Photo: >Author Elli, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
According to the Kansas Driving Handbook, the written driving test has 25 questions on Kansas traffic laws, and you must also identify road signs by their shape, color or symbol. This practice set copies that layout: 25 law questions built from the Kansas statutes, then a 12-question sign round. The questions are original and unofficial; they are not KDOR’s.
The Kansas written test
| Item | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
| Format | 25 traffic-law questions plus road sign identification (Kansas Driving Handbook) |
| Pass mark | 80% (20 of 25), per the Kansas Driving Handbook (February 2022) |
| Minimum age | 14 for an instruction permit; under 16, a parent or guardian applies in writing |
| Online option | KnowToDrive Online, launched April 1, 2021, for applicants who qualify |
| Retake | K.S.A. 8-240 sets a $1.50 examination fee to retake a failed written test in the office |
Online test fees, the driver’s ed certificate that can replace the written test, and what to bring: the Kansas written driving test guide.
Part A: Kansas traffic laws (questions 1 to 25)
1. Unless a lower limit is posted, the maximum speed in a Kansas urban district is:
- A. 25 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 45 mph
Answer: B. K.S.A. 8-1558 sets 30 mph in any urban district. See speed limits and the basic speed law.
2. What is the default maximum on a Kansas county or township highway?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 55 mph
- C. 65 mph
- D. 75 mph
Answer: B. 55 mph under K.S.A. 8-1558. Other highways default to 65 mph, and separated multilane highways posted by the secretary of transportation can be 75 mph.
3. The speed limit sign says 65 mph, but a dust storm has cut visibility. Kansas law expects you to:
- A. Stop in the lane
- B. Hold 65 mph
- C. Drive faster to get through it
- D. Slow to a speed that is safe for the conditions
Answer: D. Speed limits are maximums. When a special hazard exists, a lower speed is required. Pull fully off the road if you cannot see.
4. How far before turning must you signal continuously in Kansas?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 300 feet
Answer: B. K.S.A. 8-1548 requires a signal during at least the last 100 feet before the turn. Signal before stopping or slowing suddenly, too.
5. At a stop sign with no stop line or crosswalk, where should you stop?
- A. Anywhere, if no one is coming
- B. 50 feet back from the corner
- C. At the point nearest the crossing road where you can see approaching traffic
- D. In the middle of the intersection
Answer: C. K.S.A. 8-1528: stop at the line; if none, before the crosswalk; if none, where you can see cross traffic before entering.
6. After stopping at a stop sign, you must yield to:
- A. No one; stopping gives you the right of way
- B. Vehicles in the intersection or close enough to be a hazard, and pedestrians in the crosswalk
- C. Only cars on your left
- D. Only trucks
Answer: B. Stopping does not give you priority. K.S.A. 8-1528. See four-way stops explained.
7. A yield sign means you must:
- A. Stop only if a police officer is present
- B. Always stop
- C. Slow down and stop if needed to let traffic and pedestrians go first
- D. Speed up to merge
Answer: C. K.S.A. 8-1528(c): slow to a reasonable speed and stop if safety requires.
8. A police officer directs you to drive through a red light. You should:
- A. Wait for green
- B. Follow the officer’s direction
- C. Turn around
- D. Ask for the order in writing
Answer: B. Failing to obey a lawful traffic order from a police officer is a misdemeanor under K.S.A. 8-1503.
9. An ambulance with siren and flashing lights comes up behind you. Kansas law says to:
- A. Move to the center lane
- B. Yield, drive to the right-hand edge clear of any intersection, and stop until it passes
- C. Stop in your lane immediately
- D. Speed up to stay ahead
Answer: B. K.S.A. 8-1530(a). See pulling over for emergency vehicles.
10. A highway patrol car is stopped on the shoulder of a four-lane interstate with its lights flashing. You must:
- A. Stop behind it
- B. Honk to warn the trooper
- C. Keep your lane and speed
- D. Change into a lane not next to it if you safely can; if not, slow down
Answer: D. K.S.A. 8-1530(b) requires a lane change on roads with two or more lanes your way, or a reduced, safe speed if you cannot change lanes. See move over laws.
