Renewing your Kansas driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Kansas driver's license through three routes: online at the Kansas Department of Revenue website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Driver Exam Station. Online renewal is the fastest option and available to most drivers whose licenses are not suspended and who have not changed their name or address since their last renewal. If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Driver Exam Station in person or request a renewal by mail through the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Your renewal window opens 12 months before your license expires and closes on your expiration date. Kansas driver's licenses are valid for six years for drivers under 65 and four years for drivers 65 and older. You will receive a postcard reminder in the mail about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for it to begin the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Kansas Department of Revenue website takes about 10 minutes and costs $20 for a standard six-year license.
- You can renew by mail only if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your name or address, and you are not renewing a commercial driver's license.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Exam Station is required if you have a suspended license, changed your name or address, or need to update your photo.
- Bring your current Kansas driver's license, proof of Kansas residency, and payment when renewing in person.
- If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test.
Online renewal through the Kansas Department of Revenue website
Online renewal is the quickest path if your license is current and you have not changed your name or address. Go to the Kansas Department of Revenue's online renewal portal, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and answer security questions to verify your identity. The system will display your current information and ask you to confirm it is still correct.
Pay the renewal fee of $20 using a credit or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary digital license via email that you can display on your phone while you wait for the physical card to arrive. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and works at traffic stops and for age verification.
You cannot renew online if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled; if you have changed your name since your last renewal; if you have changed your address and have not updated it with the Kansas Department of Revenue; or if you hold a commercial driver's license. In any of these cases, you must renew in person at a Driver Exam Station.
Renewing by mail through the Kansas Department of Revenue
Mail renewal is an option only if you meet the same conditions as online renewal: your license is not suspended, you have not changed your name or address, and you do not hold a commercial license. Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue at 785-296-3671 or visit a Driver Exam Station to request a mail renewal form. You can also read the form from the Kansas Department of Revenue website.
Complete the form, include your current driver's license, and mail both to the address listed on the form along with a check or money order for $20. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the Kansas Department of Revenue receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to your current address on file. If you need your renewal sooner, in-person renewal at a Driver Exam Station is faster.
In-person renewal at a Kansas Driver Exam Station
You must renew in person if your license is suspended, if you have changed your name or address, if you hold a commercial license, or if your license has been expired for more than two years. Bring your current Kansas driver's license, proof of Kansas residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $20. If you changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
Visit any Driver Exam Station during business hours. You do not need an appointment for renewal. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will have your photo taken and may be asked to pass a vision test, especially if your license has been expired or if you are renewing after age 65. Your temporary license will be issued on the spot, and your permanent license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
Find the Driver Exam Station nearest you on the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Stations are located in most counties and are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some stations have extended hours on certain days. Call ahead if you want to confirm hours or ask about wait times.
What happens if your license expires before you renew
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Kansas, even if you have started the renewal process. If you are pulled over, you can be cited. If your license has been expired for fewer than two years, you can still renew online, by mail, or in person using the standard process and fee.
If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person at a Driver Exam Station. You will pay the standard $20 renewal fee, but you may be required to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test. The Kansas Department of Revenue may also require you to provide additional proof of identity or residency. Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue to confirm what documents you need before you visit a station.
Renewing a commercial driver's license in Kansas
Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must renew in person at a Driver Exam Station. Bring your current CDL, proof of Kansas residency, and payment of $20. You will be required to pass a vision test and may be asked to pass a written test on commercial driving rules, depending on your endorsements and the time since your last renewal.
If your CDL is expiring soon and you drive commercially, schedule your renewal early to avoid any gap in your ability to work. Some Driver Exam Stations have longer wait times for commercial renewals, so calling ahead is a good idea. The Kansas Department of Revenue website lists all stations and their phone numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Kansas driver's license before the 12-month window opens?
No. The Kansas Department of Revenue will not process a renewal until 12 months before your expiration date. If you try to renew early, the system will reject your request. You can check your expiration date on your current license or by calling the Kansas Department of Revenue at 785-296-3671.
What if I changed my address but have not updated my driver's license yet?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your address on file does not match your current address. You must renew in person at a Driver Exam Station and bring proof of your new Kansas residency, such as a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days. The station will update your address and issue your new license.
How long is the temporary digital license valid?
The temporary digital license issued after online renewal is valid for 30 days. It can be displayed on your phone at traffic stops and for age verification. Once your physical license arrives in the mail, the temporary license expires automatically and you should use your new physical card.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your previous license is carried over to your new license. If you renew in person at a Driver Exam Station, a new photo will be taken. You can request a new photo at an in-person renewal even if it is not required.
What if my license was suspended and I have completed the suspension period?
You cannot renew online if your license is currently suspended, even if the suspension period has ended. You must visit a Driver Exam Station in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment. The station will check the status of your license and process your renewal if the suspension has been lifted.