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Kansas Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI

Kansas driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.

Quick answers for Kansas

Point system
Kansas law does not set a point schedule in the statutes read; instead, the Division of Vehicles may restrict, suspend or revoke driving privileges when a driver has been convicted of three or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period, or of… K.S.A. 8-255(a)
Points for speeding
No points are assigned. A speeding conviction is a moving traffic violation that counts toward the three-violations-in-12-months ground for restriction, suspension or revocation. K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2)
Legal BAC limit
0.08 for drivers generally (within three hours of driving). For drivers under 21, a test result of 0.02 to 0.0799 brings an administrative suspension. K.S.A. 8-1567(a); KDOR Alcohol Actions Chart
First-offense DUI penalties
A first DUI conviction is a class B nonperson misdemeanor: 48 consecutive hours to six months in jail (or, at the court's discretion, 100 hours of public service) and a fine of $750 to $1,000. K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(A), 8-1014(b), 8-1015(b); KDOR Alcohol Actions Chart

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Tickets and points

Point systemKansas law does not set a point schedule in the statutes read; instead, the Division of Vehicles may restrict, suspend or revoke driving privileges when a driver has been convicted of three or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period, or of serious offenses frequently enough to show disregard for traffic laws.
The length of a suspension for three moving violations in 12 months was not confirmed from an official page read for this record.
Source: K.S.A. 8-255(a)
Points for speedingNo points are assigned. A speeding conviction is a moving traffic violation that counts toward the three-violations-in-12-months ground for restriction, suspension or revocation.
Source: K.S.A. 8-255(a)(2)
Traffic schoolKansas courts do not describe a traffic school that removes points. Prosecutors (city, county or district attorneys) may offer diversion, a voluntary alternative in which a person completes conditions such as classes or community service so the charge can be dropped; each prosecutor has a written diversion policy.
Source: Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help, Criminal & Traffic Law
Paying or fighting a ticketTraffic tickets are filed in municipal (city) court or in the district court of the county where the offense occurred, as shown on the ticket. Some tickets require a court appearance (the word 'COURT' may appear instead of a fine amount); others can be paid without appearing. District court tickets can be paid online, by mail or in person; municipal court tickets are paid as directed by that court. Unpaid traffic citations lead to an automatic 60-day restriction (for eligible drivers) and then suspension if not satisfied.
Source: Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help, Criminal & Traffic Law; KDOR Suspended Licenses / Driver Solutions

License suspension

License suspensionGrounds include three or more moving violations in 12 months, failure to comply with a traffic citation (a 60-day restriction in lieu of suspension for eligible drivers, then suspension), failure to provide proof of insurance, chemical test failure or refusal, and DUI convictions. When the action is based on a court conviction, the driver may request administrative review within 30 days. Courts notify KDOR to reinstate failure-to-comply suspensions upon 'substantial compliance.'
Source: K.S.A. 8-255; KDOR Suspended Licenses / Driver Solutions
Hardship or restricted licenseAfter a DUI-related suspension, driving is restricted to vehicles with an ignition interlock. Drivers suspended for failure to comply with a traffic citation may get restricted privileges (now indefinite if approved), including driving to work, school, child care, groceries, fuel and religious services. Drivers revoked as habitual violators for no more than three driving-while-suspended convictions tied to unpaid citations may qualify for restricted privileges. KDOR also offers applications to modify other suspensions.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1015; KDOR Suspended Licenses / Driver Solutions
Checking and reinstating a licenseCheck your status with the Kansas Department of Revenue's online Driver License Status Check, or call 785-296-3671. Reinstatement fees can be paid online through the Drivers License Reinstatement Payments service (alcohol or insurance reinstatement fees can also be paid through the state's Driver Solutions Express payment page); traffic tickets cannot be paid through that service. Suspension time, ignition interlock time and fees for alcohol-related actions are listed in the Division of Vehicles' alcohol action chart. Questions can be emailed to kdor_dc@ks.gov with your name, date of birth, current address and driver's license number.
Status check: https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/DLStatus/login.aspx ; reinstatement payments: https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/MotorVehicles/DLReinstatement/Default ; FAQ: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovsuspendedfaq.html
Source: Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles, Suspended Licenses / Driver Solutions; Revocation or Suspension FAQ

