Suspended license in Kansas: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
Kansas does not use a points system; it counts convictions instead. A Driver improvement clinic (K.S.A. 8-255(f)) can be taken instead of, or to end, a suspension. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $100.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (Driver Solutions Bureau) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.
Kansas has no point system. Under K.S.A. 8-255(a) the Division of Vehicles may restrict, suspend or revoke driving privileges of a person convicted of three or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period, or convicted so frequently of serious traffic offenses as to show disrespect for traffic laws; a 'habitual violator' with three qualifying convictions in five years is revoked for three years under K.S.A. 8-285 and 8-286.
Points period stated by the agency: 1 year. Moving violations count toward the K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2) action when committed within a 12-month period; habitual-violator convictions count within the immediately preceding five years under K.S.A. 8-285. The Division's driving record is available for purchase online or at a driver licensing office; the record codes are explained in the Division's DC-9 guide.
“The term "habitual violator" means any resident or nonresident person who, within the immediately preceding five years, has been convicted in this or any other state: (a) Three or more times of:”
Check points or the driving record: ksrevenue.gov
The statute: K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2)
“(2) has been convicted of three or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period;”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Driver improvement clinic (K.S.A. 8-255(f)) |
|---|---|
| Effect | Taken instead of, or to end, a suspension |
Kansas has no points to reduce. Under K.S.A. 8-255(f) the Division may establish or contract for driver improvement clinics and, after reviewing the record of a person whose privileges are subject to suspension for three moving violations in 12 months, may permit the person to retain driving privileges by attending a clinic; the person (other than a CDL holder) applies to the Division with the required fee, which by regulation may not exceed $500. The clinic does not dismiss the underlying citation.
“upon reviewing the driving record of a person whose driving privileges are subject to suspension under subsection (a)(2), may permit the person to retain such person's driving privileges by attending a driver improvement clinic.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three or more moving traffic violations within a 12-month period (K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2)) | The Division may restrict, suspend or revoke the privileges of a person convicted of three or more moving violations committed on separate occasions within 12 months, or convicted with such frequency of serious offenses as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws; the person may request administrative review within 30 days of the notice, and the Division may allow attendance at a driver improvement clinic instead. | Serve the period set by the Division or attend a driver improvement clinic when permitted; reinstatement fees are paid to the Division. | — |
| Failure to Comply with a Traffic Citation (K.S.A. 8-2110) | Failing to appear in response to a traffic citation and pay the fine and costs, or otherwise comply, is a misdemeanor; after a 30-day court notice the court reports it and the Division suspends the license until the court certifies substantial compliance. Since January 1, 2025 an eligible person is placed on a 60-day restriction in lieu of suspension and may then apply (DC-1020, no cost) for an indefinite restriction. Minor in possession and passenger-under-14 violations are no longer suspendable. | Substantial compliance with the citation as certified electronically by the court, and the $100 reinstatement fee assessed by the court under K.S.A. 8-2110(c), which the court may waive on petition. | $100 |
| Failure to provide proof of insurance / financial security (K.S.A. 40-3104) | After an accident report or an insurer's denial of coverage, the director suspends the license of each driver involved and of the vehicle owner, and revokes the registration, on notice and hearing under K.S.A. 40-3118; the Division's page lists failure to provide proof of insurance among its suspension reasons. | File satisfactory proof of financial security under K.S.A. 40-3118(d), pay the $100 reinstatement fee ($300 if a registration is revoked again within a year), and be released from liability, be party to a liability action with a stay, enter a damages-payment agreement, or be adjudicated not liable. | $100 |
| Past due child support (restriction under K.S.A. 39-7,155) | On certification by the Secretary for Children and Families that a person owes past-due support of $500 or more in a IV-D case, or failed to comply with a warrant or subpoena, after 30 days' notice, the Division restricts driving privileges under K.S.A. 8-255; the restriction continues until the person is decertified. | Decertification by the Secretary for Children and Families and meeting the requirements for a driver's license; administrative review within 30 days is limited to identity, notice and decertification. | — |
