Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will an individual need to get a Kansas drivers license before obtaining a Kansas license plate?

A: According to the Division of Motor Vehicles they will not.  The military can retain their home state driver’s license but may obtain a Kansas license as well.  Military dependents must obtain a Kansas driver’s license.

Q: Are active duty soldiers exempt from state property tax on automobiles?

A: Yes, in most cases. All military personnel with another home state of record are not charged Kansas personal property tax on vehicles.  If the soldier’s permanent residence is Kansas and he/she is stationed in the state, then the soldier can have up to two motor vehicles registered and pay no property taxes.

If a solider is a Kansas resident and they are deployed to another state and their motor vehicle is in another state they do not have to pay property tax on up to two motor vehicles.

Or if a solider does not claim Kansas as their permanent residence while they are in the state then they are not subject to personal property tax under the Federal Soldier's and Sailor's Civil Relief Act.

For more information on Military Personal Property Exemptions please click here.

Q: Military personnel have a 30 day temporary tag for the automobiles when shipped in from overseas. What will the state do if a person's 30 day tag has expired before registering their car in Kansas? Is there any kind of grace period?

A: No one is allowed to drive an automobile on an expired permanent or temporary tag. If a soldier is returning from war efforts, she/he is granted a 7 day grace period after expiration of vehicle tags.

Q.  Is a driver's license valid until a military person is discharged from the military?

A.  No, but a Kansas driver license can be renewed by mail for military personnel and their dependents if stationed outside of Kansas.  For more information see the KDOR website.

Q.  My Kansas driver license expired while I was in the military, and I have now been discharged.  How can I obtain a valid Kansas driver license and what tests do I need to take?

A.  You may renew your Kansas license with no additional testing as long as the renewal is completed within 6 months of the discharge date.  A vision test is all that would be required as long as the expired license is in your possession and documentation of the discharge date can be provided.  This does not apply to military dependents.

For driver license related questions, please contact Kelly, Terry or Alan at 785-296-3963, or email dl@kdor.state.ks.us

For more information driver license/vehicle registrations please see the frequently asked questions located at:   http://www.ksrevenue.org/vehicle.htm

Also, a Division of Motor Vehicles representative is able to help answer specific questions from returning military personnel, please contact Carole at 785.368.6264  or Carmen 785.296.3601 or Peggy 785.368.8798.