DUI / DWI

Legal BAC limit0.08 for drivers generally (within three hours of driving). For drivers under 21, a test result of 0.02 to 0.0799 brings an administrative suspension.
The commercial-driver limit was not confirmed from a page read for this record.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1567(a); KDOR Alcohol Actions Chart
First-offense DUI penaltiesA first DUI conviction is a class B nonperson misdemeanor: 48 consecutive hours to six months in jail (or, at the court's discretion, 100 hours of public service) and a fine of $750 to $1,000. Administratively (BAC 0.08 to 0.1499), a first test failure or conviction brings a 30-day suspension followed by an ignition interlock restriction of 6 months or 1 year and a $200 reinstatement fee; with BAC 0.15 or more, a 1-year suspension and 1-year interlock.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(A), 8-1014(b), 8-1015(b); KDOR Alcohol Actions Chart
When a DUI is a felonyA third DUI conviction is a severity level 6, nonperson felony if the person has a prior DUI conviction within the preceding 10 years (not counting time spent incarcerated); otherwise a third conviction is a class A misdemeanor. A fourth or later DUI conviction is always a severity level 6, nonperson felony. For counting prior offenses, DUI convictions and DUI diversions on or after July 1, 2001 are taken into account.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(C)-(E), (i)(1)
Refusing a breath testRefusing a test leads to a one-year suspension followed by an ignition interlock restriction of two years for a first occurrence, three years for a second, four years for a third and five years for a fourth.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1014(a)
DUI lookback periodFor counting prior DUI convictions or diversions for sentencing, convictions or diversions on or after July 1, 2001 are counted, and a court may consider earlier convictions when setting a sentence within the range. A third conviction is a felony if a prior conviction occurred within the preceding 10 years.
Source: K.S.A. 8-1567(b)(1)(D), (i)
How long a DUI stays on your recordA person may petition to expunge a first DUI conviction or diversion 5 or more years after satisfying the sentence or diversion terms or being discharged from probation or other supervision; for a second or later DUI conviction the wait is 10 or more years. Even after expungement, the record can still be disclosed in some situations, such as an application for a commercial driver's license. How long a DUI stays on the Kansas driving record was not found on an official page.
Source: K.S.A. 21-6614(d)(1)-(2)
Sobriety checkpointsYes, they are used. The Kansas Highway Patrol announces sobriety checkpoints, often run jointly with county sheriffs and city police, with the stated goal of removing drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs from Kansas roads.
No Kansas statute that authorizes or bans sobriety checkpoints was found.
Source: Kansas Highway Patrol media release KHP 2026-H-01

Phones and distracted driving

Phone and texting lawsDrivers may not use a wireless communication device to manually type, send or read a text message, instant message or email while driving. Exceptions include voice-operated hands-free devices, vehicles stopped off the roadway, entering a number or name to make or receive a call, emergency, traffic or weather alerts, navigation messages, and reporting illegal activity or preventing imminent injury.
The fine amount and whether hand-held voice calls are restricted for adults were not confirmed from a page read for this record.
Source: K.S.A. 8-15,111

