You can take the permit test in Kansas four times. The Kansas Driving Handbook says you have four chances to pass the written test, and after a fourth fail you must wait at least six months from your most recent failed exam before you test again. So how many times can you take the permit test in Kansas before a long wait? Four, which is why each try should count.
Here is how retakes work at a driver's license office and online, what each try costs, and how to make sure you do not need all four.
How many times can you take the permit test in Kansas?
| Attempt | What happens if you fail |
|---|---|
| 1st | Retest as soon as the next working day, after paying the re-exam fee |
| 2nd | Same: next working day at the earliest |
| 3rd | Same: next working day at the earliest |
| 4th | Wait at least 6 months from the most recent failed exam |
The rule comes from the Kansas Driving Handbook, published by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (ksrevenue.gov). The handbook also gives you four chances to pass the driving test, with the same six-month wait after a fourth fail.
Next working day is the earliest you can retest, not the day you should. If you missed more than a few questions, give yourself a few days of study first.
What a retest costs
The Division of Vehicles fee chart lists these written exam charges at the office:
- First exam attempt: $3.00.
- Re-exam within 6 months: $1.50.
- Re-exam after 6 months: the $3.00 fee applies again.
- Regular learner's permit: $10.00 total ($2.00 permit fee plus $8.00 photo fee).
Fees change, so check the current Kansas Credential Fee Chart on ksrevenue.gov before you go.
Kansas permit test online: do retakes work the same way?
Kansas lets you take the written exam online at ks.knowtodrive.com, then bring your passing result to a driver's license office. The Division of Vehicles says you need a laptop or desktop computer, and the test does not work in Internet Explorer.
When KDOR announced the online exam in April 2021, it set the fee at $10 for the first test and $8.50 for a retest. The Division of Vehicles has not published a newer amount on the pages we checked, so confirm the current price on the KnowToDrive site before you pay.
KDOR does not say on its pages how online fails count toward the handbook's four chances, or how soon you can retake online. Read the rules on the KnowToDrive site before you start, and ask a driver's license office if anything is unclear.
How to pass before you use up your chances
- Download the free Kansas Driving Handbook from ksrevenue.gov. A printed copy is $2.00 at a driver's license office.
- Read one section a day and write down every number: distances, ages, alcohol limits.
- Learn road signs by shape and color. The written exam includes sign identification on top of the 25 traffic law questions.
- Take practice tests until you score 24 or 25 out of 25 several times in a row.
- After a fail, list what you missed and restudy those sections before you book the retest.
The handbook does not publish a passing score for the 25 questions, which is another reason to aim for a near perfect practice score.
FAQ
How many times can you take the permit test in Kansas?
Four. The Kansas Driving Handbook gives you four chances to pass the written test. After a fourth fail, you wait at least six months from the most recent failed exam.
How soon can I retake the Kansas permit test?
At an office, as soon as the next working day after you pay the $1.50 re-exam fee.
Can I take the Kansas permit test online?
Yes. The written exam is available at ks.knowtodrive.com on a laptop or desktop computer. You still visit a driver's license office with your documents to get the permit.
What score do I need to pass?
The handbook says the test has 25 traffic law questions plus sign identification, but it does not publish a passing score. Aim for 24 or 25 on practice tests.
