In Kansas, the official tests you must pass for a driver’s license depend on your age. If you’re under 17, you must obtain an instruction permit before you may apply for a license. An instruction permit is optional if you’re age 17 or older. The requirements include being at least 14 years of age and passing a vision test and a written knowledge (permit) test. A driver’s education course is not required for an instruction permit. However, you may waive the knowledge test if you’re enrolled in a driver’s education course. Finally, if you’re under 18, you must obtain signed consent from a parent or guardian before obtaining a permit or license.
To obtain a restricted license at age 15, you must complete a driver’s education course, which allows you to waive both the written and driving (road) tests. To obtain a restricted license at age 16, you must either pass the knowledge and driving tests or complete an approved driver’s education course. All the restrictions on the license end when you turn 17.
To obtain a full license at age 17 or older, you must pass a vision test. In addition, you must either pass the knowledge and driving tests or complete an approved driver’s education course.
All questions on the official knowledge (permit) test are based on information in the official Kansas DMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Kansas DMV Handbook (KS Driver's Manual) 2025). The DMV publishes versions of this manual in English and Spanish, which we’ve made available for your convenience. Each version is in PDF format and can be easily downloaded from this webpage.
We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of twelve MP3 files, one for each section of the handbook: the driver’s license, laws and rules of the road, being in shape to drive, and so on. The longest section is Section 7: Safe Driving Tips, whose running time is 52 minutes and 28 seconds. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 4 hours, 16 minutes, and 51 seconds, so you can go through it once in a few days. Try listening to a chapter while following along with the text of the PDF version.
In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide to help you prepare for the day of the Kansas knowledge test. It covers what documents to take to the DMV, frequently missed knowledge test questions, and other last-minute knowledge test tips.
Every state has its own licensing laws. A nice thing about Kansas’s laws is that if you enroll in and complete a driver’s education course, you may be able to skip both the official knowledge and driving tests!