Free · 26 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Kansas Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Kansas Driving Handbook that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Kansas practice test.
26 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Instruction permit, farm permit and the 15 year old restricted license
Kansas lets you start driving at 14 with an instruction permit or a farm permit, and at 15 with a restricted license after a year on a permit. Each stage limits who rides with you, where you may drive and whether you may use a phone.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 11 to 12
- Lesson 2Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Restricted license at 16 and the unrestricted license
At 16 a restricted license lets you drive from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and for school, church and work, with only one non-sibling minor passenger. Age based limits end once you are over 16 and have held the restricted license for 6 months, and an unrestricted license starts at 17.
9 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 12 to 13
- Lesson 3Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
License tests, renewal and losing your license
The Kansas knowledge test has 25 questions on traffic laws and signs, and you need 20/40 vision in one eye. You get four tries at each test, and three moving violations in a year or driving uninsured can cost you your license.
10 key points · 10 numbers · Handbook pp. 13 to 14
- Lesson 4Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadSpeed limits
Kansas speed limits
Unless signs say otherwise, Kansas limits are 30 mph in urban districts, 55 mph on county and township roads, 65 mph on state and federal highways and 75 mph on designated multilane highways. Posted limits are for ideal conditions, so you must go slower when weather or traffic call for it.
9 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 62
- Lesson 5Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadLaws and paperwork
Seat belts, child seats and air bags
Kansas requires every occupant of a passenger vehicle to be restrained, and an officer can stop you for that alone. Children under 4 ride in a child safety seat, children 4 to 8 in a child seat or booster unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches or over 80 pounds.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 28
- Lesson 6Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Turn signals, U turns and passing
Kansas requires a signal at least 100 feet before any turn and bans U turns where you cannot be seen for 500 feet. Passing is forbidden near bridges, intersections, railroad crossings and stopped emergency vehicles, and you must be back in your lane 200 feet before oncoming traffic.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook p. 17
- Lesson 7Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadRight of way
Right of way at intersections
Kansas right of way rules decide who waits: vehicles already in the intersection go first, and when two arrive together the driver on the left yields to the one on the right. Left turners yield to oncoming traffic, and nobody may enter an intersection without room to clear it.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 33
- Lesson 8Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadSafe driving
School buses and required stops
In Kansas you must stop for a school bus, church bus or day care bus loading or unloading children, from either direction, unless a median or barrier divides the road. The handbook also lists the places where a full stop is always required.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 51
- Lesson 9Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadParking
Where not to park and parking on hills
Kansas bans parking within 15 feet of a hydrant, within 30 feet of a signal or stop sign, within 50 feet of a railroad crossing and more than 12 inches from the curb. On hills, park within 12 inches of the curb and turn your wheels so the car would roll away from traffic.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 19 to 55
- Lesson 10Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveSafe driving
Fatigue, distractions and driver responsibility
Fatigue impairs your vision and judgment much like alcohol, so plan sleep and breaks before long trips. Kansas bans writing, sending or reading texts and other written messages while driving, and you remain responsible for any crash a distraction causes.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 19 to 33
- Lesson 11Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveAlcohol and DUI
How alcohol and drugs affect driving
Alcohol and impairing drugs play a part in about 40% of fatal crashes, and vision is already affected at .02 BAC. Only time sobers you up, at about one hour per normal drink.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 22 to 24
- Lesson 12Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveAlcohol and DUI
DUI law, implied consent and penalties
In Kansas a BAC of .08 or more breaks the law, and drivers under 21 can be arrested at .02. Refusing a test suspends your license for a year on the first refusal, and a first DUI conviction brings a $750 to $1000 fine, jail or community service and an ignition interlock.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 24
- Lesson 13Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Traffic lights and arrows
Kansas traffic lights run red, yellow and green from top to bottom, and each color and arrow has its own rule. You may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, and a flashing red works like a stop sign.
10 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 34 to 35
- Lesson 14Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Warning signs
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols and alert you to hazards ahead. School, school crossing and pedestrian crossing signs may be fluorescent yellow, and the only pennant shaped sign marks a no passing zone.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 17 to 36
- Lesson 15Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Railroad crossing signs and safety
A round yellow RR sign warns of a crossing ahead, and the white X shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself. Trains need more than a mile to stop, so never stop on the tracks and always yield to trains.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 36 to 37
- Lesson 16Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Regulatory signs
Regulatory signs state laws you must obey, and they are usually white with black, red or green markings or have a special shape. A red circle with a slash forbids the action shown.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 39 to 41
- Lesson 17Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Work zone, guide and incident signs
Orange signs warn of work zones, green, brown and blue guide signs point to places and services, and fluorescent pink signs mark temporary incidents. In work zones, slow down and follow flaggers.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 38 to 92
- Lesson 18Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Lane markings and special lanes
Yellow lines separate traffic going opposite ways and white lines separate lanes going the same way; solid means stay, dashed means you may cross when safe. Shared center left turn lanes, reversible lanes and reserved lanes each have their own rules.
9 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 43 to 45
- Lesson 19Section 6: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Driveways, yield signs and roundabouts
Traffic already on the street has the right of way over vehicles leaving a driveway, alley or private road. In a roundabout you drive counterclockwise, slow to about 15 to 20 mph and yield to traffic already circling.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 50
- Lesson 20Section 7: Safe Driving TipsSpeed limits
Safe speed and stopping distance
Kansas's basic speed law requires a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions, whatever the sign says, and driving so slowly that you block traffic is also unlawful. At 50 mph a car needs at least 268 feet to stop, and doubling your speed makes impact and braking distance 4 times greater.
9 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 62
- Lesson 21Section 7: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Following distance, scanning and space
Kansas teaches a two second following distance in prime conditions and four seconds when conditions are bad. Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead and use 4 to 6 second gaps when merging.
9 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 17 to 84
- Lesson 22Section 7: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Slippery roads and hydroplaning
Roads are most slippery when rain, snow or sleet first starts, so slow down about 10 mph on wet roads and by half or more on packed snow. Above 35 mph your tires can start to ride up on water, and slowing down is the best defense against hydroplaning.
9 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 30 to 90
- Lesson 23Section 9: Sharing the RoadEmergencies
Emergency vehicles, move over and traffic stops
When an emergency vehicle approaches with a siren or flashing lights, pull to the right and stop, then stay 500 feet behind it. For a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or road crew, move out of the lane next to it or slow down.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 85
- Lesson 24Section 8: Avoiding Collisions and Emergency SituationsEmergencies
Emergency braking, skids and vehicle failures
To avoid a crash you can brake, steer or accelerate, and with ABS you press the brake hard and keep pressing. The handbook gives step by step responses for brake failure, blowouts, power loss, a stuck accelerator and wheels dropping off the pavement.
10 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 69 to 76
- Lesson 25Section 8: Avoiding Collisions and Emergency SituationsSafe driving
Night driving, fog and floods
Low beams light about 150 to 200 feet and high beams about 350 to 400 feet, so drive at a speed that lets you stop within what you can see. Kansas requires headlights whenever your wipers are on, and if you can see only 100 feet ahead you cannot safely go over 30 mph.
9 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 67 to 92
- Lesson 26Section 9: Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and trucks
Bicyclists and motorcyclists have the same rights as drivers, and you must yield to pedestrians even when they cross illegally. Trucks need far more room to stop and have large blind spots, so stay out of their No Zones.
10 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 80 to 88
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Kansas practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Kansas cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Kansas Driving Handbook (Revised February 2022). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.