Suspended – Revoked License in Kansas

There are a variety of reasons why your Kansas driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Kansas driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Driving Under the Influence: Your Kansas Driver’s License will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. Refusing to take a chemical test is considered a separate offense and even if you are acquitted on DUI charges later, you may still have your license suspended for up to 1 year based on your refusal to take the test. If you are convicted of a DUI and you refused to take the test, chances are the fine you pay will be higher and the period of suspension longer as well. If you are under 21 years of age and have a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or more, your license will be automatically suspended for 1 month and your driving privileges will be restricted for another 330 days after that.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. Your license will be automatically revoked if you are found driving with a suspended license or no license at all.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Kansas must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Kansas driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. Other reasons include reckless driving, speeding, fleeing the scene of an accident and not filing an accident report
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The DMV can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Division of Motor Vehicles notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
• Automatic Revocation: The following traffic infractions will result in your license be automatically revoked:
  • Homicide caused by your vehicle.
  • Any crime in which your vehicle is involved.
  • Failing to stop at the scene of an accident and give aid.
  • Being convicted of not carrying auto insurance.

NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime for your offense, you may also face additional court penalties.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Things to be aware of following a license suspension:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles. You can surrender your license in person at a Driver Licensing Exam Station, or mail it to:

Driver’s Licensing

Docking State Office Building

1. Box 2188

Topeka, KS 66601-2128

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to five years, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Kansas DMV.
• Kansas does not permit you to apply for a hardship license while your license is suspended.

Depending on the circumstances of your suspension, you may be eligible for a restricted driver’s license, which allows you to drive:

• To and from authorized locations under specific circumstances. 
OR
• In a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.

NOTE: Restricted license application fees are non-refundable.

If your suspended license was caused by an alcohol-related offense, including refusing or failing a BAC test, you can request a Restricted License by:

• Completing an Application to Modify Suspension to Restricted Ignition Interlock Driving Privileges (Form DC 1015).
• Writing a check or money order to “Division of Vehicles” for $100.
• Mailing your application and fee to the KS DMV address on the form.

If you received a suspension for failing to comply, you can request restricted driving privileges by:

• Completing an Application to Modify Failure to Comply Suspension to Restricted Driving Privileges (Form DC­1020).
• Writing a check or money order to “Division of Vehicles” for $25.
• Sending your application and fee to the KS DOR address on the form.

If your KS driver’s license was suspended for violating insurance laws, you can pay your reinstatement fees online. You’ll need to enter your: Full name, Address, Social Security number (SSN), Driver’s license number, Date of birth, Contact information. See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License” below for more fee information.

Your reinstatement fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your offense. Below are general Kansas Department of Revenue fees that may apply:

• License re-issuance fee: $8.
• Class C license fee: $12.
• Re-testing fee: $1.50.
• Reinstatements for failing or refusing a BAC test: $100 to $1,000 (depending on the number of offenses you’ve had).

Please contact the Kansas DMV for fees directly related to your suspension.

Restricted Driver’s License:

• Alcohol-related suspensions: $100.
• Failure to comply suspensions: $25.

Acceptable Forms of Payment:

• By mail: Check or money order payable to “Division of Vehicles.”
• Online: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card or e-check.
• In person: Contact your local Kansas DMV office for acceptable forms of payment.

NOTE: Suspended license reinstatement transactions completed online may include a convenience fee.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. If your commercial driver’s license (CDL) was suspended or disqualified by the Kansas Department of Revenue (DOR), you’ll need to satisfy your disqualification requirements to have it reinstated.

Your CDL may be disqualified/suspended for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Disqualifying offenses include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
• Committing a hit and run.
• Speeding and reckless driving.
• Violating out-of-service orders.
• Following too closely or making improper lane changes.
• Driving without the proper CDL endorsements.
• Committing a felony using your commercial vehicle.
• Driving without your CDL in your possession.

You must notify your employer within 30 days of any conviction for a traffic offense, and by the end of the next business day after you receive your disqualification notice.

Your CDL can also be disqualified for violations committed in a non-commercial vehicle. For more information, please see our Suspended License in Kansas page.

NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.

The length of your CDL disqualification/suspension and requirements to reinstate it will vary depending on your offense, and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges are also suspended. NOTE: If you were convicted of a crime for your offense, you may also face additional court penalties and fines.

Your Kansas CDL and commercial driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations, including disqualifications lasting:

• 1 year for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:
  • DUI/DWI or drug-related offenses.
  • Refusing to submit to a BAC test.
  • Hit and runs.
  • Leaving the scene of a truck accident you’re involved in.
  • Using your vehicle in a felony.
• 3 years for a 1st violation of a major offense, while transporting hazardous materials.
• A lifetime suspension for a 2nd violation of a major offense.
• 60 to 120 days for multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 60 to 120 days for railroad highway grade crossing violations.

NOTE: You will be charged with a DUI if you are caught driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

While you cannot request a restricted license to operate a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted driver’s license, which allows you to drive a non-commercial vehicle to and from authorized locations, under specific circumstances or equipped with an ignition interlock device.

NOTE: Restricted license application fees are non-refundable.

If your suspension was caused by an alcohol-related offense, including a BAC test refusal or DUI, you can request a restricted license by:

• Completing an Application to Modify Suspension to Restricted Ignition Interlock Driving Privileges (Form DC 1015).
• Writing a check or money order payable to “Division of Vehicles” for the $100 fee.
• Mailing your application and fee to the KS DMV address on the form.

If your suspension resulted from a failure to comply offense, you can request restricted driving privileges by:

• Completing an Application to Modify Failure to Comply Suspension to Restricted Driving Privileges (Form DC­1020).
• Writing a check or money order payable to “Division of Vehicles” for the $25 fee.
• Sending your application and fee to the KS DOR address on the form.

Your CDL reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your offense and whether or not your non-commercial driving privileges have also been suspended.

To reinstate your CDL or non-commercial driving privileges, you may need to:

• Visit your local Kansas DMV office.
• Submit any required supporting documents.
• File an SR22 or proof of insurance.
• Retake the commercial driving skills and knowledge tests, if necessary.
• Pay a reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in KS” below.)

For more information about your specific reinstatement requirements, please refer to your driving record or contact the Kansas Department of Revenue: Phone: (785) 296-3963, Phone (TTY/hearing impaired): (785) 296-3613. E-mail: [email protected].

Your CDL reinstatement fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your offense. Here are general Department of Revenue fees that may apply:

• License reissuance fee: $8.
• CDL fee: $18.
• Re-testing fee: $1.50.
• DUI/DWI and BAC test refusal reinstatement: $100 to $1,000 (depending on the number of offenses you’ve had).
• Alcohol-related restricted license: $100.
• Failure to comply restricted license: $25.

For information about fees specific to your CDL reinstatement and accepted payment methods, contact your local Kansas DOR office.