Kansas Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Kansas rules and numbers to know for the DMV knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Kansas driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Kansas test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- 25
- To pass
- 20 of 25 correct (80%)
- Time limit
- The DMV says the Kansas knowledge test is not timed.
- Minimum permit age
- 14 years old
- Hold the permit for
- Under 17: hold the instruction permit 1 year from issuance or until 17th birthday, whichever occurs first
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
Kansas rules and numbers
From the official Kansas handbook (Revised February 2022); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Road signs
- A red octagon always means stop completely. [p.40]
- A yield sign is a downward-pointing triangle, red and white. [p.40]
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction or work zones. [p.38]
- A green light means go only if the intersection is clear. [p.34]
- A pennant-shaped yellow sign marks a no-passing zone. [p.17]
Rules of the road
- Kansas: the rural interstate maximum speed limit is 75 mph. [p.16]
- Kansas: headlights from sunset to sunrise and when you can't see 1,000 feet ahead. [source]
- Uncontrolled intersection: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. [p.18]
- Kansas: a BAC of 0.02% or more is DUI for drivers under 21. [source]
- Kansas: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. [p.19]
- Kansas: stop for a school bus with flashing red lights until they stop flashing. [p.18]
- A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution. [p.34]
- Kansas: signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes. [p.17]
- Merging: traffic already on the highway has the right of way. [p.33]
- Emergency vehicle with lights or siren: pull to the right and stop until it passes. [p.18]
- Kansas school zone: 20 mph when children are present or flashers operate. [p.16]
- Kansas: a white curb means only short stops are permitted. [p.55]
- Four-way stop: the first vehicle to arrive goes first. [p.33]
- Kansas: report crashes with injury, death, or $1,000+ damage to police at once. [source]
- Parking uphill with a curb: turn your wheels away from the curb. [p.52]
- Double solid yellow lines: no passing from either direction. [p.43]
- Kansas: yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. [p.44]
- Kansas: texting while driving carries a $60 fine. [p.19]
- Kansas: every front-seat occupant must be belted or in a child restraint. [p.16]
- Kansas Move Over: change lanes, or if you can't, slow down and pass with caution. [p.18]
- Turning left: yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. [p.33]
- Kansas: the urban district speed limit is 30 mph unless posted. [p.16]
- Kansas: no parking within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. [p.19]
- Dashed white lines: you may change lanes or pass when safe. [p.43]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Kansas: two-second following distance in good conditions, four in bad. [p.17]
- In fog, use low-beam headlights; high beams reflect back at you. [p.77]
- Skid on ice: ease off the pedals and steer where you want to go. [p.74]
- When backing, turn and look through the rear window; don't rely on mirrors. [p.32]
- Kansas: a vehicle horn must be audible from at least 200 feet. [source]
- Brake failure: pump the pedal, downshift, then ease on the parking brake. [p.75]
- Rain is most dangerous when it first starts; oil makes roads slick. [p.59]
- Kansas: headlights on whenever wipers run continuously in rain, sleet, or snow. [p.67]
- Curves: slow before entering, hold a steady speed, accelerate on the way out. [p.59]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.