Various types of drivers licenses are available to eligible applicants residing in Kansas. These permits provide new drivers with the right to legally operate motor vehicles throughout the state. In order to be granted a DMV license, residents must meet specific eligibility requirements and complete the established application process. This procedure involves providing personal information, taking driving examinations and paying necessary fees.

The eligibility rules and overall cost of a license depend on a variety of factors. Additional and/or separate steps for applying are often necessary for new applicants under age 18. These extra requirements for teens help instill safe and effective driving practices at a young age. The type of DMV drivers license desired and unique situation of each new driver also determines the price and application procedure. Learn more about becoming a licensed driver in Kansas with the following information.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Kansas (18 or Older)

In Kansas, residents who are 18 and older must adhere to specific eligibility standards and rules to receive a drivers license. Applicants must provide personal information, verification documents and fee payments when requesting permits. Various classes of drivers certifications are offered for operating certain types of vehicles. Total license cost, documentation and information required varies among applicants. These factors depend on the age and legal status of the applicant.

In order to be granted a new drivers license in Kansas, applicants must meet certain eligibility standards. These requirements are established to ensure only qualified drivers receive permits. Residents should review license eligibility guidelines to determine whether they can apply for driving privileges in the state.

To be approved for a DMV driving permit, new drivers must:

  • Legally reside in the United States
  • Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court
  • Not have drug and/or alcohol abuse issues
  • Provide full name, age and address when applying
  • Meet medical requirements for needed license
  • Surrender previously held licenses or identification cards

Additionally, drivers with previous license suspensions, revocations, cancellations or denials do not meet Kansas eligibility standards. Applicants with outstanding traffic infraction fines are also ineligible to apply for licenses.

Documents Required to Get a Kansas Drivers License (18 or Older)

Residents must provide proof of their identity, residence and citizenship status when submitting driver applications. Only original verification documents are accepted. Therefore, documentation cannot be provided electronically through a drivers license online portal, faxed, laminated or copied.

The following items establish citizenship status, verify your name and date of birth:

  • Valid, unexpired United States passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship

Non-U.S. citizens can demonstrate eligibility for drivers license requirements by providing one of the following documents:

  • Official Permanent Resident Card
  • Valid, unexpired foreign passport with U.S. entry stated
  • Employment Authorization Certificate
  • Asylee/Refugee Certificate I-94

Next, applicants must provide two documents proving state residency. Examples of acceptable items include, but are not limited to:

  • Kansas vehicle registration or title
  • Current utility bill
  • Lease or rental agreement
  • Current W-2
  • Kansas voter registration card

New drivers can learn how to get a drivers license after determining their eligibility for driving privileges in Kansas.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Kansas (18 or Older)

Kansas residents age 18 and older are permitted to request an unrestricted driving permit in the state. Prior vehicle education courses are not required for adult drivers. Applicants can begin this process by visiting a registered office in the state. When determining where to get a drivers license, residents should find the most convenient DMV location in their county of residence.

When visiting a local licensing office, all required documents establishing identity, residency and citizenship status must be presented. For non-U.S. citizens, the System Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) is used to process forms and confirm applicant eligibility.

When drivers license verification documents are processed, drivers must complete a series of examinations to be granted a permit. The following tests are administered to Kansas applicants during the licensing process:

  • Vision test, establishing visual acuity that is safe for driving. This exam can be taken at an Ophthalmologist office, Optometrist office or valid state licensing location.
  • Written exam, testing applicants’ knowledge of Kansas traffic laws and road signs. Drivers are allowed four attempts to pass the written test portion. Drivers may take practice tests to help them.
  • Driving test, demonstrating basic driving techniques. Drivers must operate a vehicle under the supervision of a licensed state official. Applicants are graded on their ability to follow examiner instructions and overall driving skill. Four attempts are allotted for new drivers to pass this exam portion.

When all documents are verified and exams are passed, new drivers should pay the required fees to obtain an official permit.

Getting a Kansas Drivers License as a New Resident

What do you need to get your license as a new Kansas resident? Within 90 days of establishing residency in the state, drivers must apply for a Kansas license. Those who recently moved and hold an expired out-of-state license must provide:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of residence
  • Licensing fee payment

Additionally, new residents may be required to pass vision and written exams to receive a license. Drivers with out-of-state permits expired for over a year must also pass a driving test.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Kansas (Younger Than 18)

Kansas residents younger than age 18 may apply for designated permits and licenses in the state. Certain eligibility standards are established for these applicants at various ages. When young drivers research drivers license information to determine the type of licenses they want, the process for requesting certification may begin. As these teen drivers get older, they become eligible for additional types of permits.

Teen drivers can complete a driving license application only when meeting the established state license eligibility requirements. Young applicants must adhere to the following standards when applying for permits:

  • Provide proof of identity, residence and citizenship status.
  • Provide driver education
  • Drivers under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with a photo ID for verification.
  • Drivers under age 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian to obtain any type of license in Kansas.

Drivers license eligibility varies for the following types of licenses for teen drivers.

  • To be eligible for an Instructional Permit, applicants can be as young as age 14. However, drivers age 16 and younger must have a parent or guardian sign an affidavit providing permission.
  • To be eligible for a Restricted License, the minimum driver age is 15. Additionally, applicants must have a valid Instructional Permit held for a year. To complete the supervised driving requirement for this type of license, young drivers must have a parent or guardian sign an affidavit establishing consent.
  • To be eligible for an Unrestricted License, the minimum driver age is 17. For the supervised driving portion, residents under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign an affidavit providing permission.

Kansas drivers under age 18 are required to complete driver education courses to obtain a license. Official courses are administered at schools verified and endorsed by the Department of Education. Online driver education course certificates are not accepted during the driver license application process.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Kansas (Younger Than 18)

Various types of permits are available to young drivers in Kansas. These residents must complete a graduated licensing program to receive driving privileges within the state. The following driving license permits are including in the graduated program:

  • Instructional Permit, valid for one year. This permit is provided to teens as young as 14 years old during attendance of an official driver education course. Applicants must provide parental consent affidavits and pass written knowledge and vision exams to receive a permit.
  • Restricted License, available to 15 and 16 year old to teen drivers after holding an Instructional Permit for a year. Additionally:
    • 15-year-old applicants must complete an official drivers education course in advance. While holding a Restricted License, 25 hours of supervised driving practice is required.
    • 16-year-old applicants must take a vision, written and driving skills test. While holding a Restricted License, 50 hours of supervised driving practice including 10 hours at night is required.
  • Unrestricted License, available to teen drivers 17 and 18 years old. Applicants must complete and pass a vision, written and driving skills test.

For each type of permit, teen drivers must pay required licensing fees to official drivers license services locations in Kansas.

Kansas Drivers License Costs

The following fees apply to regular and instructional licenses in Kansas. The figures include licensing costs, exam and photo fees.

  • Regular C 4-Year Permit: $23
  • Regular C 6-Year Permit: $29
  • Regular C or M Instructional Permit 1-Year: $10
  • Under 21 Class C Permit: $31
  • Under 21 Class M Permit: $31
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.