Foreign Driver's License in Kansas: Visitors, Students and License Exchange
Can I drive in Kansas on a foreign driver's license?
Yes, if you are a nonresident. Kansas law (K.S.A. 8-236) says that a nonresident who is at least 16 and carries a valid license from their home state or country may drive class C or M vehicles. The rule stops while that license is suspended or revoked. Licenses from Taiwan, South Korea and U.S. territories transfer to a Kansas license. All other foreign licenses need vision, written and driving tests.
Where these Kansas rules come from
The driving rules come from Kansas law (K.S.A. 8-236) and the Kansas Driving Handbook (revised February 2022). The transfer rules come from the DL FAQ and the South Korea reciprocity page of the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles. The document and student rules come from its proof of identity and required documents pages. The online test rules come from the KnowTo Drive FAQ that the agency links. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (ksrevenue.gov) before you drive.
Who can drive in Kansas without a Kansas license?
| Who | What you may drive under K.S.A. 8-236 |
|---|---|
| Nonresident, 16 or older, with a valid license from your home state or country in your possession | Any class C or M vehicle |
| Nonresident, 18 or older, with a valid home license for class A or class B vehicles | Those vehicles, within the Kansas age limits for that vehicle type |
| Nonresident, 18 or older, from a state or country that does not license drivers | Class C or M vehicles for up to 90 days in a calendar year, if the vehicle is registered in your home state or country |
What does the law ask of a visitor?
Carry your home license with you when you drive, because the law covers only a license in your "immediate possession". The exemption stops while your license is suspended or revoked.
Who else can drive on a valid license at 16 or older?
- Students who live out of state and count as nonresidents for tuition purposes.
- Foreign tourists, teachers or businesspeople who are here for up to one year and hold valid immigration documents.
- Employees of companies licensed to do business in Kansas who are here for a short time to receive or give job instruction.
- Members of foreign military on temporary duty with the Armed Forces, and their spouse and children.
Which foreign licenses transfer to a Kansas license?
| Where the license is from | How you get a Kansas license |
|---|---|
| Taiwan | Kansas reciprocates with Taiwan. A 2017 agreement lets Taiwanese nationals who live in Kansas exchange their license for a Kansas credential. |
| South Korea | A valid, unexpired license transfers without a written or driving exam. You still take a vision exam. |
| U.S. territories | Kansas reciprocates with all U.S. territories. |
| Any other country | You take a vision exam, a written exam and a driving exam. |
What to bring for a South Korea license transfer
- Your valid South Korea driver's license.
- Two pieces of mail in your name that show your Kansas residential address.
- A Social Security card. You do not need it if you are in the U.S. on a non-work authorized visa.
- Proof of lawful presence, such as an I-20 or a DS-2019 with a valid passport.
- Corrective lenses, if you need them, for the vision exam at the driver's license office.
What tests do you take with a license from another country?
You take a vision exam, a written exam and a driving exam. The handbook says vision must be at least 20/40 in one eye when screened at the office. The written test has 25 questions about traffic laws, plus sign identification. You can take it at the driver's license office, or online if you are a Kansas resident. Our free practice questions are in English only. Our Kansas written test guide explains how to prepare.
What if you fail a Kansas test?
You have four chances to pass the written test and four chances to pass the driving test. After a failed test, you may take it again the next working day after you pay a $1.50 re-exam fee. After the fourth failure of either test, you wait at least six months from the last failed exam. Try the practice question on the retest wait after a failed written test.
What international students need
- F-1 and M-1 students bring an I-20 with an unexpired foreign passport. J-1 and J-2 visitors bring a DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor).
- Non-U.S. citizens must be processed through the System Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) before they apply. Bring documents that are enough to start and finish a SAVE check.
- A foreign student or dependent on a non-work authorized status gives no Social Security number proof if no number was issued.
Find your path
Documents for a Kansas license
- First-time applicants bring proof of lawful presence, proof of Social Security number, two proofs of Kansas residential address, and proof of a legal name change if the name differs.
- For non-U.S. citizens, proof of lawful presence can be an unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. entry marking or other documents.
- Give two recent proofs of your current Kansas residential address. A P.O. box is not accepted.
- Bring original documents. Faxed, photocopied, electronic or laminated copies are not accepted.
- Make an appointment, because appointments receive priority. Our guide on what to bring to the Kansas DMV has the full list.
Key Takeaways
- A nonresident who is 16 or older with a valid home license may drive class C or M vehicles in Kansas (K.S.A. 8-236).
- Licenses from Taiwan, South Korea and U.S. territories transfer. Every other foreign license needs vision, written and driving tests.
- International students bring an I-20 or DS-2019 and a passport, and non-citizens go through a SAVE check.
- Bring original documents and two recent proofs of your Kansas address.
- Next step: practice on the free Kansas Class C written practice test.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Kansas with a Taiwan license?
Yes, if you are a nonresident who is 16 or older and carries a valid Taiwanese license, because Kansas law (K.S.A. 8-236) covers a license from your home country. If you live in Kansas, you can transfer it, because Kansas reciprocates with Taiwan. A 2017 agreement lets Taiwanese nationals who live in Kansas exchange their Taiwanese license for a Kansas credential.
Do international students need a Social Security number for a Kansas license?
Not always. Non-U.S. citizens who live in Kansas on a non-work status do not need a Social Security number. If you are a foreign student or dependent on a non-work authorized status and no number was issued to you, you give no Social Security number proof. You still bring your I-20 or DS-2019 and your passport.
Can I take the Kansas written test online with a foreign license?
Yes, if you are a Kansas resident who is at least 14. You take it on a laptop or desktop computer through KnowTo Drive Online, in English or Spanish. The online test uses your Social Security number to verify your identity. If you cannot test online, take the written test at the driver's license office.
Why can a SAVE check take more than one visit?
SAVE is the System Alien Verification for Entitlement. Every non-U.S. citizen must be processed through it before they apply for a Kansas license. Sometimes the documents are not approved on the same day, so you may have to come back. Bring documents that are enough for the examiner to start and finish the check.
When does a Kansas license expire for a temporary resident?
Any license, permit or ID card issued to a temporary resident expires at the same time as your authorization to be lawfully present in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens must show immigration documents each time a card is issued, so bring them for a renewal or a replacement too.
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