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

Requirements verified July 20, 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, complete federal ELDT, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit (about $13), hold it at least 14 days, 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.

Kansas runs its CDL program through the Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles. The path is the standard federal one: hold a regular Kansas license, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit, hold the CLP at least 14 days, then pass a three-part skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, and an on-road drive) in a vehicle you supply.

State fees are low — roughly $13 for the permit and about $41 for the CDL, plus small per-test and per-endorsement charges. The real expenses are ELDT tuition (surveyed 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. Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the required knowledge tests: General Knowledge (all applicants); Combination Vehicles (Class A); Air Brakes (if your vehicle has them); Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T).
2. Complete ELDT training. For a first Class A/B CDL or a first hazmat, passenger, or school-bus endorsement, you must train with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. The Kansas Division of Vehicles checks the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov) to confirm you completed required entry-level driver training before it will administer the CDL skills test or the hazmat knowledge test. Kansas uses no separate state ELDT portal — you find providers on the federal registry. ELDT has been required since February 7, 2022. Drivers who held a valid CDL (or the relevant S/P/H endorsement) before that date are grandfathered. ELDT is not required just to get a CLP.
3. Hold your permit 14 days. Federal rules require at least 14 days before the skills test.
4. Pass the skills test. It has 3 parts: Pre-trip vehicle inspection, Basic vehicle control skills, On-road driving test. CDL skills exams are by appointment only at Division of Vehicles CDL testing offices — call or email your preferred office to schedule (CDL skills appointments can't be booked through the general online scheduler). See the CDL Skills Testing Offices list on ksrevenue.gov for contacts. Kansas also allows approved third-party skills testers; confirm current third-party options with the Division of Vehicles.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 4 years). A Kansas CDL is generally valid 4 years; some sources describe age-based terms and a rule requiring drivers to renew within 45 days of turning 21 — confirm your exact term with the Kansas Division of Vehicles. Upgrading class or adding a passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsement requires the applicable knowledge/skills tests (and ELDT for first-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time H/P/S), plus a fresh 14-day CLP hold when a skills test is involved.

Medical certification in Kansas

Self-certify your category online through the Kansas DOR Commercial Driver's License Holder Medical Self-Certification application (kdor.ks.gov/Apps/MotorVehicles/MotorVehicle/KCDLCertificate) or with a paper form. All Class A/B/C applicants self-certify on any original application, renewal, upgrade, or transfer. Consistent with the June 23, 2025 federal National Registry II rule, Kansas stopped accepting medical examiner's certificates submitted directly by the driver (effective about June 2, 2025) — your certified medical examiner now transmits results electronically and Kansas pulls the card from the National Registry.

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 KDOR_Medical.Certification@ks.gov.

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

Kansas state fees are modest — the larger costs are ELDT tuition and a DOT physical (surveyed 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 here reflect sources citing the Kansas DOR credential fee chart; confirm exact 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 Third-party testing allowed

Kansas allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. 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 — including offenses in your personal vehicle. 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.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

Kansas offers a Military CDL Skills Test Waiver for service members who are currently serving or discharged within the last 12 months and have at least two years of recent safe experience operating a comparable military vehicle (per 49 CFR 383.77), using the CDL Military Skills Waiver Certification form (signed by the commanding officer; out-of-state applicants add a current home-state motor vehicle record). Kansas also participates in the Military Even Exchange program, which can waive both the knowledge and skills tests for qualifying military occupational specialties.

Kansas CDL FAQ