I'm a new resident in Kansas: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Kansas. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Kansas

Each rule comes from the Kansas driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  You must have a Kansas driver's license within 90 days of moving to Kansas.

  What the manual says

  • If you have a valid license from another state

    You have 90 days after establishing residency to trade your out-of-state license for a Kansas driver’s license. If your out-of-state license is valid, you do not take the written or driving test. A vision test may be required. You present acceptable proof of identity and two proofs of Kansas residential address, and you must not be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. You are not eligible for a Kansas license with any out-of-state hold, and you turn in the licenses you held before.

  • The manual says you are required to have a Kansas driver’s license within 90 days of moving to Kansas.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 11

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Valid license: no written or driving test, vision test may be required. Expired license: all three tests.

  What the manual says

  • If you have a valid license from another state

    You have 90 days after establishing residency to trade your out-of-state license for a Kansas driver’s license. If your out-of-state license is valid, you do not take the written or driving test. A vision test may be required. You present acceptable proof of identity and two proofs of Kansas residential address, and you must not be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. You are not eligible for a Kansas license with any out-of-state hold, and you turn in the licenses you held before.

  • If your other license is expired

    If your out-of-state license is expired, you take the vision examination, the written examination and a driving examination.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Liability insurance

  Continuous liability insurance is required on your vehicle; failing to keep it means an indefinite suspension.

  What the manual says

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

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 14

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  16-year-olds: 5 a.m.-9 p.m., or anytime for work, authorized school activities, worship, or with a licensed 21+ adult up front.

  What the manual says

  • Less restricted privileges (age 16): what they allow

    At age 16 under the less restricted privileges you may drive anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., at any time when going to or from work or to or from authorized school activities, directly to or from religious worship services held by a religious organization, and at any time with a licensed adult who is 21 or older in the front seat. You may not use wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to call for medical or emergency help.

  • The restrictions for a 16-year-old list driving from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 13

  Source: [1] [4]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Age 15 restricted license: no minor passengers who are not siblings.

  What the manual says

  • The restrictions for a 15-year-old say no non-sibling minor passengers.

  • Restricted license (age 15): what it allows

    With the restricted license at age 15 you may drive to or from work, and to or from school on days when school is in session, directly between home and school over the most direct route (not to school activities); directly to or from any religious activity held by a religious organization; and at any time with a licensed adult who is 21 or older in the front seat. You may not carry non-sibling minor passengers, and you may not use wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or to call for medical or emergency help. At 16 you move to less restricted privileges if the 50-hour affidavit has been turned in and you maintain a satisfactory driving record.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 13

  Source: [1] [4]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Driver under 21 can be arrested for alcohol impairment at .02% BAC; under 21 may not drink alcohol.

  What the manual says

  • In Kansas, a driver under 21 can be arrested for alcohol impairment at .02%.
  • Under the age of 21 it is illegal to purchase, possess or drink alcoholic beverages.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 23, 22

• Refusing a chemical test

  Licensed drivers consent to lawful tests; refusal means a 1-year suspension (2 years for a second).

  What the manual says

  • Under Kansas implied consent law, getting a license means you have implicitly consented to a lawfully requested test if you are suspected of impaired driving.
  • Refusing a chemical test is a mandatory 1-year suspension for the 1st refusal.
  • The mandatory suspension is 2 years for the 2nd refusal.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 24, 14

• Seat belts

  Primary law: police can stop a vehicle solely for an unrestrained front-seat adult or an unrestrained child anywhere.

  What the manual says

  • Because seatbelt use is a primary violation, a vehicle can be stopped solely for an unrestrained adult in a front seat or an unrestrained child anywhere in the vehicle.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 16

• Child safety seats

  Children under age 4 must be in a federally approved child safety seat.

  What the manual says

  • All children under the age of 4 must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 16

• Phone use while driving

  Writing, sending or reading texts/email while driving is banned (not GPS); talking or dialing isn't specifically illegal for unrestricted drivers.

  What the manual says

  • Kansas law prohibits using any electronic device to write, send, or read a written communication while driving, including texting and email.
  • The ban includes texting, email or any other writing, but it does not include GPS devices or weather reports.
  • The manual states that talking, or dialing a phone number, on a cell phone is not specifically illegal in Kansas, although anything that distracts from driving is dangerous.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 19

• School buses

  Stop for a bus with flashing red lights, even oncoming; not if a median or barrier separates you.

