Kansas: Cheat Sheet

The most frequently tested facts and numbers, condensed onto one page — free to print or save.

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Road signs

The red and blue shield route sign marks an interstate route.
A yellow diamond with a T symbol is the T-Intersection Ahead warning sign.
Lane use control signs tell you where you can go and where you can turn, and often use an arrow symbol.
A yellow diamond showing a leaping deer is the Deer Crossing warning sign.
The Wrong Way sign is posted on expressway ramps a short distance past the DO NOT ENTER sign.
Regulatory signs tell drivers about specific laws they must obey, such as rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed and parking.
Incident signs tell you when to be prepared to stop or when roadways are closed or detoured due to an unplanned incident such as a natural disaster or hazardous material spill.

Sign shapes and colors

Incident signs are fluorescent pink with black lettering.
The No Passing Zone sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone and is placed on the left side of the road facing the driver.
Some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow, such as school zone, school crossing and pedestrian crossing signs.
Guide signs are square and rectangular and are green, brown, or blue.
A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters.

Traffic signals

A steady green light means you can go through the intersection if it is clear, and you must still yield to emergency vehicles and other roadway users as required by law.
A Stop Here on Red sign tells you where to stop if the traffic light is red.
At a flashing red light you stop behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection, look both ways and yield the right-of-way, using the same procedure as at a stop sign.
Some travel lanes are designed to carry traffic in one direction at certain times and in the opposite direction at other times.
On a horizontal traffic light the red light is on the left, the yellow in the middle and the green on the right.
On a steady green light you must yield to emergency vehicles and other roadway users as required by law.

Right-of-way and turning

A left-turning driver yields to oncoming vehicles, and if both cars enter at the same time the car going straight through has the right-of-way.
A driver leaving a driveway, alley or building area must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and traffic.
A yield sign means you must slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before entering.
After a turn, accelerate smoothly, make sure the turn signal is cancelled and check traffic to the rear.
Wait for a large gap in the traffic in both directions, then turn the wheel left sharply and adjust your speed to match the traffic flow.
You move back until the rear bumper of the vehicle reaches the near edge of the driveway.
Even with a green light, do not start across the intersection when vehicles are blocking the way, or you may be caught there when the light turns red.

Alcohol and drugs

A first drug-related conviction for driving under the influence could bring a minimum of 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service, and a license suspension.
The mandatory suspension is 10 years for the fourth refusal.
The handbook says sober means that no alcohol or other impairing drugs are in the circulatory system of the body.
A fifth test result of .08 or greater, or a refusal, results in a permanent license revocation.
Under the age of 21 it is illegal to purchase, possess or drink alcoholic beverages.
A driver with a .08 BAC or higher is in violation of the law.

Speed and following distance

On narrow bridges and tunnels, vehicles approaching each other have narrower lanes and are closer together.
Vehicles have less traction on gravel or dirt, so you must slow down and leave more room because stopping takes much longer.
On the highway you should look at least a quarter of a mile ahead.
Before entering the curve you reduce your speed so further braking is not required in the curve.
Increasing speed to 80 mph makes the impact and braking distance 16 times greater than at 20 mph.
The maximum limit should be driven only in ideal driving conditions, and you must reduce speed when weather or traffic conditions require it.
In wet, icy, low-visibility or heavy-traffic conditions you must reduce speed to be able to stop and steer as needed.

Licensing basics

Members of the Armed Forces on active duty, plus their spouse and children, may drive on a valid license.
Receiving a traffic citation for a moving violation, disobeying signs or signals, speeding or rolling through stops results in an automatic failure.
The manual says portions of it have been summarized, and Kansas law takes precedence over discrepancies or omissions in the manual.
One listed requirement is being lawfully present in the United States.

Signals and vehicle controls

The handbook says to cancel turn signals upon completion of a turn or lane change.
When backing, you grasp the steering wheel at 12 o'clock with your left hand.
The manual says to always reduce speed as early as it is safe to do so.
After turning the ignition switch to on, check the indicator lights and gauges (fuel level, ABS, air bags, etc.) before turning the switch to start.

Pavement markings

The manual says you may cross a solid yellow line to turn when gaps in traffic flow exist.
Reserved lanes often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.
The longer you stay in the lane, the more likely you will meet someone coming in the opposite direction.
Bike lanes can be designated using solid white lines.

Freeway driving

You use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of other vehicles before pulling onto the roadway.
On the interstate system, go to the next exit and turn around.

Parking rules

You stop before touching the bumper of the vehicle behind, then shift to drive and adjust within the space.
A blue curb indicates a handicap restriction.
You move forward slowly, turning the wheel, until the vehicle reaches the middle of the space.
The curb is used as a block: you stop as the tire nearest the curb just touches it, so a rolling vehicle goes away from traffic.

Railroad crossings

When the emergency contact number on an ENS sign is called, it is answered by railroad dispatchers.
Crossings without lights or gates give no signal, so you must slow down, look both ways and be ready to stop for a train.
The round yellow warning sign is placed along the road prior to a highway-railroad grade crossing.

Pedestrians

Driving on a sidewalk is illegal except to cross it, such as at a driveway.
Mid-block crosswalks require you to yield as you would at a corner, and they have warning signs and pavement markings.
The manual says a pedestrian must walk where there is a sidewalk.

Sharing the road

When passing a large vehicle, look for the whole front of the vehicle in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front and maintaining speed.
An orange and red triangle on the rear of vehicles drawn by animals, farm equipment or construction equipment means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph.
Practicing asking yourself “What If” helps you decide how to minimize the risk by changing direction, changing speed and/or communicating.
Signaling your intentions lets the motorcyclist anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

Seat belts and child safety

The driver of a passenger car is responsible for ensuring that all children in the vehicle are properly protected with the appropriate occupant restraints.
The manual says to lock the vehicle's doors and turn on the childproof locks if children are in the vehicle.

Distracted and drowsy driving

The handbook suggests finding a safe parking area to take a 15 to 20-minute nap.
The handbook says to avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers that may distract your attention from the road.
If one person is doing all the driving, 6 to 8 hours in any one day should be considered the limit.

Emergencies

Releasing the pedals lets you determine if the vehicle is losing traction to the front or rear tires.
The manual says that to avoid a collision you can brake, steer or accelerate.
Do not use radios connected to an external antenna mounted on the vehicle during a lightning storm.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

Work zone signs warn of workers ahead, reduced speed, detours, slow moving construction equipment and poor or suddenly changing road surfaces.
You must move to the right, pull over to the curb or edge of the road, and stop for an approaching siren or flashing lights.
Traffic patterns in work zones can change daily, including lane shifts or alternating lane closures.

Insurance and crash reports

Failing to maintain continuous liability insurance is a mandatory indefinite suspension.

Losing your license

Conviction of three moving violations within a twelve-month period is a ground for suspension.
Attempting to elude a police officer is a ground for revocation.