Kansas driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Kansas Driving Handbook and, where the manual is silent, the Kansas Statutes Annotated: Chapter 8, Article 1: General Provisions (registration and title), Chapter 8, Article 2: Drivers' Licenses, Chapter 8, Article 10: Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs; Administrative Provisions, Chapter 8, Article 12: Compacts with Other Jurisdictions, Chapter 8, Article 13: Miscellaneous Provisions, Chapter 8, Article 14: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Definitions, Chapter 8, Article 15: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Rules of the Road, Chapter 8, Article 16: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Accidents and Accident Reports, Chapter 8, Article 17: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Equipment of Vehicles, Chapter 8, Article 18: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Equipment on Motorcycles, Chapter 8, Article 19: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Size, Weight and Load, Chapter 8, Article 20: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Powers of State and Local Authorities, Chapter 8, Article 21: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic; Parties, Arrests, Citations, Procedures and Penalties, Chapter 8, Article 25: Seat Belts, Chapter 40, Article 31: Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act (in part), Chapter 21, Article 54: Crimes Against Persons (sections 21-5405 and 21-5406), Chapter 41, Article 7: Prohibited Acts (section 41-727), with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 7 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
Parking is not allowed in Kansas within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. A fire crew needs to get a hose to the hydrant fast. A car parked over it costs them the minutes that matter.
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
Parking is not allowed in Kansas within 30 feet approaching any traffic control signal, stop sign or flashing beacon at the side of the roadway. A parked car hides the sign from the driver behind. Thirty feet keeps the view to it open.
Within the 30 feet approaching any traffic control signal, stop sign, or flashing beacon at the side of the roadway.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
Parking is not allowed in Kansas within 50 feet of the nearest rail at railroad crossings. A train overhangs the rail by a long way. Fifty feet is what keeps a parked car out of its path.
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail at railroad crossings.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
Parking is not allowed in Kansas within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to a fire station, or within 75 feet of that entrance on the opposite side of the street. Fire engines swing wide coming out. The larger distance is on the far side because that is where they aim.
Within 20 feet of driveway entrance to a fire station and on side of street opposite the entrance within 75 feet of entrance.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
A Kansas vehicle may not be parked more than 12 inches from a curb. A car sticking out into the lane narrows the road for everyone. Twelve inches is the margin allowed.
More than 12” from a curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
A Kansas driver must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing or its stop arm extended. The lights and the arm mean children are about to be in the road. Either one on its own is enough.
You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and/or stop arm extended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle using flashing warning lights on a Kansas street with two or more lanes in each direction, a driver proceeds with due caution and moves to a lane that is not next to the stopped vehicle. People are out of their cars at the roadside. A whole empty lane between you and them is what keeps them alive.
proceed with due caution and move to a lane that is not next to the stopped emergency vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred (500) feet or stop such vehicle within five hundred (500) feet of any fire apparatus stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1581
As of 7 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Kansas requires a driver to turn on their headlights whenever the wipers are used on the vehicle. If it is wet enough to need wipers, it is dark enough that other drivers need to see you.
Many states including Kansas require you to turn on your headlights whenever the wipers are used on the vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
(a) When the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in subsection (a)(2) of K.S.A. 8-1724, and amendments thereto, or subsection (b)(2) of K.S.A. 8-1805, and amendments thereto, shall be dimmed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1725(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
Kansas law requires that all occupants use safety restraints in passenger vehicles. Everyone in the car is covered, not just the people in front. A belt is what keeps you inside the car in a crash.
Kansas law requires that all occupants use safety restraints in passenger vehicles.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
All children under the age of 4 must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat in Kansas. A belt built for an adult does not hold a small body. Under 4 the seat is the only thing that fits.
All children under the age of 4 must be restrained in a federally approved child safety seat.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
A driver found to have .08 blood alcohol concentration or higher is in violation of Kansas law. This is the line the state draws. Above it, nothing about how you feel or drive matters to the charge.
If you are found to have .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher, you are in violation of the law.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
(a) 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.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1567a(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
(1) 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;
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1014(a)(1)
As of 7 Oct 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Talking or dialing a phone number on a cell phone is not specifically illegal in Kansas, although anything that distracts from driving is dangerous. The law stops short of banning calls. That does not make a call safe, and the crash does not care what is legal.
Talking, or dialing a phone number, on a cell phone is not specifically illegal in Kansas.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
Kansas law prohibits the use of any electronic device to write, send or read a written communication while driving, including texting and email. Reading counts, not just typing. Your eyes leave the road for the same few seconds either way.
Kansas law prohibits the use of any electronic device to “write, send, or read” a written communication while driving. This includes texting, email, or any other writing.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
All Kansas signals must be given at least 100 feet before making the actual move or turn. A signal given as you start the turn tells nobody anything. A hundred feet is enough warning to act on.
All signals must be given at least 100 feet before making the actual move or turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
When turning right at a Kansas intersection, if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on a red light, a driver may turn after stopping and checking for traffic and pedestrians. The stop comes first and it has to be a real one. The turn is what you may do after it.
