Defensive Driving in Kansas

SUMMARY: Kansas Defensive Driving Courses

Defensive driving courses, or traffic school, may be completed if:

  • You've received a traffic ticket.
  • You want to avoid a driver's license suspension from the Kansas Department of Revenue (DOR).
  • You want to earn an auto insurance discount.

Completing a defensive driving course will give you the safe driving skills necessary to reduce your risk of committing traffic violations and causing accidents in the future.

On this page you'll find general information about defensive driving/traffic school in Kansas and who to contact for more information.

Taking Defensive Driving in Kansas

Depending on your personal driving history and/or the nature of your traffic offense, you may be able to complete a defensive driving course to:

  • Satisfy requirements of the Kansas DMV or traffic court.
  • Dismiss a traffic ticket or complete your sentencing.
  • Avoid increased auto insurance rates.
  • Earn a car insurance discount.

You may have the option of completing your traffic school online or in a classroom. In some circumstances, your traffic court or the KS DMV may require you to complete the course in person.

Your eligibility to take a course will often be determined by the KS DMV, traffic court, or your auto insurance provider.

If you have been ordered to complete a Kansas defensive driving course to satisfy a court or DOR requirement, you should receive information about:

  • Your deadline to finish the program.
  • Which program you must complete.
  • Additional fees and documents you need to submit.

For more information about courses available to you, please contact:

  • The Kansas DOR.
  • The traffic court handling your ticket.
    OR
  • Your car insurance provider.

Dismiss a Traffic Ticket

For minor traffic offenses, your court may allow you to complete a defensive driving course to dismiss your traffic ticket. Traffic school may also be mandatory, depending on your conviction.

If you are convicted of a major traffic offense or receive too many tickets, the Kansas DOR will add points to your driving record and possibly suspend your driver's license. You may be able to use traffic school to either prevent a suspension or reinstate your driver's license.

For more information, please visit our pages on:

Earn an Insurance Discount

Taking a Kansas defensive driving/driver improvement course voluntarily may allow you to earn a safe driving discount with your insurance provider.

Depending on your auto insurance provider, they may offer discounts to drivers of all ages, not just teenage and elderly drivers.

Remember to check with the appropriate agency before enrolling in a defensive driving course to make sure you're eligible for a discount.

Kansas Traffic School Details

Both classroom and online defensive driving courses in Kansas may cover topics including:

  • Kansas traffic laws.
  • Traffic violations and consequences.
  • Alcohol/drug abuse and its effects on your driving ability.
  • Safe driving habits.
  • Sharing the road with other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Courses can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. Contact your course provider for specific course information and fees.

Generally, you'll need to pass a final test as part of your defensive driving course, and you'll receive a certificate upon completion.

Depending on your reason for taking traffic school, you may need to submit your completion certificate to the traffic court handling your citation, the Kansas DMV, and/or your car insurance company.

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