Kansas KDOR · Quick Reference 2026
Kansas Driver's License Cheat Sheet
All the key numbers, limits, and rules from the official Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022). Print it, screenshot it, memorize it.
| Trigger | Consequence |
|---|
| 3 moving violations within 12 months (K.S.A. 8-255) | License suspension (p.14) |
| Refusing chemical test — 1st (K.S.A. 8-1001) | 1-year suspension (p.14) |
| Refusing chemical test — 2nd | 2-year suspension (p.14) |
| Refusing chemical test — 3rd | 3-year suspension (p.14) |
| Refusing chemical test — 4th | 10-year suspension (p.14) |
| 5th failure/refusal (K.S.A. 8-1001) | Permanent revocation (p.15) |
| Failing to appear for court date | Mandatory indefinite suspension (p.14) |
| Failing to maintain continuous insurance | Mandatory indefinite suspension (p.14) |
| DUI (0.08%+) or open container | Suspension (p.14) |
| Vehicular homicide / reckless driving / eluding officer | License revocation (p.14–15) |
| Work zone speeding fines | Doubled (p.39) |
| Stage | Detail |
|---|
| Instruction Permit (Class C or M) — minimum age | 14 years old (p.12). Under 16: parent/guardian written application required. Valid 1 year; renewable by retaking written test (p.14). |
| Instruction Permit — supervisor requirement | Licensed adult at least 21 years old with at least 1 year of driving experience, seated in front seat. No other passengers in front seat (p.12). |
| Permit hold before Restricted License | At least 1 year (for applicants under 17) — does NOT include driver's ed permit time (p.12) |
| Restricted License (age 15) — supervised hours | 25 hours + approved driver's ed course (p.12) |
| Restricted License (age 16) — supervised hours | 50 hours total, including at least 10 at night (p.12) |
| Restricted License — solo driving hours | 5 AM – 9 PM freely. Also permitted at any hour: to/from school & school activities, to/from religious activities, to/from employment (p.11–12) |
| Restricted License — passenger restriction | Only 1 non-sibling minor passenger allowed at any time (p.12–13) |
| Restrictions fully removed | At age 16 after holding Restricted License for 6 months (p.12) |
| Unrestricted Non-Commercial Class C License | Minimum age 17. Pass vision, written & driving tests (or gold DE-99 from driver's ed). Parent/guardian affidavit if under 18 (p.13). |
| No wireless devices while driving | All Instruction Permit and Restricted License holders — except to report illegal activity or summon emergency help (p.11–12). Also: ALL Kansas drivers prohibited from texting/writing/reading while driving (K.S.A. 8-1598, p.19). |
| License expires | On the driver's birthday (p.15) |
| Rule | Distance / Number |
|---|
| Signal before turning / lane change | 100 feet |
| Dim high beams — oncoming vehicle | About one block distance from oncoming vehicle (p.91) |
| Dim high beams — following vehicle | Use low beams when following another vehicle, in heavy traffic, fog, snow, or hard rain (p.91) |
| Following distance (prime conditions) | 2 seconds minimum (p.17, p.62) |
| Following distance (adverse conditions) | 4 seconds — rain, snow, ice, fog (p.17) |
| Bicycle passing | Slow down and allow as much space as possible when passing a bicyclist. Do not pass immediately before a right turn (p.81) |
| Parallel park — distance from curb | 12 inches |
| Stopping distance at 50 mph | Minimum 268 feet (perception + reaction + braking, p.58) |
| Pass safely at 55 mph — sight distance needed | 1,600 feet (≈⅓ mile) |
| School zone | 20 mph when properly marked (p.16). Reduce speed; obey posted signs; be prepared to stop for children. |
| Item | Cost / Detail |
|---|
| License / Permit fees | See current fee schedule at www.ksrevenue.gov/dovlicenses.html |
| Test attempts before 6-month wait | 4 attempts — re-exam fee $1.50 each (p.14) |
| New resident license deadline | 90 days of moving to Kansas (p.11) |
| CDL renewal | CDL holders must renew at a full-service driver's license station (p.14) |
| License expires | On your birthday (p.15). If expired more than 1 year, full testing required (p.14). |
| Renewal notice | Division of Vehicles sends notice at least 30 days before expiration. $1.00 penalty for expired license (p.14). |
| Vision test | Required for all license applicants — measures acuity and peripheral vision; corrective lenses restriction added if needed |
| Work zone speeding fines | Doubled (p.39) |
| Continuous liability insurance required | Failure to maintain = mandatory indefinite suspension (K.S.A. 40-3104, p.14) |
| Rule | Detail |
|---|
| Child safety seat (Primary Law) | Children under age 4 must be in a federally-approved child safety seat (K.S.A. 8-1344, p.16) |
| Booster seat required | Children ages 4 to 8 — unless taller than 4'9" OR weighs more than 80 lbs; then seatbelt OK (p.16) |
| Seatbelt required | Children age 8 and older must use a seatbelt (p.16) |
| Rear-facing infant seat | Infants from birth to at least age 1, and until at least 20 pounds, should ride in a rear-facing infant seat in the back seat (p.28) |
| Rear seat required | All children under age 14 must be in rear seat while vehicle is in motion (K.S.A. 8-2501, p.27) |
| Air bag — rear seat recommendation | Children age 12 and under in rear seat to avoid air bag injury (p.28) |
| Seatbelt law | Primary Violation in Kansas — officer may stop vehicle solely for unrestrained front-seat adult or any unrestrained child (K.S.A. 8-2501, p.16) |