Driver's License Examination
An examination is required when an applicant for a license does not have a valid driver’s license, or answers in the affirmative that he has had a prior revocation, suspension, or refusal of a license.
Eye test (20/40 vision acuity required) and written and driving tests are required for original license.
An applicant for an initial Driver’s license shall be examined by the DMV prior to the issuance of a license. The applicant must pass a vision test, a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs and the applicant’s knowledge of the traffic laws of the state, and a road test.
Graduated Driver's Licensing
Kansas has a system of graduated licensing for novice drivers.
At age 14, and individual may apply for a learner’s permit.
- Vision and written tests are required to obtain a learner’s permit.
- Learner’s permit holders may drive at any time when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.
Drivers who have held a learner’s permit for at least 12 months are eligible to receive a restricted license. Applicants for a restricted license must be at least 15 years of age, but less than 16, and have completed driver’s education. Drivers must complete at least 50 (10 at night) hours of supervised driving to move to the next stage at age 16.
- Restricted license holders under 16 may drive to and from school (not school activities); to, from or in connection with any employment religious service, or farm-related work, or at any time when accompanied by a licensed adult driver in the front seat.
- Restricted license holders 16 and older have a night time limit of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., except to or from employment, farm-related work, religious service, or school-related activities, or when accompanied by a licensed adult driver.
- Restricted license holders under 16 may not have any non-sibling minor passengers. Restricted license holders 16 and older are not permitted to transport more than 1 non-immediate family member under 18.
At age 16 and 6 months, drivers are eligible for an unrestricted license.
Driver's License Issuance/Application
Every applicant shall indicate for which category of license he or she is applying.
Each applicant must provide the following: name, proof of age, sex, address, a brief physical description, whether the applicant has been licensed before, and whether the applicant has ever had a license suspended or revoked.
Commercial applicants must also provide a social security number, color photograph, and consent to release driving record information. A waiver of the skills test for a commercial driver’s license will be allowed if the applicant can provide evidence of certain recent military commercial vehicle driving experience and meets additional qualifications.
Applicants for driver’s licenses to submit their social security or taxpayer identification number. If an applicant does not have either document, the person must submit a sworn statement stating they do not have either one.
Licensees shall submit to an examination for a license whenever the DMV has good cause to believe that such person is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, or if the person has had a license suspended.
Upon payment of the required fee, the DMV shall issue to every qualified applicant a driver’s license that contains the class or classes of motor vehicles that the licensee is entitled to drive, a distinguishing number that may be a social security number, the name, date of birth, address, brief physical description, color photograph, and signature of the licensee.
Licenses of persons under age 18, between the ages of 18 through 21, and 21 and over shall be distinguishable from each other.
Licenses are to be carried and exhibited on demand.
Social security number on license is not allowed.
No person shall operate a vehicle without a valid Driver’s license.
Driver's License Renewal
Licenses issued to persons less than 21 years of age or more than 65 years of age shall expire on the 4th anniversary of the license that is nearest the date of application. Licenses that expire on the 21st birthday of the holder must be renewed within 45 days of the date of expiration.
Commercial driver’s licenses shall expire on the 4th anniversary of the date of birth of the licensee nearest the date of application.
Every license shall be renewable on or before its expiration upon application and payment of the required fee and successful completion of required examinations.
Prior to renewal, the applicant shall pass a vision test. In lieu of this provision, the applicant can submit a vision test from a licensed physician or optometrist taken within 3 months of the application, and can complete the examination furnished with the notice of expiration of license and submit it with the application.
For licenses that expire while the holder is outside the country, a renewal will be provided by mail.
For military personnel, the Kansas DMV will renew their driver’s licenses regardless of whether their license is currently expired (no time limitation). For military dependents, license is renewed only if it has been expired for less than 1 year. Licensure terms are the same for military persons as the general public. If they are stationed out of state and their license expires, they must contact the Kansas DMV, fax a copy of their driver’s license and military id, give their current mailing address, and the test and booklet will be mailed to them to complete and return. Dependents use the same process. Their previous photo will be used from the DMV’s files to produce the new license.
Licenses issued to persons between the ages of 21 and 65 expire on the 6th anniversary of the date of birth of the licensee that is nearest the date of application.
Types of Driver's Licenses
Commercial Licenses:
Class A: Motor vehicles including any combination of vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., provided the GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Class B: Motor vehicles including any single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR.
Class C: Motor vehicles including any single vehicle 26,000 lbs. GVWR or less, any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR, or any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers or any vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials that cause the vehicle to be placarded, if the combined weight of the vehicles is 26,000 lbs. GVWR or less.
Non-Commercial Licenses:
Class A: Motor vehicles including any combination of vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., provided the GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Class B: Motor vehicles including any single vehicle with a GVWR over 26,000 lbs., or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR. Class B vehicles do not include vehicles registered as farm trucks in excess of 26,000 lbs. GVWR.
Class C: Motor vehicles including any single vehicle 26,000 lbs. GVWR or less, any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR, or any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less towing a vehicle in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR, or any single vehicle registered as a farm truck with a GVWR exceeding 26,000 lbs.
Class M: Includes motorcycles.
In each classification, holders of Class A licenses may drive Class B and C vehicles, and holders of Class B licenses may operate Class C vehicles.
Any person between the ages of 14 and 16 and who resides upon or works upon a farm may apply for a farm permit. The farm permit allows the licensee to operate a motor vehicle while going to or from any job, to and from school, at any time when a licensed adult is in the vehicle, or if a motorcycle license, when a licensed adult is in the general proximity of the licensee.