  What the manual says

  • You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and/or stop arm extended.
  • On a multi-lane highway you must stop for a school bus whether it is on your side of the road or the opposite side.
  • The manual says you need not stop if the bus is traveling toward you and the roadway is separated by a median or other physical barrier.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 50, 51, 52

• Move Over law

  Leave the closest lane to a stopped emergency vehicle if safe, or slow to a safe speed.

  What the manual says

  • Under the move-over law you must vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle if safe and possible, or slow to a speed safe for road, weather and traffic conditions.
  • If it is not possible to change lanes, the driver must reduce speed and proceed with due caution.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 85, 18

• Headlights

  Headlights required whenever wipers are used; in fog, snow or heavy rain, low beams and fog lights are best.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says Kansas requires you to turn on your headlights whenever the wipers are used on the vehicle.
  • In fog, snow, or heavy rain you use your low beams and fog lights for best visibility, even during the day.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 67, 77

• Right turn on red

  Right on red allowed after stopping and checking traffic and pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • You may turn right on red after stopping and checking for traffic and pedestrians, if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on a red light.
  • With this sign posted you may not turn right or left on red and must wait for the green signal.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 34, 40

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: 30 mph in urban districts, 20 mph in marked school zones, 65 mph on State/Federal highways outside towns.

  What the manual says

  • Kansas law sets thirty miles per hour as the maximum speed in any urban district unless a different limit is posted.
  • A properly marked school zone has a maximum speed of 20 mph unless a different limit is posted.
  • Kansas law sets sixty-five miles per hour as the maximum on any State or Federal Highway outside of towns unless a different limit is posted.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 16

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower drivers stay in the right lane on multilane highways posted Slower Traffic Keep Right.

  What the manual says

  • This sign is posted on a multilane highway for those driving slower than the normal speed of traffic and tells them to stay in the right lane.

  Source: Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022), page 41

Official steps for moving to Kansas

• Driving on a license from elsewhere

  The handbook says some people may drive in Kansas on a valid license if they are at least 16 years old, for example members of the Armed Forces on active duty and their spouses and children, and students who live out of state and are considered non-residents for tuition purposes. A non-resident or visitor with a state license can drive in Kansas. If you move to Kansas, you must have a Kansas driver’s license within 90 days.

  Source: [1]

• If you have a valid license from another state

  You have 90 days after establishing residency to trade your out-of-state license for a Kansas driver’s license. If your out-of-state license is valid, you do not take the written or driving test. A vision test may be required. You present acceptable proof of identity and two proofs of Kansas residential address, and you must not be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. You are not eligible for a Kansas license with any out-of-state hold, and you turn in the licenses you held before.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• What to bring when you transfer

  For an out-of-state transfer you 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. In addition to the other documents, you present one of these: the out-of-state credential (temporary credentials and photocopies cannot be accepted), a motor vehicle record or report dated within the last 30 days, or a clearance letter dated within the last 30 days. If you have only a temporary license, or you lost your out-of-state license, you need a motor vehicle record or clearance letter from your state of issuance.

  Source: [3] [5]

• If your other license is expired

  If your out-of-state license is expired, you take the vision examination, the written examination and a driving examination.

  Source: [2] [3]

• If you have a permit from another state

  An out-of-state instruction permit does not transfer, and testing is required in Kansas. The law states that the instruction permit be issued in Kansas.

  Source: [3] [6]

• If you have a license from another country

  A license from another country generally means you must complete a vision, written and driving exam to get a Kansas license. The Division has pages about driver’s license reciprocity for some licenses, so check the Division’s reciprocity page before you go.

  Source: [3] [7]

Sources

1. Kansas Driving Handbook (Non-Commercial Driver’s Manual, revised February 2022) (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
2. Getting a Driver’s License (Obtaining Your First Kansas Driver’s License) (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
3. Driver’s License Frequently Asked Questions (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
4. Graduated Driver License Requirements for Teen Drivers (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
5. Driver’s License Proof of Identity (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Driving (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
7. South Korean Driver’s Licensing Reciprocity (ksrevenue.gov) — Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles