Kansas driver licenses renew every six years, and you can renew in person at a Kansas DMV office or online if you meet certain conditions

Kansas issues driver licenses valid for six years from your birthday. When your license is within six months of expiring, you become may be able to access to renew. You have three main routes: renew online through the Kansas DMV website, renew by mail, or renew in person at a local DMV office. Which route you can use depends on your age, whether your address has changed, and whether you need a new photo.

The online renewal is the fastest option if you may have access to — it takes minutes and costs less than in-person renewal. However, not everyone can use it. If you are under 21, if your address has changed since your last license, or if your license has been suspended or revoked, you must renew in person. Mail renewal is also available but takes longer and is rarely the best choice.

Key Takeaways

  • Kansas driver licenses are valid for six years, and you can begin renewing six months before your birthday.
  • Online renewal through the Kansas DMV website is the fastest and cheapest option if your address has not changed and you are 21 or older.
  • If your address has changed, you are under 21, or your license has been suspended, you must renew in person at a Kansas DMV office.
  • In-person renewal requires your current license, proof of Kansas residency, and payment; most offices accept walk-ins but some require appointments.
  • Mail renewal is available but takes four to six weeks and is only practical if you cannot visit an office or use the online system.

Online renewal through the Kansas DMV website

The Kansas DMV website allows you to renew online if you meet all of these conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you are 21 or older, your address has not changed since your last renewal, and you do not need a new photo. You will need your current Kansas driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in.

The online process takes about five minutes. You will review your information, pay the renewal fee (which varies depending on whether you renew for four or six years), and receive a confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

The renewal fee for a six-year license is lower online than it is in person. If you are renewing for a four-year license instead, the fee is also lower. Check the Kansas DMV website for the exact current fees, as they change periodically.

In-person renewal at a Kansas DMV office

You must renew in person if your address has changed, if you are under 21, if your license has been suspended or revoked, or if you want a new photo. Bring your current Kansas driver license, proof of your current Kansas address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee.

Kansas has DMV offices in most counties. Some offices accept walk-ins during posted hours; others require you to book an appointment online through the Kansas DMV website. Call ahead or check the website to find out whether your local office takes appointments or walk-ins, and what hours it keeps. Processing time at the office is usually 15 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed.

If you need a new photo, the DMV will take one at the office. If you are renewing a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a star in the top right corner), you will need to bring additional proof of identity and citizenship — see the section below on REAL ID renewal.

REAL ID renewal in Kansas

Kansas REAL ID licenses are marked with a gold star in the top right corner and are required for federal purposes like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building. If your current license has a star and you want to renew it as a REAL ID license, you must renew in person and bring extra documents.

In addition to your current license and proof of address, you will need to bring one document proving your identity (such as a passport, birth certificate, or military ID) and one document proving your citizenship or lawful presence (such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card). The DMV will make copies of these documents. If you do not bring the required documents, you can still renew your license, but it will be issued as a standard (non-REAL ID) license without the star.

REAL ID renewal takes the same amount of time as standard renewal at the office. The fee is the same whether you renew as REAL ID or standard.

Mail renewal for Kansas driver licenses

You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked and your address has not changed. Mail your current license, a completed renewal form (available on the Kansas DMV website), and payment to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order — the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail.

Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the time the DMV receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to you, and you will receive a temporary paper license by mail as well. This route is slower and offers no advantage over online renewal if you are may be able to access for online, so most people skip it.

What happens if your Kansas license has expired

If your license has been expired for less than one year, you can renew it using the same process as a regular renewal — online, by mail, or in person. If your license expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been expired. Call your local Kansas DMV office to ask what you will need to bring.

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Kansas. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. If your license has been expired for more than a few months, renew it as soon as you can.

Renewal fees and payment methods

Kansas driver license renewal fees depend on the type of license and how long you renew it for. A standard six-year renewal costs less than an in-person renewal, and a four-year renewal costs less than a six-year renewal. REAL ID renewal costs the same as standard renewal. Check the Kansas DMV website for the exact current fees.

Online and in-person renewals accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. Mail renewal accepts checks and money orders only. If you renew in person, some offices may also accept cash, but call ahead to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Kansas license before six months before my birthday?

No. Kansas law requires that your license be within six months of expiration before you can renew. If you try to renew earlier, the system will reject your process. You can renew starting six months before your birthday and up to one year after it expires.

What if I moved to Kansas from another state?

If you have a valid out-of-state license, you can use it until it expires. When you are ready to renew, you must do so in person at a Kansas DMV office and bring your out-of-state license, proof of Kansas residency, and proof of identity. You cannot renew an out-of-state license online through the Kansas DMV.

Do I need an appointment at the Kansas DMV, or can I just walk in?

It depends on your local office. Some Kansas DMV offices accept walk-ins during all posted hours, while others require appointments. Check the Kansas DMV website or call your local office to find out. If appointments are required and you do not have one, you will be turned away.

How long does it take to receive my renewed license in the mail?

After you renew online or in person, your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days (in-person) or by mail (mail renewal) while you wait for the permanent license.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring a document proving the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew online if your name has changed.