Kansas driving laws
The rules your permit test asks about, in plain English. Each one is quoted from Kansas’s statutes or an official DOR page. Handbooks are often years out of date, so where the law has changed we follow the law.
Checked October 2, 2026.
The short version
- Phones and texting
- No Kansas driver may write, send or read a text, email or other written message while driving.
- Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
- Kansas DUI means driving at 0.08 BAC or more or while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Seat belts and child seats
- Everyone 14 and older in a passenger car must wear a seat belt, and younger children must be in a child seat, booster or belt as their age and size require.
Phones and texting
No Kansas driver may write, send or read a text, email or other written message while driving. Since July 1, 2026, drivers also may not use a hand-held phone in an active school zone or a posted work zone with workers present. Permit and restricted-license holders may not use a wireless device at all except to report a crime or call for help.
Official wording (11 sources)
“(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public road or highway while using a wireless communications device to write, send or read a written communication.”
ksrevisor.gov“a person who reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call;”
ksrevisor.gov“No person shall use a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone at a time when a reduced speed limit is enforced”
kslegislature.gov“while workers are present and signs are posted at the beginning of the road construction zone alerting drivers to such workers.”
kslegislature.gov“(3) a mobile telephone that is being used with a hands-free device.”
kslegislature.gov“A law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating the provisions of subsection (a). The provisions of this subsection shall expire on and after July 1, 2027.”
kslegislature.gov“House Substitute for Senate Bill 366 by Committee on Transportation - Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle in school or construction zones and providing penalties thereof”
kslegislature.gov“engaged in highway construction and maintenance operations. summarize Bill Summary html verified Signed by Governor”
kslegislature.gov“the permit holder shall not operate a wireless communication device while driving a passenger car, except that a permit holder may operate a wireless communications device while driving a passenger car to report illegal activity or to summons medical or other emergency help.”
ksrevisor.gov“Any licensee issued a restricted license under this section shall not operate a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle”
ksrevisor.gov“Unlawful display of license plate 8-15,110 $60 Unlawful text messaging 8-15,111 $60”
ksrevisor.gov
Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
Kansas DUI means driving at 0.08 BAC or more or while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers under 21 lose their license at 0.02, and the commercial-vehicle limit is 0.04. Refusing a test brings a one-year suspension followed by two years on an ignition interlock.
Official wording (8 sources)
“The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath as shown by any competent evidence, including other competent evidence, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1013 (f)(1), and amendments thereto, is 0.08 or more;”
ksrevisor.gov“It shall be unlawful for any person less than 21 years of age to operate or attempt to operate a vehicle in this state with a breath or blood alcohol content of .02 or greater.”
ksrevisor.gov“The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath, as shown by any competent evidence, including other competent evidence, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1013 (f)(1), and amendments thereto, is 0.04 or more;”
ksrevisor.gov“On the person's first occurrence, suspend the person's driving privileges for one year and at the end of the suspension, restrict the person's driving privileges for two years to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device;”
ksrevisor.gov“On a first conviction, a class B, nonperson misdemeanor. The person convicted shall be sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than six months' imprisonment, or in the court's discretion 100 hours of public service, and fined not less than $750 nor more than $1,000;”
ksrevisor.gov“On the person's first occurrence, suspend the person's driving privileges for 30 days and at the end of the suspension, restrict the person's driving privileges as provided by K.S.A. 8-1015 (b), and amendments thereto;”
ksrevisor.gov“the division shall restrict the person's driving privileges for 180 days to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.”
ksrevisor.gov“on the person's first occurrence, the person's driving privileges shall be suspended for 30 days and then restricted as provided by K.S.A. 8-1015 , and amendments thereto, for an additional 180 days”
ksrevisor.gov
Seat belts and child seats
Everyone 14 and older in a passenger car must wear a seat belt, and younger children must be in a child seat, booster or belt as their age and size require. Officers can stop a car for an unbelted front-seat occupant or child, but not for an unbelted adult in the back seat alone.
Official wording (9 sources)
“who is 18 years of age or older, shall have a safety belt properly fastened about such person's body at all times when the passenger car is in motion”
ksrevisor.gov“who is at least 14 years of age but less than 18 years of age, shall have a safety belt properly fastened about such person's body at all times when the passenger car is in motion.”
ksrevisor.gov“Law enforcement officers shall not stop drivers for violations of subsection (a)(1) by a back seat occupant in the absence of another violation of law.”
ksrevisor.gov“If a law enforcement officer sees an unrestrained adult in a front seat, or an unrestrained child anywhere in the vehicle, then that vehicle can be stopped”
ksrevenue.gov“For a child under the age of four years an appropriate child passenger safety restraining system that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications contained in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 213;”
ksrevisor.gov“for a child four years of age, but under the age of eight years and who weighs less than 80 pounds or is less than 4 feet 9 inches in height”
ksrevisor.gov“for a child eight years of age but under the age of 14 years or who weighs more than 80 pounds or is more than 4 feet 9 inches in height, a safety belt”
ksrevisor.gov“Persons violating K.S.A. 8-2503 (a)(1), and amendments thereto, shall be fined $30 and no court costs; and (2) persons violating K.S.A. 8-2503 (a)(2), and amendments thereto, shall be fined $60 and no court costs.”
ksrevisor.gov“It shall be unlawful for any driver to violate the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1344 , and amendments thereto, and upon conviction such driver shall be punished by a fine of $60.”
ksrevisor.gov
Move Over law
When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, or any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights, flares, cones or warning triangles, move to a lane not next to it if the road has two or more lanes your way and it is safe. Otherwise slow down to a safe speed. The same rule covers stopped garbage trucks and utility vehicles at work.
