically if you commit one of the following errors during your road test:
Good news! If either of the following applies to you, you do not require to transfer your out-of-state driver's license.
You must transfer your driver's license on a walk-in basis at a driver's license office convenient for you or get in line online by using the Q-Flow system if you apply in Mission, Olathe, Wyandotte, Andover, Wichita, Derby, Topeka and Manhattan.
Use this checklist to make sure you bring the correct documents.
If your out-of-state license expired less than a year ago, you will also have to take a written test.
If your out-of-state license expired more than a year ago, you will have to pass both written and driving tests.
The procedure for transferring your foreign driver's license is similar to applying for a new license in Kansas. Please follow the steps in our guide to apply for a full driver's license.
