Kansas CDL Requirements: KS Department of Revenue Classes, Fees, and the Kansas City / Wichita Freight Context
Kansas issues CDLs through the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles. Two Kansas specifics: a very affordable fee structure ($13 CLP, $26 CDL, $10 per endorsement), and CDLs must be renewed in person at any license exam station in Kansas. Kansas sits on I-70 (transcontinental), I-35 (Canada-Mexico), and hosts significant freight activity around Kansas City (Kansas side) and Wichita (aviation manufacturing hub).
For the federal framework, see HOS, ELDT, Clearinghouse, DOT Physical, and DAC Report.
Last verified: 2026-04-19 against Kansas Department of Revenue CDL pages and 49 CFR Parts 383 and 380.12
Key Takeaways
- Issuing agency: Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles —
ksrevenue.gov/dovcdl.html1 - CDL classes offered: A, B, and C
- Core fees: $13 CLP; $26 CDL; $10 per endorsement2
- Age rule: 18 for intrastate; 21 for interstate1
- CLP holding period: at least 14 days before skills test (federal)3
- ELDT required for first-time Class A/B, class upgrade, or first-time H/P/S endorsement4
- Renewal cycle: 4 years, in-person only at any Kansas license exam station1
Kansas CDL classes
Kansas follows federal class definitions under 49 CFR Part 383:31
| Class | Vehicles | Typical drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Combination vehicles with GCWR ≥ 26,001 lbs when the towed unit's GVWR exceeds 10,000 lbs | OTR tractor-trailer, I-70 / I-35 transcontinental, Kansas City regional |
| Class B | Single vehicles with GVWR ≥ 26,001 lbs | Straight-truck drivers, buses, dump trucks |
| Class C | Vehicles transporting placarded hazmat or 16+ passengers that fall below A/B thresholds | Smaller hazmat, passenger vans |
Age, residency, and eligibility
- Minimum age: 18 for KS intrastate; 21 for interstate (federal 49 CFR 391.11).1
- Kansas residency: required. Hold a valid Kansas driver license.1
- Lawful presence: U.S. citizenship or documented lawful presence.
- Medical certification: Federal MEC (MCSA-5876) per self-certification category.5
Self-certification categories
Federal self-certification required under 49 CFR 383.71:6
- Non-excepted interstate (NI)
- Excepted interstate (EI)
- Non-excepted intrastate (NA)
- Excepted intrastate (EA)
Endorsements available in Kansas
Kansas Department of Revenue issues the standard federal endorsement set:1
- H — Hazardous materials (requires TSA background check)
- N — Tank vehicles
- P — Passenger
- S — School bus (requires P endorsement)
- T — Doubles / triples (Class A only)
- X — Combined H + N (hazmat-tanker)
Current Kansas Department of Revenue fees
All fees below are from the Kansas DOR Credential Fee Chart, verified on 2026-04-19:2
| Transaction | Fee |
|---|---|
| Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) | $13 |
| Commercial Driver License (CDL) | $26 |
| Each endorsement | $10 |
| TSA Hazmat background check (federal, separate) | Federal fee — verify current7 |
Kansas' very affordable base fees ($13 + $26 = $39 for a non-endorsement CDL) are among the lowest nationally.2
Verify the current Kansas DOR fee at ksrevenue.gov/pdf/dmvlicfees.pdf on the day of your application.2 Our editorial policy re-verifies these figures at least every 180 days.
How to get a Kansas CDL: step by step
Step 1 — Hold a valid Kansas driver license
Required before starting the CDL process.1
Step 2 — Pass the DOT physical
Find a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) on the FMCSA National Registry.5 See DOT Physical guide.
Step 3 — Apply for the Commercial Learner Permit
Visit a Kansas license exam station. Pay $13 CLP fee.2 Pass vision and CDL knowledge tests.1
Step 4 — Receive your CLP
KS CLP is valid for 180 days under federal standard.3
Step 5 — Complete FMCSA ELDT
At an FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider.4 See ELDT guide.