Official wording (7 sources)
“The driver of a motor vehicle upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720 or 8-1722 (d)”
ksrevisor.gov“The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stopped, standing or parked vehicle that is displaying hazard warning signal lamps, road flares or caution signals, including traffic cones, caution signs or reflective triangles, shall do either of the following:”
ksrevisor.gov“shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle; or”
ksrevisor.gov“but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions.”
ksrevisor.gov“upon approaching a stationary waste collection vehicle obviously and actually engaged in waste collection and displaying vehicular hazard warning signal lamps”
ksrevisor.gov“upon approaching a stationary authorized utility or telecommunications vehicle that is obviously and actually engaged in work upon a highway”
ksrevisor.gov“Unlawful passing of a stationary vehicle 8-15,116 $75”
ksrevisor.gov
School buses
Traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, and stay stopped until the bus moves or the lights and stop arm are turned off. You need not stop if the bus is on a different roadway of a divided highway.
Official wording (4 sources)
“The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on the school bus the flashing red lights”
ksrevisor.gov“the driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion or the flashing red lights and the stop signal arm are no longer actuated.”
ksrevisor.gov“The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway”
ksrevisor.gov“You must stop for a school bus when there is a center turning lane between the roadways”
ksrevenue.gov
Speed limits
Unless signs show otherwise: 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on county and township roads, 65 mph on other highways, and up to 75 mph on separated multilane highways where posted. School-zone limits are set and posted locally, and speeding fines double there.
Official wording (3 sources)
“In any urban district, 30 miles per hour; (2) on any separated multilane highway, as designated and posted by the secretary of transportation, 75 miles per hour; (3) on any county or township highway, 55 miles per hour; and (4) on all other highways, 65 miles per hour.”
ksrevisor.gov“relating to exceeding the maximum speed limit, shall be doubled if a person is convicted of exceeding the maximum speed limit in a school zone”
ksrevisor.gov“Fines listed in the uniform fine schedule contained in subsection (c) shall be doubled if a person is convicted of a traffic infraction, which is defined as a moving violation”
ksrevisor.gov
After a crash
If no officer is at the scene, the driver (or an adult occupant) must immediately report a crash to the nearest police authority when anyone is hurt or killed, damage appears to be $1,000 or more, or the other party isn't there to receive your information. Stop, exchange information and help anyone injured.
Official wording (4 sources)
“If no police officer is present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such accident, or any occupant of such vehicle 18 years of age or older, shall immediately report such accident, by the quickest available means of communication, to the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority if:”
ksrevisor.gov“There is apparently property damage of $1,000 or more; (2) any person involved in the accident is injured or killed;”
ksrevisor.gov“results in injury or death to any person or total damage to all property to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more, shall forward a written report of such accident to the department of transportation within 10 days after investigation of the accident.”
ksrevisor.gov“The division may require any driver or owner of a vehicle involved in an accident to file a written report whenever the division deems it necessary”
ksrevisor.gov
Insurance
Kansas requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage, along with personal injury protection (PIP).
Official wording (2 sources)
“not less than $25,000 because of bodily injury to, or death of, one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit for one person, to a limit of not less than $50,000 because of bodily injury to, or death of, two or more persons in any one accident”
ksrevisor.gov“and to a limit of not less than $25,000 because of harm to or destruction of property of others in any one accident;”
ksrevisor.gov
Motorcycle helmets
Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. Every motorcycle operator must wear shatterproof eye protection unless the bike has a windscreen at least 10 inches high, and passengers under 18 must always wear eye protection.
Official wording (3 sources)
“No person under the age of 18 years shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, unless wearing a helmet”
ksrevisor.gov“No person shall operate a motorcycle unless such person is wearing an eye-protective device which shall consist of protective glasses, goggles or transparent face shields which are shatter proof and impact resistant, except when the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen which has a minimum height of 10 inches measured from the center of the handlebars.”
ksrevisor.gov“No person under the age of 18 years shall ride as a passenger on a motorcycle unless such person is wearing an eye-protective device”
ksrevisor.gov
Motorcycle permit rules
From age 14 you can get a motorcycle instruction permit after passing every part of the exam except the riding test. It lasts one year. You may ride only with an adult 21+ who holds a Class M license and has a year of experience, riding a motorcycle nearby; riders under 17 may instead carry that adult as their passenger.
Official wording (5 sources)
“Any person who is at least 14 years of age, but less than 17 years of age may apply for an instruction permit to operate a motorcycle either separate from or in conjunction with an instruction permit to operate a passenger car.”
ksrevisor.gov“issue to the applicant an instruction permit for a period of one year.”
ksrevisor.gov“who has had at least one year of driving experience and who is either riding a motorcycle in the general proximity of the permit holder or is riding as a passenger on the motorcycle being operated by the permit holder.”
ksrevisor.gov“such permit shall entitle the permittee to operate a motorcycle if such person is accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age, who is the holder of a valid class M driver's license”
ksrevisor.gov“pass a vision test, motorcycle written test, and a skill test on a motorcycle, or complete an approved motorcycle driver’s education course.”
ksrevenue.gov
Lane splitting
Lane splitting and filtering are illegal in Kansas. A motorcycle may not ride between lanes or rows of vehicles or pass in the same lane as the vehicle it overtakes, but two motorcycles may share a lane side by side.
Official wording (3 sources)
“No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”
ksrevisor.gov“The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.”
ksrevisor.gov“Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane.”
ksrevisor.gov
This page summarizes the law for study purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles.