Kansas Permit Test — Frequently Asked Questions

The Kansas KDOR knowledge test has 25 questions. You need to answer at least 20 correctly (80%) to pass. There is no official time limit. Any test failed may not be retaken the same day. Study the Kansas Driving Handbook at www.ksrevenue.gov/dovdl.html to prepare (p.11).

In Kansas, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered DUI for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 face Zero Tolerance — you can be arrested for alcohol impairment at a BAC of 0.02% (p.23). All states have Zero Tolerance laws for drivers under 21. Even under 0.08%, you can still be convicted if driving is impaired. Vision is impacted at .02 BAC for all drivers (p.23).

A first DUI conviction in Kansas (K.S.A. 8-1567): fine of $750–$1,000 plus court costs; minimum 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service; license suspended; and a required ignition interlock device. A BAC of 0.08%+ may trigger a 30-day license suspension. For second and subsequent convictions, penalties are much worse (p.23–24).

Under Kansas's implied consent law (K.S.A. 8-1001), you give consent to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) whenever you drive on a public highway. Refusing a BAC test results in: 1-year suspension (1st refusal), 2 years (2nd), 3 years (3rd), 10 years (4th), and permanent revocation on the 5th refusal (p.14). These penalties are separate from any DUI conviction penalties.

Your driving privileges may be suspended for conviction of three (3) moving violations within any 12-month period (K.S.A. 8-255). Additional causes of suspension or revocation include: DUI (0.08%+), refusing a chemical test, failing to maintain continuous liability insurance, failing to appear for a court date, vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and attempting to elude a police officer. A 5th test result of 0.08%+ or 5th refusal = permanent revocation (K.S.A. 8-1001, p.14).

Kansas GDL: Instruction Permit available at age 14. Restricted License at age 15 (with 25 hrs supervised + 1-year permit hold + approved driver's ed course) or age 16 (with 50 hrs supervised, 10 at night). All driving restrictions are removed at age 16 after 6 months on a Restricted License. Unrestricted Non-Commercial Class C available at age 17. Parent/guardian must sign an affidavit for supervised driving hours if under 18 (p.9–13).

With a Kansas Restricted License, you may drive freely from 5 AM to 9 PM. You may also drive at any hour to/from school and authorized activities, to/from religious activities, and to/from employment. When with a licensed adult in the front seat, any time is permitted. All restrictions removed at age 16 after 6 months on Restricted License. During the first 6 months, max 1 non-sibling minor passenger. No wireless devices while driving at any time except to report illegal activity or summon emergency help (p.11–12).

Kansas KDOR driver licensing fees vary by license class and age. The re-exam fee for retaking a failed knowledge test is $1.50 (K.S.A.). You have 4 chances to pass the knowledge test; after the 4th failure you must wait 6 months. You can take the knowledge exam at any full-service KDOR driver licensing station or online at ks.knowtodrive.com. Visit ksrevenue.gov for the current fee schedule.

Kansas child restraint law (K.S.A. 8-1344): children under 4 must be in a federally-approved child safety seat. Children 4 to 8 must use a child safety seat or booster seat — unless the child is taller than 4'9" or weighs more than 80 lbs (then seatbelt is OK). Children 8 and older must use a seatbelt. All children under age 14 must be secured in the rear seat while the vehicle is in motion. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an active passenger air bag (p.16, 28).

Anyone driving in Kansas must obtain a Kansas driver's license within 90 days of moving to Kansas (p.11). New residents must pass a vision test and surrender their out-of-state license. Military members on active duty, out-of-state students, and temporary business trainees may drive on their valid home-state license. Foreign visitors with valid immigration documents may drive for up to 1 year.