How to Renew Your Kansas Driver's License

Renewing Your Kansas Driver's License Online, by Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Kansas driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Kansas Department of Revenue office. The online route is fastest — you can complete it in minutes if your license hasn't expired more than five years ago and you haven't changed your name, address, or medical status. By mail takes about two weeks. In person is when ready but requires a trip to an office during business hours.

Your renewal window opens 90 days before your license expires. You don't have to wait until the last minute, and renewing early doesn't extend your expiration date — it resets to four years from the renewal date for standard licenses, or eight years if you hold a REAL ID-compliant license.

Kansas licenses expire on your birthday. Check the expiration date on the front of your card to know when your window opens.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes minutes and costs $24 if you're renewing a standard license or $44 for a REAL ID license, but only works if your license expired less than five years ago and nothing major has changed.
Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and payment to the Kansas Department of Revenue; it takes about two weeks and costs the same as online.
In-person renewal at any Kansas Department of Revenue office is when ready and works even if your license expired more than five years ago, but you'll need to bring documents proving your identity and Kansas residency.
REAL ID-compliant licenses cost more to renew but are required for federal building access and domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online or by mail — you must go in person and may need to retake the written test.

Online Renewal Through the Kansas Department of Revenue Website

Go to kdor.ks.gov and select the driver's license renewal option. You'll need your current Kansas license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against state records.

Online renewal is available only if all of these are true: your license expired less than five years ago, you haven't changed your legal name, you haven't moved to a different address, and you have no new medical conditions to report. If any of these changed, you must renew in person.

The fee is $24 for a standard license or $44 for a REAL ID license. Pay by debit or credit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your expired license until the new one arrives.

Mail Renewal: What to Send and How Long It Takes

read the DL 43 form (process for Renewal of Driver's License) from the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Fill it out completely, sign it, and mail it with your current license and a check or money order for $24 (standard) or $44 (REAL ID) to:

Kansas Department of Revenue Driver's License Bureau PO Box 12879 Topeka, KS 66612-2879

Processing takes about two weeks from the date the department receives your packet. Mail delivery adds time on both ends, so plan for three to four weeks total. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process.

Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license must have expired less than five years ago, and you cannot have changed your name, address, or medical status. If any of these explore to you, renew in person instead.

In-Person Renewal at a Kansas Department of Revenue Office

Visit any Kansas Department of Revenue office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours vary by location. Find the office nearest you and its hours on the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

Bring your current license, proof of Kansas residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of identity (your Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport). If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the legal change.

The fee is $24 for a standard license or $44 for a REAL ID license. Pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Your new license is printed on site and issued when ready. You can drive on it right away.

In-person renewal is the only option if your license expired more than five years ago. You may also be asked to retake the written test or vision test if the department has concerns about your driving record or medical status.

Standard License Versus REAL ID: What's the Difference and Why It Matters

A standard Kansas driver's license works for driving and state identification but cannot be used for federal building access or domestic air travel. A REAL ID-compliant license meets federal security standards and can be used for all of those purposes.

Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID license or a passport to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you renew your standard license now, you'll have to renew again to get REAL ID compliance before that date.

REAL ID renewal costs $44 instead of $24. You must renew in person and bring the same documents as a standard renewal, plus proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card or a tax return) and proof of Kansas residency. The process takes the same amount of time — your new license is issued on site.

What to Do If Your License Expired More Than Five Years Ago

You cannot renew online or by mail if your license has been expired for more than five years. You must go in person to a Kansas Department of Revenue office.

Bring your expired license, proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, or Social Security card), and proof of Kansas residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). You will likely be asked to retake the written test and vision test, and you may be asked to provide a new photo.

The fee is the same: $24 for a standard license or $44 for a REAL ID license. Processing is when ready. If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or return another day to try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before the 90-day window opens?

No. The Kansas Department of Revenue system will not accept a renewal request until 90 days before your expiration date. If you try to renew early, the online system will reject it, and a mailed process will be returned. Check your license expiration date and wait until that window opens.

What if I've moved out of Kansas since my last license?

You cannot renew a Kansas license if you no longer live in Kansas. You must get a license from your new state instead. If you're moving soon but still live in Kansas, renew now before you move.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

For online and mail renewal, your current photo is used. For in-person renewal, a new photo is taken on site. If you renew online or by mail and want a new photo, you'll have to renew in person next time.

How long can I drive on an expired license while waiting for my new one?

You can drive on your expired license until your new one arrives. Once your new license is issued, your old one is no longer valid. If you renewed in person, your new license is valid when ready.

What if the Kansas Department of Revenue lost my mailed renewal packet?

Mail the packet again or renew in person instead. If you're concerned about delivery, renew online or in person — both are faster and give you when ready confirmation that your request was received.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.