CDL Requirements in Kansas (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Source review dated October 12, 2026 against Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles

Kansas issues CDLs through the Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles. You hold a regular Kansas license, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit (about $13), hold it at least 14 days while completing required ELDT, then take a three-part skills test in a vehicle you supply at a Division of Vehicles CDL testing office. A Kansas CDL is typically valid 4 years. Because Kansas is not a TSA self-managed hazmat state, hazmat fingerprinting goes through the standard TSA/IdentoGO enrollment, not the DOR.

This guide combines federal rules with dated state research. Read the review notes before paying fees or booking a test.

State fees are low — $13 for the permit and $41 for a new CDL issued with testing ($26 license and photo plus the $15 skills exam), plus small retest and $10 per-endorsement charges. The real expenses are ELDT tuition (estimated at about $3,000–$8,000 for a private Class A program) and a DOT physical. A Kansas CDL is generally valid 4 years.

A few Kansas specifics stand out: skills tests are appointment-only at Division of Vehicles CDL offices (with approved third-party testers also available), and because Kansas is not a TSA self-managed hazmat state, hazmat applicants complete fingerprinting and the TSA Security Threat Assessment through IdentoGO rather than at the DOR. Veterans with recent comparable military driving experience can also waive the skills test — and, through the Military Even Exchange program, sometimes the knowledge test too.

Eligibility and documents in Kansas

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Proof of identity and lawful presence (U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport; immigration documents for non-citizens)
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of Kansas residency / residential address
• A valid Kansas driver's license
• Medical self-certification of your operating category, and — for non-excepted drivers — a current DOT medical examiner's certificate on file (now transmitted electronically from the National Registry)

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. 1

   Check eligibility, documents, and medical qualification

   Choose the CDL class and endorsements for your vehicle. Hold the required regular license and bring Kansas identity, residency, and Social Security documents. Self-certify your operating category and complete a DOT physical before the permit if that category requires medical certification.

2. 2

   Pass the knowledge tests and obtain your CLP

   Take general knowledge and the vehicle/endorsement tests that apply. ELDT theory may be taken earlier, but federal rules do not require it before the CLP. A first-time hazmat applicant must complete hazmat theory before the hazmat knowledge test; hazmat is not issued on a CLP.

3. 3

   Complete required training and practice during the permit hold

   Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. Use a qualified supervising driver for public-road practice. First-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements require applicable theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT from registered providers. The appropriate CLP is needed for public-road training. State training requirements may add to the federal baseline.

4. 4

   Pass the skills test in the right vehicle

   Confirm ELDT completion is recorded, arrange the test and a representative vehicle, then complete vehicle inspection, basic control, and road driving. The vehicle and transmission you test in can restrict your license.

5. 5

   Complete issuance and maintain your qualifications

   Pay the applicable Kansas issuance fees and confirm the correct class, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration. Keep your medical status current when required and follow the agency’s renewal instructions.

Medical certification in Kansas

Self-certify your category online through the Kansas DOR Commercial Driver's License Holder Medical Self-Certification application or by fax (785-296-5859), email ([email protected]), mail (PO Box 2188, Topeka, KS 66601-2188), or in person at a full-service driver license exam office. All Class A/B/C applicants self-certify on any original application, renewal, upgrade, or transfer. Effective 6/2/2025, Kansas can no longer manually enter your medical examiner's certificate; the information must come electronically from the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, so your certified medical examiner submits it there.

If your card lapses: Renew your medical examiner's certificate before it expires. If Kansas has no valid, unexpired card on file, CDLIS is notified, your physical-qualification status changes to 'not certified,' and your commercial privileges are downgraded/removed. Questions go to [email protected].

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical card required)
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in Kansas

These are separate transaction types, not charges that every applicant pays. Renewal, replacement, endorsement, and retest fees are alternatives or extras. Amounts are from the dated research; check current official fees before paying.

Kansas state fees are modest — the larger costs are ELDT tuition and a DOT physical (estimated at roughly $79–$150). Hazmat adds the TSA/IdentoGO fingerprint and Security Threat Assessment fee (set by TSA/IdentoGO, not the DOR — confirm with IdentoGO). Fee figures come from the Kansas DOR Credential Fee Chart (PDF, 'Updated 5/2023'), read 2026-10-12; confirm current amounts with the Kansas Division of Vehicles before relying on them.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Kansas

Testing access: State / approved third parties. Official testing instructions.

Kansas allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, with availability and fees set by the provider. Kansas publishes no official wait times; availability depends on the office and CDL examiner scheduling. A skills test can take one to one-and-a-half hours. Booking ahead is essential because not every office has a CDL examiner on any given day.

Your test vehicle: You must supply a commercial vehicle representative of the class of CDL you are seeking — the state does not provide a test vehicle. Confirm any vehicle/inspection requirements with your testing office.

Endorsements available in Kansas

Kansas offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — Hazmat. Kansas is NOT a TSA self-managed state, so fingerprinting and the TSA Security Threat Assessment go through the standard TSA enrollment vendor (IdentoGO), not the Division of Vehicles. You pass the 30-question hazmat knowledge test (80% to pass) and complete ELDT for first-timers; interstate/hazmat drivers must be 21.
• NTanker — Tank vehicles; requires the tank knowledge test.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined hazmat + tank; the hazmat TSA background-check cycle applies.
• PPassenger — Passenger; requires ELDT for first-timers plus the passenger knowledge and skills tests.
• SSchool Bus — School bus; requires the passenger (P) endorsement, ELDT for first-timers, and the S knowledge and skills tests.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers; knowledge test only (CDL, no separate skills test).

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state. Some also apply in a personal vehicle; vehicle-specific conditions matter. Kansas applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework (implemented through Kansas Statutes Chapter 8, Article 2), including major offenses, serious traffic violations, railroad-crossing and out-of-service violations, and the lifetime disqualification tied to using a commercial vehicle in certain felonies. No material state-only additions beyond the federal baseline were confirmed — verify specifics with the Kansas Division of Vehicles.

The offenses that trigger a disqualification, the length of each, and the federal exceptions are listed once in our CDL disqualifications guide instead of repeating the table here. Check the review notes for any Kansas-specific additions we could not confirm.

Military skills-test waiver

Check the temporary July 30–October 29, 2026 federal eligibility extension and ask the state whether it participates.

Kansas offers a Military CDL Skills Test Waiver for service members regularly employed (or employed within the last 12 months) in a military position requiring operation of a CMV, with at least 2 years operating a representative vehicle immediately preceding discharge and a clean 2-year record (one license other than military, no suspensions, no 383.51(b) offenses, no more than one 383.51(c) serious violation). Use the CDL-KSWVR certification form signed by the commanding officer; out-of-state applicants add a current home-state motor vehicle record and submit at any Full Service driver's license office. K.S.A. 8-2,133(e) also allows a skills-test waiver under the military even exchange program (49 CFR 383.77).

Kansas CDL FAQ