Kansas DMV Guide: Permit, License, and Road Test
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Getting your instruction permit in Kansas follows a straightforward path once you understand the steps. This guide explains who is eligible, the documents you need to bring, the knowledge test you must pass, and what comes next, all handled through the Kansas Department of Revenue (DOR) Division of Vehicles. Kansas allows younger teens to begin the licensing process early, so knowing the order of steps helps you avoid an extra trip to the office.
Requirements, fees, and accepted documents can change over time, and local offices may differ in their scheduling. Always confirm the current process with the Kansas DOR or your local office before you go so you bring everything you need on the first try.
14
Permit age
25
Test questions
20 (80%)
To pass
$10 total ($2 issuance + $8 photo fee)
Permit fee
Step by step: getting your Kansas permit
Step 1: Confirm you meet the age requirement
In Kansas you can generally apply for an instruction permit at 14. Younger applicants are subject to specific supervision and progression rules, so review the current age and stage requirements before you apply so you know exactly what your permit will allow.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Kansas requires you to prove your identity, your Social Security number, and your Kansas residency. Applicants under 18 generally need a parent or guardian to provide consent in person.
- Proof of identity such as a birth certificate or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Documents showing Kansas residency
- Parent or guardian consent if you are under 18
Step 3: Complete the application
Fill out the permit application provided by the Division of Vehicles. Double-check that your name, date of birth, and address match your supporting documents exactly, since mismatches are a common reason applications get held up at the counter.
Step 4: Pass the knowledge test
Take the 25-question written knowledge test and score at least 80 percent, which is 20 correct answers, to pass. Practicing with realistic questions beforehand makes the wording and format familiar so you can concentrate on choosing the safest answer.
Step 5: Pass the vision screening and pay the fee
Complete a brief vision screening and pay the permit fee. Bring corrective lenses if you use them. Once you meet the requirements, your instruction permit is generally issued the same day.
After you pass the knowledge test
With your Kansas instruction permit you can practice driving while supervised by a qualifying licensed adult. Kansas uses a graduated licensing approach, so before advancing to the next stage you will generally need to hold the permit for a required period and gain supervised experience, including driving after dark. Tracking your practice hours keeps you ready to move forward when the time comes.
Tips for Kansas new drivers
Practice in different settings, from open highways to small-town main streets and gravel rural roads, since all of these are common in Kansas. High winds and sudden storms are part of driving here, so learn to slow down and add following distance when visibility drops. Keep your permit with you whenever you drive, keep your supervising adult beside you as required, and follow any passenger or nighttime limits that apply to your stage.
Kansas permit and test fees
$10 total ($2 issuance + $8 photo fee)
Regular learner's permit issuance for all ages; the credential fee chart shows no separate test fee on the learner's permit line.
Retest: The fee chart lists a $1.50 fee for each reexam taken within 6 months of the last exam; if testing is not completed within 6 months, a $3.00 abandonment fee applies.
Kansas adds an $8 photo fee to every credential, so the at-the-counter total for a learner's permit is $10. The chart's examiner notes state the first exam attempt costs $3.00, waived for applicants with a driver's education form. Fee chart last updated 5/2023.
Kansas permit restrictions and supervised driving
While you hold the permit
Supervised practice: 50 hours of driving with at least 10 at night, certified by a parent/guardian affidavit (at least 25 of those hours required by age 15 to hold the restricted license)
Hold period: Instruction permit (or farm permit) must be held at least 1 year before advancing to a restricted license
- A licensed adult at least 21 must be in the front seat at all times
- No use of wireless communication devices except to report illegal activity or summon medical or emergency help
- Parental approval required for 14- and 15-year-old applicants
After you upgrade (provisional/intermediate)
- Restricted license (ages 15-16) limits driving to work, the direct route to and from school, religious activity, or anytime with a licensed adult at least 21
- With less-restricted privileges at 16, driving is allowed 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. plus work, school activities, and religious worship, with no more than one non-sibling passenger under 18
- Restrictions are lifted after the restricted credential is held 6 months or the driver turns 17, whichever comes first, with a clean record
Restriction details change. Confirm current rules with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Kansas road test requirements
Applicants take a vision test and a written and drive test (or present a driver education certificate of completion) to obtain the restricted or full license.
What to bring
- Acceptable proof of identity and, for minors, parental approval
- Proof of an instruction permit held at least one year and a completed 50-hour affidavit (10 at night)
- Driver education completion certificate where applicable
Vehicle requirements
- A safe, properly registered vehicle for the drive test
- Valid insurance as required by Kansas law
Kansas driver handbook summary
Kansas lays out graduated licensing in age-based tiers that progressively widen driving privileges as teens gain experience. The Division of Vehicles materials emphasize holding the permit a full year, the 50-hour practice affidavit with 10 night hours, and the device rule that allows use only for emergencies. Time-of-day and single-non-sibling-passenger limits define the restricted phase.
Practice for the Kansas test
The fastest way to pass is to rehearse real test format. Our Kansas questions are balanced across the categories the DOR tests.
Find a DOR office in Kansas
Most permits are issued in person. Find your nearest DOR location before you go, and check whether you need an appointment.
Map results come from Google and may include third-party services. Always confirm the office location, hours, and whether an appointment is required on the official DOR website before visiting.
Official Kansas sources
Kansas licensing FAQ
How much does the Kansas permit cost?
$10 total ($2 issuance + $8 photo fee). Regular learner's permit issuance for all ages; the credential fee chart shows no separate test fee on the learner's permit line. Kansas adds an $8 photo fee to every credential, so the at-the-counter total for a learner's permit is $10. The chart's examiner notes state the first exam attempt costs $3.00, waived for applicants with a driver's education form. Fee chart last updated 5/2023. See the full Kansas fee breakdown and official source on our permit cost page.
What score do I need to pass the Kansas written test?
The Kansas knowledge test has 25 questions and you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass.
How many supervised driving hours does Kansas require?
50 hours of driving with at least 10 at night, certified by a parent/guardian affidavit (at least 25 of those hours required by age 15 to hold the restricted license). Confirm the current requirement and any logging rules with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
How old do I have to be for a Kansas permit?
Generally 14. Confirm the current requirements with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
What documents do I need?
Proof of identity, your Social Security number, Kansas residency, and parent or guardian consent if you are under 18.
Do I have to take a test?
Yes, a 25-question written knowledge test and a vision screening are required to get the permit.
Is there a fee?
Yes, a permit fee applies. Check the current amount with the Kansas DOR or your local office.