Driver training rules in Kansas

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Kansas for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Only for the restricted license at 15 (driver ed required). Not required at 16; approved programs are KSDE-approved school district programs. Hours not stated.source 1 · source 2 · source 3
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours adult-supervised, 10 at night, by affidavit; hold instruction permit 1 year (25 hours needed before a restricted license at 15).source 2 · source 4
New adult drivers	No course required at 17+; vision, written and drive tests. 50-hour affidavit required at 17, not at 18 or older.source 1
Who licenses driving schools	Kansas Dept. of Revenue licenses driver training schools; approved driver ed is KSDE-approved school district programs.source 5 · source 6 · source 3
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No state hours; KDOR requires federal ELDT from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry provider (curriculum per 49 CFR 380 appendices A-E).source 7
CDL schools: state license	Yes: Department of Revenue driver training school license for anyone training 10+ people a year or teaching driving for hire (K.S.A. 8-273, 8-274).source 5 · source 6
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hours; KDOR requires a TPR-listed provider teaching the 49 CFR 380 Appendices A-E curriculum.source 7
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes: KDOR instructor license; driving-school instructors must meet the K.S.A. 8-276 qualifications.source 8
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Not settled. Tuition-free employer training is exempt from the postsecondary act (K.S.A. 74-32,164). The driver training school act covers anyone giving driving instruction to 10 or more people a year and names no employer exemption (K.S.A. 8-273, 8-274), but no source says it applies to a carrier training its own drivers.source 9 · source 6 · source 5
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 7
Carriers: instructor rules	Not settled. K.S.A. 8-276 sets qualifications for driving school instructors. No source says a carrier's own trainers must hold a KDOR instructor license; federal 380.605 applies.source 8 · source 6
New school bus drivers	At least 12 hours of bus driver training (first 6 without students); approved vehicle accident prevention course within 30 days (K.A.R. 91-38-6, amended 2017).source 10
School bus refresher	No annual hour count. Drivers attend at least 10 safety meetings per year and renew the accident prevention course at least every three years (K.A.R. 91-38-3, 91-38-6).source 10

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Kansas, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Kansas

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovgdl.html
2. https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0101.html
3. https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovdrlic.html
4. https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovteenfaq.html
5. https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0074.html
6. https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0073.html
7. https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovcdlentry.html
8. https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch08/008_002_0076.html
9. https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch74/074_032_0164.html
10. https://www.sos.ks.gov/publications/KAR/2022/2022_KAR_Volumes_Book_4.pdf

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