Step 6 — Wait the 14-day minimum CLP holding period
Federal rule: at least 14 days.3
Step 7 — Take the three-part skills test
Pre-trip, basic vehicle control, on-road.1
Step 8 — Receive your CDL
$26 for the 4-year CDL + $10 per endorsement.2
Hazmat endorsement — three gates
Adding H (or X) in Kansas requires:
- FMCSA ELDT hazmat theory at a TPR provider4
- TSA Hazmat Endorsement Threat Assessment7
- Kansas hazmat knowledge test at a Kansas license exam station
- $10 KS endorsement fee2
Kansas freight landscape (state context)
Four realities shape CDL demand in Kansas:
-
Kansas City (KS side) distribution. KC metro is a major Midwestern freight hub with BNSF, UP, and KCS intermodal activity. Amazon, UPS, and FedEx distribution centers drive dedicated demand.
-
I-70 transcontinental corridor. DC to Utah through Topeka and Kansas City; major E-W freight spine.
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I-35 Canada-Mexico corridor. Minnesota to Texas through Kansas City and Wichita; heavy NAFTA freight.
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Wichita aviation manufacturing. Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation drive specialty freight for aircraft manufacturing.
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Agricultural hauling. Wheat, cattle, corn, sorghum — significant seasonal agricultural demand.
The practical read: KS CDL-A drivers find work across Kansas City intermodal/distribution, I-70/I-35 OTR, Wichita aviation-specialty, agricultural seasonal, and regional LTL. Affordable CDL entry in Kansas is a career advantage.
Kansas-specific details worth knowing
- Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles.1
- $13 CLP + $26 CDL = exceptionally affordable fee structure.2
- In-person renewal only at any Kansas license exam station.1
- 4-year CDL validity.1
- Kansas City is a top US intermodal hub — YRC Freight (now Yellow/YRC) historically headquartered here, broader freight industry concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a regular Kansas license before a CDL? A: Yes.1
Q: How long is the Kansas CLP valid? A: 180 days under federal standard.3
Q: Can I test in Spanish? A: No. CDL knowledge tests are English-only per federal rule (49 CFR 383.133(c)).1
Q: How much is a Kansas CDL all-in? A: Base Kansas DOR fees: $13 CLP + $26 CDL + $10 per endorsement = $39-$79.2 Add ELDT tuition ($2,800–$6,500 at typical Kansas CDL schools — verify locally), DOT physical ($80–$150), TSA Hazmat (separate federal fee) if applying for H.
Q: Can I renew my Kansas CDL online? A: No. Kansas CDL renewals must be in person at any Kansas license exam station.1
Q: Does KS participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver? A: Yes.8 Qualified military drivers may waive the skills-test portion.
Q: I work Kansas City intermodal. Any specific requirements? A: Class A CDL baseline. TWIC may be required by terminal operators. Carrier-specific training.7
Q: My MEC expired — will my KS CDL downgrade? A: Yes. KS DOR will downgrade your CDL to non-commercial if medical certification lapses. Restore with a new MEC.5
Q: Can I transfer an out-of-state CDL to Kansas? A: Yes. Visit a Kansas license exam station with your out-of-state CDL, proof of Kansas residency, identity documents, and medical self-certification.1
Q: Why is Kansas so affordable for CDL? A: Kansas Department of Revenue fee structure is set very low; total CDL cost is dominated by ELDT tuition and DOT physical, not state fees.2
Q: I want to haul wheat seasonally. Any farm exemptions? A: Federal 49 CFR 383.3(d) farm exemptions apply in specific narrow scenarios. Confirm with Kansas DOR and FMCSA.1
Q: Kansas owner-op vs company — how to evaluate? A: Use Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator with I-70 transcontinental OTR mile mix.
Q: Wichita aviation-specialty CDL — anything unusual? A: Oversize/overweight permits for aircraft component transport. Specialty carrier training. No KS-specific aviation endorsement.
Sources verified on 2026-04-19
This guide is educational and not legal advice. Fees and rules change; verify current figures at ksrevenue.gov before applying. Report errors to [email protected]; corrections are logged publicly per our editorial policy.
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Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles — Commercial Driver's License.
https://www.ksrevenue.gov/dovcdl.html↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩ -
Kansas DOR — Credential Fee Chart.
https://www.ksrevenue.gov/pdf/dmvlicfees.pdf↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩ -
49 CFR Part 383 — Commercial Driver's License Standards.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-383↩↩↩↩↩ -
FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/↩↩↩ -
FMCSA Medical Certification Integration.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/medical-certification-integration↩↩↩ -
49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-383/subpart-E/section-383.71↩ -
TSA Hazmat Endorsement Threat Assessment Program.
https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement↩↩↩ -
FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/military-cdl-licensing↩
