A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Kansas to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Kansas CDL fees start at $26 for a 6-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Kansas CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years, must renew before expiration. Critical for petroleum/propane haulers in Kansas.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common in Kansas for anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer) and fuel/propane tank trucks.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. Kansas USD districts require additional state clearance.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required. Common on I-70 long-haul runs through Kansas.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for anhydrous ammonia tank haulers.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Kansas →Interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The MEC is valid for up to 24 months (shorter for drivers with certain conditions). Submit self-certification as 'non-excepted interstate' and provide a copy of the MEC to the Kansas DMV/Division of Vehicles.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Kansas Division of Vehicles driver license office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Kansas residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $26 — among the lowest in the US.
Kansas CDLs are valid for 6 years. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate is separate and must be renewed every 24 months for most interstate drivers, or more frequently if required by your medical examiner.
A Kansas Class A CDL at age 18 allows intrastate (within Kansas) driving only. Interstate operation — crossing state lines in a qualifying CMV — requires the driver to be at least 21 under federal FMCSA regulations.
Yes. Hauling anhydrous ammonia in bulk requires both an N (Tank) endorsement and an H (Hazardous Materials) endorsement, commonly combined as the X endorsement. The H endorsement requires a TSA background check and fingerprinting.
Kansas CDL skills tests are administered at designated state driver license offices and approved third-party testing sites. Contact the Kansas Division of Vehicles or visit ksrevenue.gov for current locations and scheduling. Third-party sites typically charge $100–$200 for the full skills test.
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Kansas CDL fees are among the lowest in the nation at $26 for original and renewal. Knowledge tests are included in the CDL fee. Skills test fees vary by provider — expect $100–$200 at third-party testing sites. Verify current amounts at ksrevenue.gov before scheduling.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Kansas KS Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026