Where to go for your Wichita driver's license
In Wichita, you get your driver's license from the Kansas Department of Revenue's Driver's License Bureau. The main office is located at 915 SW Jackson Street, Wichita, KS 67213. This is the only place in Wichita where you can take your written test, road test, and receive your license on the same day if you pass both.
You can also renew an existing Kansas license by mail or online if you meet certain conditions — no vision or medical changes, no address change, and your license is not suspended or revoked. But if you are getting your first license or need to test, you must go in person to the Jackson Street office.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no appointment system; you arrive and take a number. Wait times vary but are often longest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Arriving early or late in the day typically means shorter lines.
Key Takeaways
- The Kansas Department of Revenue Driver's License Bureau at 915 SW Jackson Street is the only place in Wichita to test and receive your license.
- You need a Social Security number, proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, and a completed DL44 form before you arrive.
- The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; you must score at least 80 percent to pass.
- If you fail the road test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment, but you must pay the test fee each time.
- A standard Kansas driver's license is valid for six years and costs $24 for a first-time license.
Documents you need to bring
Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. You need proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), one form of government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver's license), and two forms of proof that you live in Kansas.
For proof of Kansas residency, the DMV accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and current address. Both documents must show your current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill counts as one; you still need a second form.
You also need a completed process for Kansas Driver's License or Instruction Permit (form DL44). You can fill this out at home and bring it, or fill it out at the office. Bring your current out-of-state license if you have one — the office will keep it.
The written test in Wichita
The written test has 25 questions about Kansas traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You must answer at least 20 questions correctly (80 percent) to pass. The test is taken on a computer at the Jackson Street office and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
You can study using the Kansas Driver's Manual, which is free and available online at the Kansas Department of Revenue website. The manual covers everything on the test. Many people study it for a few hours the night before and pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day by paying the test fee again, or you can schedule another visit.
If you are under 16, you must first get an instruction permit and hold it for at least 14 days before you can take the road test. The written test is the same whether you are getting a permit or a license.
The road test and what happens after
After you pass the written test, you take the road test with an examiner. The test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, parking, stopping, and following traffic laws. You must use your own vehicle or a vehicle provided by a driving school; the examiner will not provide one.
The examiner watches for smooth steering, proper use of mirrors, correct signaling, safe speed, and awareness of other traffic. Common reasons people fail are hitting the curb while parking, rolling through a stop sign, or not checking mirrors. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. Each road test costs $24.
If you pass both tests, you receive your license the same day. Your photo is taken at the office, and you walk out with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to your address. The plastic card arrives within two to three weeks.
Cost and license validity
A standard Kansas driver's license costs $24 for a first-time license and is valid for six years. If you are 16 or 17, your license is valid for four years. The fee covers the written test, road test, and the license itself; there are no separate charges if you pass on your first try.
If you fail the written test or road test, you pay $24 each time you retake it. Some people budget for two or three attempts. The fee is the same whether you retake the test the same day or schedule a new appointment.
You can renew your license by mail or online starting 90 days before it expires, but only if you have no suspensions, no medical changes, and no address change. If any of those explore, you must renew in person at the Jackson Street office.
Real ID and standard licenses in Kansas
Kansas offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a Real ID-compliant license. The standard license works for driving and state ID purposes but cannot be used for federal air travel after May 7, 2025. A Real ID license can be used for both driving and federal air travel.
Both cost the same ($24 for a first-time license). The Real ID version requires one additional document: a certified birth certificate or passport. If you already have a passport or birth certificate, bring it. If you do not, you can order a birth certificate from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment before your appointment, though this takes time.
Most people in Wichita choose the Real ID version because the cost is identical and it covers more uses. You can always upgrade from a standard license to Real ID at your next renewal if you decide later.
What to expect on your visit day
Arrive with all documents, your completed DL44 form, and cash or a debit card (the office does not accept credit cards). Plan for one to three hours depending on how busy the office is. You will check in at the front desk, wait for your number to be called, take the written test, and if you pass, schedule your road test for the same day or a future date.
If you schedule the road test for the same day, you will wait again for the examiner to be available. This can add another 30 minutes to an hour. If the office is very busy, you may be offered a road test appointment for a later date instead.
Bring a valid vehicle for the road test with working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. The vehicle must be insured and registered. If you use someone else's vehicle, bring a note from the owner saying you have permission to use it for the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online from home?
No. The written test must be taken in person at the Kansas Department of Revenue office in Wichita. You cannot take it online or by mail. You must visit 915 SW Jackson Street to test.
What if I fail the road test — can I retake it the same day?
Yes. You can retake the road test the same day if an examiner is available and you pay the $24 test fee again. If the office is busy, you may be offered an appointment for a later date instead. Either way, you do not have to wait weeks between attempts.
Do I need to take a driver's education course before I test?
No course is required for adults. If you are under 16, you must hold an instruction permit for at least 14 days before you can take the road test, but a formal course is not mandatory. Many people study the Kansas Driver's Manual on their own and pass.
What happens if I move out of Wichita but stay in Kansas?
You do not need to get a new license. Your Kansas license is valid statewide. You only need to update your address, which you can do by mail, online, or in person at any Kansas DMV office. An address change by mail or online is free.
How long does it take to receive my plastic license card in the mail?
Your plastic card is mailed to your address within two to three weeks after you pass your tests. You receive a temporary paper license the same day you pass, which is valid for 30 days. The paper license and your temporary status are enough to drive legally while you wait for the card.