When turning right at an intersection, if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on a red light, you may turn after stopping and checking for traffic and pedestrians.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
Some left turns are permitted on red in Kansas when moving from a one-way street onto another one-way street, or from a two-way street onto a one-way street. The turn works because nothing is coming the other way. It is still a stop first, then a check.
Some left turns may be permitted on red when moving from a one-way street onto another one-way street or from a two-way street onto a one-way street.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
Do not make a U-turn in Kansas on a curve, near the top of a hill, or anywhere you cannot be seen by other drivers for at least 500 feet. A U-turn is slow and it blocks the whole road. Drivers need to see you from far enough back to stop.
Do not make a “U” turn on a curve, near the top of a hill or anywhere you cannot be seen by other drivers for at least 500 feet.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed in any Kansas urban district is 30 mph. A street with no sign in town is not a guess. Thirty is the number the law sets when nothing is posted.
Thirty (30) miles per hour in any urban district
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
Unless otherwise posted, the maximum Kansas speed on any state or federal highway is 65 mph. A numbered highway is not an interstate. The limit drops by 10 when the road is not a separated multilane one.
Sixty-five (65) miles per hour on any State or Federal Highway
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
Unless otherwise posted, the maximum Kansas speed in a properly marked school zone is 20 mph. Twenty is slow enough to stop for a child who steps out. That is the whole reason the number is so low.
20 mph -School Zone (when properly marked)
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
A Kansas driver may pass another vehicle on the right when driving on one-way streets and highways marked for two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Passing on the right is only legal where the road is built for it. A two-lane road going both ways is not.
You may pass another vehicle on the right when driving on one-way streets and highways marked for two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
Transporting an open container of liquor or cereal malt beverage may suspend a Kansas driver's privileges. The bottle does not have to be yours and you do not have to be drinking. Carrying it open is the offense.
Transporting an open container of liquor or cereal malt beverage (3.2 beer)
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
A Kansas driver under 17 must have held a state-issued learner's permit for 1 year or more before a license is issued. Kansas counts the time you held the permit, not the hours you drove. Starting late pushes the license back by the same amount.
Those under age 17 must have held state issued Learner's Permit for 1 year or more prior to license issuance
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
A Kansas instruction permit holder may only drive with a licensed adult in the front seat, and that adult must be at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience. The supervisor is there to catch what a beginner misses. A newly licensed friend has not driven long enough to see trouble coming.
Licensed adult must be at least 21 years old and have at least one-year driving experience
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A Kansas 16-year-old driving under the restricted license may drive at any time from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The window closes at 9 in the evening. A driver who loses track of it is unlicensed for the trip home.
From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
A Kansas 16-year-old driving under the restricted license may carry only one non-sibling minor passenger in the vehicle. Passengers the same age are the biggest risk a new driver carries. One is the limit, and brothers and sisters do not count toward it.
Only one, non-sibling, minor passenger allowed in the vehicle
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first Kansas conviction for an alcohol violation may bring a fine from $750 to $1,000 plus court costs. The fine alone is most of a month's wages for many people. That is before the jail time or the interlock.
If you are found guilty of an alcohol violation and it is your first conviction, you may be fined from $750 - $1000 plus court costs.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long can you be jailed for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first Kansas alcohol violation conviction could bring a sentence of a minimum of 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service. A first offense can still mean a cell. Two days is the floor, not the likely outcome.
You could be sentenced to a minimum of 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service and your license will be suspended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
In Kansas a driver with a BAC of .08 or more may have their license and driving privileges suspended for 30 days and may be subject to criminal penalties. The license goes before any court date. That is on top of whatever the criminal case brings.
If you have a BAC of .08 or more, your driver's license and driving privileges may be suspended for 30 days and you may be subject to criminal penalties.
As of 14 Sep 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
(E) on the person's fifth or subsequent occurrence, suspend the person's driving privileges for one year and at the end of the suspension, restrict the person's driving privileges for 10 years to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. (2) Except as provided by subsection (e) and K.S.A. 8-2,142, and amendments thereto, if a person fails a test or has an alcohol or drug-related conviction in this state and the person's blood or breath alcohol concentration is 0.15 or greater, the division shall:
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1014(b)(1)–(2)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
Conviction of three moving violations within a twelve-month period may suspend a Kansas driver's privileges. Three tickets in a year is the line. Each one on its own feels small, which is how drivers reach it without noticing.
Conviction of three (3) moving violations within a twelve-month period.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
(a) No person under the age of 18 years shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, unless wearing a helmet which complies with minimum guidelines established by the national highway traffic safety administration pursuant to the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 for helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1598(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
(c) (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a distance of not less than three feet and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. (2) The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1516(c)
As of 7 Oct 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
Kansas law, K.S.A. 8-1514(b)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
(e) contain stated limits of liability, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each vehicle for which coverage is granted, 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, and to a limit of not less than $25,000 because of harm to or destruction of property of others in any one accident;
Kansas law, K.S.A. 40-3107(e)
As of 7 Oct 2026
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