Where to get help in Kansas

Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ

How does the driver point system work in Kansas?
Kansas law does not set a point schedule in the statutes read; instead, the Division of Vehicles may restrict, suspend or revoke driving privileges when a driver has been convicted of three or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions within a 12-month period, or of serious offenses frequently enough to show disregard for traffic laws.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Kansas?
No points are assigned. A speeding conviction is a moving traffic violation that counts toward the three-violations-in-12-months ground for restriction, suspension or revocation.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Kansas?
Kansas courts do not describe a traffic school that removes points. Prosecutors (city, county or district attorneys) may offer diversion, a voluntary alternative in which a person completes conditions such as classes or community service so the charge can be dropped; each prosecutor has a written diversion policy.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Kansas?
Check your status with the Kansas Department of Revenue's online Driver License Status Check, or call 785-296-3671. Reinstatement fees can be paid online through the Drivers License Reinstatement Payments service (alcohol or insurance reinstatement fees can also be paid through the state's Driver Solutions Express payment page); traffic tickets cannot be paid through that service. Suspension time, ignition interlock time and fees for alcohol-related actions are listed in the Division of Vehicles' alcohol action chart. Questions can be emailed to kdor_dc@ks.gov with your name, date of birth, current address and driver's license number.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Kansas?
Traffic tickets are filed in municipal (city) court or in the district court of the county where the offense occurred, as shown on the ticket. Some tickets require a court appearance (the word 'COURT' may appear instead of a fine amount); others can be paid without appearing. District court tickets can be paid online, by mail or in person; municipal court tickets are paid as directed by that court. Unpaid traffic citations lead to an automatic 60-day restriction (for eligible drivers) and then suspension if not satisfied.
What gets your license suspended in Kansas?
Grounds include three or more moving violations in 12 months, failure to comply with a traffic citation (a 60-day restriction in lieu of suspension for eligible drivers, then suspension), failure to provide proof of insurance, chemical test failure or refusal, and DUI convictions. When the action is based on a court conviction, the driver may request administrative review within 30 days. Courts notify KDOR to reinstate failure-to-comply suspensions upon 'substantial compliance.'
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Kansas?
0.08 for drivers generally (within three hours of driving). For drivers under 21, a test result of 0.02 to 0.0799 brings an administrative suspension.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Kansas?
A first DUI conviction is a class B nonperson misdemeanor: 48 consecutive hours to six months in jail (or, at the court's discretion, 100 hours of public service) and a fine of $750 to $1,000. Administratively (BAC 0.08 to 0.1499), a first test failure or conviction brings a 30-day suspension followed by an ignition interlock restriction of 6 months or 1 year and a $200 reinstatement fee; with BAC 0.15 or more, a 1-year suspension and 1-year interlock.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Kansas?
Refusing a test leads to a one-year suspension followed by an ignition interlock restriction of two years for a first occurrence, three years for a second, four years for a third and five years for a fourth.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Kansas?
For counting prior DUI convictions or diversions for sentencing, convictions or diversions on or after July 1, 2001 are counted, and a court may consider earlier convictions when setting a sentence within the range. A third conviction is a felony if a prior conviction occurred within the preceding 10 years.
Can you get a hardship license in Kansas?
After a DUI-related suspension, driving is restricted to vehicles with an ignition interlock. Drivers suspended for failure to comply with a traffic citation may get restricted privileges (now indefinite if approved), including driving to work, school, child care, groceries, fuel and religious services. Drivers revoked as habitual violators for no more than three driving-while-suspended convictions tied to unpaid citations may qualify for restricted privileges. KDOR also offers applications to modify other suspensions.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Kansas?
Drivers may not use a wireless communication device to manually type, send or read a text message, instant message or email while driving. Exceptions include voice-operated hands-free devices, vehicles stopped off the roadway, entering a number or name to make or receive a call, emergency, traffic or weather alerts, navigation messages, and reporting illegal activity or preventing imminent injury.
Is a DUI a felony in Kansas?
A third DUI conviction is a severity level 6, nonperson felony if the person has a prior DUI conviction within the preceding 10 years (not counting time spent incarcerated); otherwise a third conviction is a class A misdemeanor. A fourth or later DUI conviction is always a severity level 6, nonperson felony. For counting prior offenses, DUI convictions and DUI diversions on or after July 1, 2001 are taken into account.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Kansas?
A person may petition to expunge a first DUI conviction or diversion 5 or more years after satisfying the sentence or diversion terms or being discharged from probation or other supervision; for a second or later DUI conviction the wait is 10 or more years. Even after expungement, the record can still be disclosed in some situations, such as an application for a commercial driver's license. How long a DUI stays on the Kansas driving record was not found on an official page.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Kansas?
Yes, they are used. The Kansas Highway Patrol announces sobriety checkpoints, often run jointly with county sheriffs and city police, with the stated goal of removing drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs from Kansas roads.

Traffic Tickets & DUI in other states

More Kansas law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.