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Kansas driver's license

Get your first license in Kansas after moving to the US.

The short answer

Kansas requires no test if you hold a valid license from another US state, and requires a written and driving exam if that license has expired.1, 2 You bring proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, two proofs of a Kansas address and your out-of-state license.3 If you fail the written test, you can take it again for another examination fee of $1.50.4 If you fail the vision test, you can have your vision corrected and take the test again at no extra fee.5 On an instruction permit you drive with an adult who is at least 21, holds a valid license and has a year of driving experience, seated beside you.6

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Kansas and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

Your license will clearly indicate that it is temporary and will state the date on which it expires.7

If you have no license to transfer

An out-of-state permit will not transfer; testing will be required in the state of Kansas.3

  • Temporary credentials from another state cannot be accepted; you will need to provide a motor vehicle record or clearance letter from your state of issuance to transfer.8

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validFor a REAL ID, a U.S. passport, permanent resident card, or employment authorization card used as proof of lawful presence must be unexpired.9

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

Kansas collects the Social Security number from every driver's license and ID card applicant. The number remains confidential and is disclosed only under K.S.A. 74-2012.10

Tests you take

Eye test

If you fail the vision test, you may have your vision corrected and take the vision test again without any additional fee.5

Drive test

A driving test is not required for an instruction permit. The permit is issued once the applicant passes all other required examination parts.11

  • If your out-of-state license is expired, a written and driving exam is required.2

  • If you have a valid out-of-state license, you must present acceptable proof of identity and proof of residence, not be canceled, suspended, or revoked in any state, pass a vision examination, and pay the applicable fees.12

  • If your out-of-state license is valid, testing will not be required.1

Tries you get on the written test

If you fail the written test, you can take it again after paying an additional $1.50 examination fee. If you fail the written or driving portion four times within a six-month period, you must wait six months from the last failed examination before testing again.4

Practice questions for the written test

The KnowTo Drive portal for Kansas is at https://knowtodrive.com/kansas/. The address is a vendor site, not a ks.gov address.13

  • The Kansas Driver's License Handbook is published at https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/dlhb.pdf.14

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

While you drive a passenger car on an instruction permit, an adult must be with you who is at least 21 years old, holds a valid commercial driver's license or a class A, B, or C driver's license, has at least one year of driving experience, and sits in the seat beside you.6

Where to go

Who gives the tests

Driver's License Examination, within the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles, is responsible for examining applicants for driver's licenses.15

Office locations

You can find your nearest driver's license exam station at ksrevenue.gov/dovstations.html.16

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “If your out of state license is valid, testing will not be required.”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdlfaq.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  2. 2

    “If your out of state license is expired, a written and driving exam is required.”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdlfaq.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  3. 3

    “t of state license is expired, a written and driving exam is required. what documents do i need to transfer my license to kansas? you will need proof of lawful presence, proof of social security number, two proofs of kansas residential address, your out of state license, and proof of legal name change if your name is not the same now as shown on your lawful presence document. please visit https://ksrevenue.gov/pdf/de56a.pdf for a detailed list of acceptable documents. i obtained an out of state license, but my kansas license has not yet expired, do i need to bring in all the out of state transfer required documents? yes. you will need proof of lawful presence, proof of social security number, two proofs of kansas residential address, your out of state license, and proof of legal name change if your name is not the same now as shown on your lawful presence document. please visit https://ksrevenue.gov/pdf/de56a.pdf for a detailed list of acceptable documents. i only have my temporary license from out of state, will that be acceptable? temporary credentials cannot be accepted. you will need to provide a motor vehicle record or clearance letter from your state of issuance to transfer. will my out of state permit transfer? no, testing will be required in the state of kansas. do i need an appointment to visit the driver's license office? appointments are recommended, as they receive priority. please visit https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovappointmentinfo/ to schedule an appointment. what can i use to transfer my credential to kansas if i lost my out of state one? you will need to provide a motor vehicle record or clearance letter from your state of issuance. my license is from another country; will that transfer to kansas? kansas does reciprocate with all u.s. territories and taiwan. if your license is from another country, you will be required to complete a vision, written, and driving exam to obtain a kansas license. my out of state license is suspended, will i still be eligible for a kansas license? no, you will not be eligible for a kansas license with any out of state holds. i just moved to kansas from another state. how long do i have to trade my out of state license for a kansas driver's license? you have 90 days after establishing residency. back to top not receiving my credential in the mail are the credentials mailed out with tracking? at this time, the credentials are not mailed with tracking. how long does it take for a credential to arrive in th”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdlfaq.html

    Checked August 2, 2026

  4. 4

    “If an applicant fails the written test, the applicant may take such test again upon the payment of an additional examination fee of $1.50.”

    ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0040.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  5. 5

    “If the applicant fails the vision test, the applicant may have correction of vision made and take the vision test again without any additional fee.”

    ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0040.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  6. 6

    “The one having the instruction permit may operate a passenger car at any time when accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age, who is the holder of a valid commercial driver's license, class A, B or C driver's license, who has had at least one year of driving experience and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.”

    ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0039.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  7. 7

    “a driver's license issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall clearly indicate that it is temporary and shall state the date on which it expires”

    ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0040.html

    Checked July 28, 2026

  8. 8

    “Temporary credentials cannot be accepted. You will need to provide a motor vehicle record or clearance letter from your state of issuance to transfer.”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdlfaq.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  9. 9

    “a driver's license office. you can visit your driver's license office up to one year in advance of your license or identification expiring. click the following button to get a status check. driver license status check what documents do i need to bring to receive a real id? 1.) you will need to provide proof of lawful presence. please select one from the list below: state issued birth certificate unexpired u.s. passport unexpired permanent resident card unexpired employment authorization card naturalization certificate consular report of birth abroad (fs-240) 2.) you must provide proof of your social security number. please select one document from the list below: social security card current w-2 or 1099 showing full social security number current pay stub showing full social security number 3.) you must provide two proofs of current kansas residential address. proof must be dated wit”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovrealid.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “During the 2003 Legislative Session, Kansas lawmakers passed a bill, requiring that the Social Security number must be collected from everyone that applies for a driver’s license or ID card. This law became effective July 1, 2003.”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdlfaq.html

    Checked August 1, 2026

  11. 11

    “after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination other than the driving test”

    ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0039.html

    Checked August 4, 2026

  12. 12

    “If you have a valid out-of-state license you must: Present acceptable proof of identity and proof of residence Not be canceled, suspended, or revoked in any state Pass a vision examination Pay applicable fees”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovobtainingdl.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  13. 13

    “KnowToDrive -> https://knowtodrive.com/kansas/”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  14. 14

    “The Kansas Driver's License Handbook -> https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/dlhb.pdf”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdrlic.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  15. 15

    “Driver's License Examination is responsible for examining everyone applying for Kansas driver's licenses.”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovdrlic.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

  16. 16

    “Find your nearest driver license exam station”

    ksrevenue.gov/dovstations.html

    Checked July 26, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Kansas?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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