11. A school bus is stopped on a two-lane road with red lights flashing and stop arm out. Who must stop?
- A. Only drivers behind it
- B. Only drivers facing it
- C. No one if the bus is on the shoulder
- D. Drivers meeting or overtaking it from either direction
Answer: D. K.S.A. 8-1556 applies from either direction. Do not go until the bus moves or the lights and arm are switched off. See school bus stopping laws.
12. When does Kansas law say you need NOT stop for a stopped school bus?
- A. When you are behind it on a two-lane road
- B. When you are late
- C. When its lights are flashing but no children are visible
- D. When it is on a different roadway of a highway with separate roadways
Answer: D. K.S.A. 8-1556(d) exempts drivers on a separate roadway, and some loading zones on controlled-access highways.
13. How close to a fire hydrant may you park in Kansas?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
Answer: C. K.S.A. 8-1571 bans standing or parking within 15 feet of a hydrant. See US parking rules.
14. Within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection is parking banned?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: C. 20 feet under K.S.A. 8-1571.
15. On the approach to a stop sign, yield sign or traffic signal at the roadside, you may not park within:
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: C. 30 feet under K.S.A. 8-1571.
16. Which of these is a place where Kansas law bans stopping, standing or parking?
- A. On a bridge
- B. In a driveway you own
- C. In a marked parking bay
- D. On a residential street with no signs
Answer: A. K.S.A. 8-1571 also bans it on railroad tracks, in intersections, on crosswalks, on sidewalks and on controlled-access highways.
17. Which is illegal for every Kansas driver, whatever their age?
- A. Listening to the radio
- B. Reading or sending a text or email while driving on a public road
- C. Using cruise control
- D. Talking to a passenger
Answer: B. K.S.A. 8-15,111 bans writing, sending or reading texts, instant messages and emails while driving. See hands-free and texting laws.
18. A Kansas driver under 21 breaks the law at what breath or blood alcohol level?
- A. .02 or more
- B. .05 or more
- C. .08 or more
- D. .10 or more
Answer: A. K.S.A. 8-1567a sets .02 for drivers under 21. See zero tolerance laws.
19. What is the earliest age for a Kansas instruction permit?
- A. 14
- B. 15
- C. 15 and a half
- D. 16
Answer: A. 14 under K.S.A. 8-2,100. Under 16, a parent or guardian applies in writing. See the Kansas learner driver guide.
20. The adult supervising a Kansas permit driver must be at least what age, with a valid license and at least one year of driving experience?
- A. 18
- B. 19
- C. 21
- D. 25
Answer: C. 21 or older, licensed class A, B, C or commercial, sitting in the front seat beside you.
21. A 15-year-old with a Kansas instruction permit is driving with a qualified supervisor. Who else may sit in the front seat?
- A. One friend
- B. No one
- C. A sibling
- D. Any adult
Answer: B. Under 17, no one else may sit in the front seat. Phone use is also banned except to report illegal activity or call for emergency help.
22. How long must you hold a Kansas instruction permit before a restricted license at 15 or 16?
- A. 3 months
- B. 6 months
- C. 9 months
- D. 1 year
Answer: D. At least one year in both cases. Time on a driver’s education permit does not count, KDOR says. See Kansas restricted license rules.
23. How many supervised hours must a parent certify for a Kansas restricted license at 16?
- A. 25, with 5 at night
- B. 40, with 10 at night
- C. 50, with 10 at night
- D. 65, with 10 at night
Answer: C. 50 hours, 10 of them at night, on a signed affidavit. At 15 the route is 25 hours before the license, then the full 50 by 16. See the Kansas 50-hour affidavit.
24. During the first six months of a restricted license at 16, a Kansas teen may drive for any purpose between:
- A. 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- B. 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- C. 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- D. 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Answer: A. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus trips to or from work, school activities and religious activities at other times, or with a licensed adult.
