Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Kansas driver's license in person at any Kansas Department of Revenue office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of Kansas residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. If you're renewing by mail, you'll need to send your current license along with the renewal form and a check or money order.

Not everyone can renew by mail. You're may be able to access for mail renewal only if your license is not expired by more than one year, you have no medical restrictions on your license, and you haven't had any address changes since your last renewal. If any of those conditions don't explore to you, you must go in person to a Revenue office.

The Kansas Department of Revenue operates offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Kansas Department of Revenue website. Some offices take walk-ins; others require you to book an appointment online first. Check before you go.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at a Kansas Department of Revenue office requires your current license, proof of Kansas residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security number.
  • Mail renewal is only an option if your license expired less than one year ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed.
  • Your renewed license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days of approval, whether you renew in person or by mail.
  • The renewal fee is $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license; you choose the term when you renew.

How long your renewed license lasts

When you renew, you choose whether you want a four-year or eight-year license. The four-year license costs $20; the eight-year license costs $40. Both are valid for their full term, so you won't need to renew again until the expiration date printed on your new card.

Your new license will be mailed to your Kansas address within 7 to 10 business days after the Revenue office approves your renewal. You can use your current license until the new one arrives, even if your current license has already expired. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or turn it in at a Revenue office if you prefer.

Renewing in person at a Revenue office

Bring your current driver's license, proof of Kansas residency, and know your Social Security number. Proof of residency must be dated within 60 days and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail showing your current address. A cell phone bill does not count as proof of residency in Kansas.

If you've changed your address since your last renewal, bring a document showing your new address. If you've changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Without it, you cannot change your name on your license at renewal.

Walk in during office hours, take a number, and wait to be called. The staff will take a new photo, verify your information, collect your fee, and hand you a receipt. Your new license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If you need a license sooner, ask the staff whether your office offers expedited service; not all do.

Renewing by mail

read the renewal form from the Kansas Department of Revenue website or call the office nearest you and ask them to mail it to you. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it with your current license and a check or money order for $20 (four-year) or $40 (eight-year) to the address shown on the form.

Do not send cash. Include a return address so the office can mail your new license back to you. Mail renewal typically takes 2 to 3 weeks from the time the office receives your packet, plus mailing time in both directions. If you need your license faster, renew in person instead.

Your current license remains valid until your new one arrives, even if it has already expired. Once your new license arrives, you can use it when ready.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than a year

If your Kansas license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew it—you must reapply as if you were getting a license for the first time. This means you'll need to pass a written test, a vision test, and a driving test. You'll also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, and your Social Security number, just as you would for an initial license.

Contact the Kansas Department of Revenue to schedule your tests. The written test covers Kansas traffic laws and road signs. The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. The driving test is conducted by a Revenue examiner and takes about 20 minutes. You'll drive on local roads and demonstrate basic skills like parking, turning, and stopping.

Renewing a license with medical restrictions or endorsements

If your current license has medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only), you must renew in person. The Revenue office will review your restrictions and may ask you to provide updated medical documentation if your restriction is time-limited. Bring any medical forms your doctor has completed if you know your restriction is expiring.

If your license has endorsements—such as a motorcycle endorsement or a commercial driver's license (CDL)—you can renew the license itself by mail, but you cannot renew the endorsement by mail. If your endorsement is expiring at the same time as your license, renew in person so both can be handled together. If your endorsement expires later, you can renew the license by mail and handle the endorsement separately when it comes due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Kansas license if I don't live in Kansas anymore?

No. You must be a Kansas resident to hold a Kansas driver's license. If you've moved out of state, you need to get a license from your new state. If you're moving to Kansas and already have a license from another state, you can transfer it by visiting a Revenue office with proof of identity, proof of Kansas residency, and your Social Security number.

What if I lost my current license before renewal?

You cannot renew a lost license by mail. Go to a Kansas Department of Revenue office in person and bring proof of identity and proof of Kansas residency. The office will issue you a replacement license on the spot. You'll pay the replacement fee plus the renewal fee. If you need the license the same day, ask whether your office can issue a temporary license while your permanent one is being printed.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

It depends on the office. Some Kansas Revenue offices accept walk-ins during all hours; others require appointments for certain times or all day. Check the Kansas Department of Revenue website for your local office's policy before you go. If appointments are required and none are available, you may be able to walk in during a designated walk-in window or come back another day.

What if my name has changed since my last renewal?

Bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You must renew in person; you cannot change your name by mail. The Revenue office will update your name on your new license at the same time you renew.

How much does it cost to renew?

A four-year Kansas driver's license costs $20 to renew. An eight-year license costs $40. You choose the term when you renew. If you're renewing in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you're renewing by mail, send a check or money order only—do not send cash.