| Habitual Violator (K.S.A. 8-285 / 8-286) | A person convicted three or more times within five years of offenses such as vehicular homicide, DUI, driving while suspended, hit-and-run, a felony using a vehicle, or a liability-insurance violation is a habitual violator and is revoked for three years. A person revoked solely for no more than three driving-while-suspended convictions that occurred while suspended only for unpaid citations may apply (DC-1018) for restricted privileges at no cost. | Serve the three-year revocation, subject to the K.S.A. 8-2110 and 8-235(d)(3) exceptions; the Division's DC-1018 application covers modification of the revocation. | — |
| Incompetent to drive a motor vehicle (K.S.A. 8-255(a)(3)) | The Division may restrict, suspend or revoke the privileges of a person its records show is incompetent to drive; the Division's Medical/Vision Review program handles these cases, and a licensee may be required to submit to an examination under K.S.A. 8-241 when there is good cause to believe the person is not qualified. | Examination and medical or vision review as required by the Division. | — |
| Theft convictions (K.S.A. 8-255(b)(1)(A)) | The Division must suspend for six months on a second conviction of theft under K.S.A. 21-5801(a)(5) and for one year on a third or subsequent conviction; a $100 reinstatement fee applies under K.S.A. 8-255(h). | Serve the six-month or one-year suspension and pay the $100 reinstatement fee to the Division. | $100 |
Source quotes for each cause
Three or more moving traffic violations within a 12-month period (K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2))
“(1) Has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways; (2) has been convicted of three or more moving traffic”
Failure to Comply with a Traffic Citation (K.S.A. 8-2110)
“the division of vehicles shall notify the violator and suspend the license of the violator until satisfactory evidence of substantial compliance with the terms of the traffic citation has been furnished to the informing court unless such person is eligible for restricted driving privileges pursuant”
Failure to provide proof of insurance / financial security (K.S.A. 40-3104)
“The reinstatement fee shall be $100 except that if the registration of a motor vehicle of any owner is revoked within one year following a prior revocation of the registration of a motor vehicle of such owner under the provisions of this act such fee shall be $300.”
Past due child support (restriction under K.S.A. 39-7,155)
“A restriction of driving privileges under this section shall continue until the secretary for children and families decertifies the person and the person meets requirements for receiving a driver's license.”
Habitual Violator (K.S.A. 8-285 / 8-286)
“the division promptly shall revoke the person's driving privileges for a period of three years, except as allowed under K.S.A. 8-235(d)(3) and 8-2110, and amendments thereto.”
Incompetent to drive a motor vehicle (K.S.A. 8-255(a)(3))
“(3) is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle; (4) has been convicted of a moving traffic violation, committed at a time when the person's driving privileges were restricted, suspended or revoked;”
Theft convictions (K.S.A. 8-255(b)(1)(A))
“(h) Any person whose driving privileges have been suspended under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) or (b)(1)(A)(iii), shall pay a reinstatement fee in the amount of $100 to the division.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $100. Kansas sets reinstatement fees by cause: $100 assessed by the court for a failure-to-comply suspension (K.S.A. 8-2110(c)), $100 for a financial-security suspension under K.S.A. 40-3104(j) ($300 for a repeat registration revocation within a year), and $100 for theft-conviction suspensions (K.S.A. 8-255(h)); alcohol-related reinstatement fees under K.S.A. 8-241 run $200 to $800 (test failure/DUI) and $600 to $1,500 (test refusal). The Division states no single general fee for the three-violations action.
“(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), when the district or municipal court notifies the division of vehicles of a failure to comply with a traffic citation pursuant to subsection (b), the court shall assess a reinstatement fee of $100.”
Check the license status and driving record
The Division offers a Driver License Status Check and sells the driving record online ($16.70) or at a driver licensing office ($15); the DC-9 guide explains the conviction and suspension codes on the record.
“You now have access to view and securely pay for your driving record online at https://www.kansas.gov/ssrv-mvr-ltd/ 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fee for purchasing a driving record online is $16.70.”
Satisfy the underlying requirement
For a failure-to-comply suspension, the court must notify the Division electronically of substantial compliance; for an insurance suspension, proof of financial security is filed; for child support, the Secretary for Children and Families decertifies the person.
“KDOR will fully reinstate a failure to comply suspension if a court notifies us of substantial compliance.”
Pay the reinstatement fee
Reinstatement fees may be paid online through the Division's Drivers License Reinstatement Payments application; traffic tickets and driving records cannot be paid through that service.
“Can I pay my driver's license reinstatement fee online? Yes, you may pay your drivers license reinstatement fee online. You may not pay for traffic tickets or motor vehicle records through KanPay Service Express.”