25. For those six months at 16, how many passengers under 18 who are not immediate family may ride along?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Answer: B. No more than one, under K.S.A. 8-2,101.
Part B: name the sign from its shape or color (questions 26 to 37)
The real test asks you to identify signs by shape, color or symbol. Picture each sign with the words missing.
26. Eight sides:
- A. Yield
- B. No passing
- C. Stop
- D. School
Answer: C. The octagon belongs only to STOP. See US road signs by shape and color.
27. Triangle with one point down:
- A. Warning
- B. Stop
- C. Railroad
- D. Yield
Answer: D. The inverted triangle is the yield sign.
28. Round and yellow:
- A. School zone
- B. Speed limit
- C. Railroad crossing ahead
- D. Hospital
Answer: C. The round sign is the advance warning for a railroad crossing. See railroad crossings.
29. Five sides:
- A. Stop ahead
- B. County road marker only
- C. School zone or school crossing
- D. No passing
Answer: C. The pentagon is the school sign. Watch for children.
30. Pennant pointing right, on the left side of the road:
- A. Rest area
- B. No passing zone
- C. Exit right
- D. Road narrows
Answer: B. The pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone.
31. Yellow diamond:
- A. General warning of a hazard or change ahead
- B. Speed limit
- C. Directions
- D. Services
Answer: A. Diamonds warn of curves, crossings, merges and other conditions.
32. White X-shaped crossbuck:
- A. Closed road
- B. Crossroad ahead
- C. Railroad crossing; yield to trains
- D. Four-way stop
Answer: C. The crossbuck stands at the crossing itself.
33. Orange background:
- A. School zone
- B. Recreation area
- C. Work zone
- D. Hospital
Answer: C. Orange is used for temporary work zone signs. See work zone driving rules.
34. Green background:
- A. Law you must obey
- B. Warning
- C. Directions and distances
- D. Services
Answer: C. Green guide signs point to routes, exits and places.
35. Blue background:
- A. Speed limit
- B. No parking
- C. Construction
- D. Motorist services
Answer: D. Blue shows gas, food, lodging and hospitals.
36. Brown background:
- A. Train crossing
- B. Recreation and cultural sites
- C. Detour
- D. Road work
Answer: B. Brown points to parks, lakes and historic sites.
37. Red circle with a slash through a symbol:
- A. The action is allowed at night
- B. The action shown is not allowed
- C. Caution only
- D. The action shown is required
Answer: B. The slash means “no”, such as no U-turn or no right turn.
How did you do?
| Part | Strong | Needs work |
|---|---|---|
| A: laws (25) | 22 or more | Under 20 |
| B: signs (12) | 12 | Under 11 |
The real test needs 80%, so aim higher here. Sign identification is the easiest place to pick up marks: there are only a few shapes and colors to learn.
Common questions
Are these the real Kansas test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice written from Kansas statutes and the handbook’s topics.
What score do I need to pass the Kansas permit test?
80%. Section 11 of the Kansas Driving Handbook says the test has 25 multiple-choice questions, so you need at least 20 right. You get four tries before a six-month wait.
Can I take the Kansas written test online?
Some applicants can, through KnowToDrive Online. The portal tells you whether you qualify. You still visit an office for the vision test and permit.
Can driver’s ed replace the written test?
KDOR’s teen FAQ says a driver education completion certificate (form DE-99) is accepted instead of the written test for an instruction permit. See Kansas driving test and the driver’s ed waiver.
I live on a farm. Is there a different permit?
Yes, a farm permit from 14 to under 17 if you live or work on a farm of more than 20 acres. See the Kansas farm permit.
Practice tests for other states?
See US permit practice tests by state.
Sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-1503, 8-1528, 8-1530, 8-1548, 8-1556, 8-1558 and 8-1571” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, “K.S.A. 8-2,100, 8-2,101, 8-240, 8-15,111 and 8-1567a” (ksrevisor.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Kansas Driving Handbook” (ksrevenue.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, “Driver’s license written exam available online” (ksrevenue.gov)
- Kansas Department of Revenue, teen driver FAQ (ksrevenue.gov)