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How to get a CDL in Kansas through the Division of Vehicles, including fees, testing, and training options.
The Kansas Division of Vehicles (part of the Department of Revenue) issues CDLs in three classes. Class A covers combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs. Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs. Class C covers hazmat or passenger vehicles. Applicants must be 18 for intrastate or 21 for interstate. Kansas requires a valid Kansas driver license, Social Security card, proof of Kansas residency, and US citizenship/legal presence. ELDT requirements apply. Kansas has approximately 20 FMCSA-registered ELDT providers, with training available in Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City area, and other cities.
The Kansas CDL costs $18 for a 4-year or $24 for a 6-year license. The CLP costs $10 and is valid for 180 days. Knowledge tests are $5 per attempt at driver license offices. Skills tests are $25 at state-administered sites or $150-$300 at third-party testers. Kansas maintains multiple skills testing locations throughout the state. Knowledge tests are available in English and Spanish. The state allows three skills test attempts before additional training is required. Kansas's low CDL fees make it very affordable to enter the industry. The Kansas City metro area has the most testing availability due to population concentration.
Kansas offers affordable CDL training. Johnson County Community College (Overland Park), Wichita Area Technical College, and Hutchinson Community College offer CDL programs at $2,000-$4,000. Private schools charge $3,500-$7,000. The Kansas Department of Commerce offers workforce training funds through WIOA. Endorsements follow federal standards. The most in-demand in Kansas are T (Double/Triple, for I-70 corridor LTL operations), N (Tank, for oil/gas and chemical transport in south-central Kansas), and H (Hazmat). The aircraft manufacturing industry in Wichita creates niche demand for flatbed drivers experienced with oversized aviation components. YRC Worldwide (now Yellow, headquartered in Overland Park) was historically a major employer of T-endorsed drivers.