Apply for modified privileges if still withdrawn
A person whose privileges remain withdrawn may apply for modification using the Division's applications (DC-1015 for a current suspension, DC-1020 for failure to comply, DC-1018 for a habitual-violator revocation), each of which lists its qualifications.
“If your driving privileges are currently withdrawn with the State of Kansas, you may be eligible for modification. To determine eligibility, see the applications below which have qualifications listed for each modification we offer.”
Official page: ksrevenue.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Kansas.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Restricted driving privileges (failure to comply, DC-1020) / modification of suspension (DC-1015). Under K.S.A. 8-2110(b)(1)(B) a person suspended only for failure to comply with a traffic citation, with no more than three driving-while-suspended convictions, is restricted to driving to and from work or school, in the course of employment, to health-care appointments, court-required places, school or child care drop-offs, groceries or fuel, and religious services; since January 1, 2025 the initial 60-day restriction is automatic and an approved application makes it indefinite. The Division's FAQ states a person suspended or revoked may be eligible for modification allowing limited privileges under its applications; a habitual violator revoked only for driving-while-suspended convictions tied to unpaid citations may obtain restricted privileges for up to three years.
“If a person is otherwise eligible for restricted privileges under K.S.A. 8-2110, they will automatically go into a 60-day restriction in lieu of suspension. If the traffic citations are not satisfied within the 60-day period, the license will then go into suspension.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Kansas.
Questions about a suspended license in Kansas
- Does Kansas have a driver's license point system?
- No. Under K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2) the Division of Vehicles may restrict, suspend or revoke the privileges of a person convicted of three or more moving violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period, and under K.S.A. 8-255(f) may allow the person to keep driving by attending a driver improvement clinic. Habitual violators with three qualifying convictions in five years are revoked for three years under K.S.A. 8-286.
- What happens in Kansas if a traffic ticket is not paid?
- Under K.S.A. 8-2110, failure to comply with a traffic citation is a misdemeanor; after a 30-day court notice the Division suspends the license until the court certifies substantial compliance, and the court assesses a $100 reinstatement fee. The Division states that since January 1, 2025 an eligible driver is placed on an automatic 60-day restriction in lieu of suspension.
- Can a Kansas driver keep driving during a failure-to-comply suspension?
- K.S.A. 8-2110(b)(1)(B) restricts eligible drivers to driving for work or school, employment duties, health care, court-required appointments, child drop-offs, groceries or fuel and religious services; a driver with more than three driving-while-suspended convictions or suspended for other reasons is not eligible. The Division's DC-1020 application covers the restriction, at no cost.
- What does Kansas charge to reinstate after an insurance suspension?
- K.S.A. 40-3104(j) states the suspension remains until the person files proof of financial security, pays the $100 reinstatement fee ($300 if a registration is revoked again within a year) and is released from liability, has a stayed liability action, enters a damages agreement or is adjudicated not liable.
- Can child support arrears affect a Kansas license?
- Under K.S.A. 39-7,155, when the Secretary for Children and Families certifies that a person owes $500 or more in past-due support in a IV-D case, or failed to comply with a warrant or subpoena, after 30 days' notice the Division restricts the person's driving privileges under K.S.A. 8-255 until the person is decertified.
Sources
- KDOR Division of Vehicles — Suspended Licenses / Driver Solutions (SB 500 changes, modification applications)
- KDOR Division of Vehicles — Revocation or Suspension Frequently Asked Questions
- KDOR Division of Vehicles — Imposed Actions on Major Violations (PDF)
- KDOR form DC-1020 — Application to Modify Suspension (Failure to Comply with a Traffic Citation) (PDF)
- K.S.A. 8-255 — Restriction, suspension or revocation of driving privileges; driver improvement clinics; reinstatement fee (Kansas Revisor of Statutes)
- K.S.A. 8-2110 — Failure to comply with traffic citation; suspension; restricted driving privileges; reinstatement fee
- K.S.A. 8-285 — 'Habitual violator' defined
- K.S.A. 8-286 — Habitual violator; revocation of driving privileges
- K.S.A. 8-241 — Examination and reinstatement fees (alcohol-related)
- K.S.A. 39-7,155 — Past due child support; restricted driving privileges
- K.S.A. 40-3104 — Motor vehicle liability insurance coverage required; penalties; reinstatement fees
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Kansas license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/kansas/suspended-license/