Ticket Fines and Penalties in Kansas

Kansas Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Kansas traffic tickets fines vary by violation, but the fines for most violations are statewide and set by the Kansas Legislature.

For example, improper passing costs $75, no matter the location; likewise, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle costs $195 everywhere in the state.

You can check your ticket for your specific traffic ticket fine, as well as the state’s Uniform Fine Schedule for Traffic Infractions.

Speeding fines vary, and you can find them at Fine and Cost Schedule for Speeding Violations.

Iff the officer didn’t list a fine, it means there is no state-mandated fine or that other circumstances go into determining the fine. At this point, you must contact your court for an exact number.

Court Costs and Other Surcharges

Overall, court costs are the same―or don’t vary by much―throughout the state.

Currently, the Kansas docket fee is $98. Any other court-related cost is up to the court.

DUI Surcharges

There are two kinds of DUI surcharges: DUI fines and administrative penalties.

DUI Fines

• First Offense: $500-$1,000
• Second Offense: $1,000-$1,500
• Third Offense: $1,500-$2,500
• Fourth Offense: $2,500

NOTE: These fines are in addition to court costs.

Administrative Penalties

For DUI cases, administrative penalties―or costs―refer to the license reinstatement fees a driver must pay.

• First Offense: $100
• Second Offense: $200
• Third Offense: $300
• Fourth Offense: $400

Fines are just the beginning. For more information about other DUI-related penalties, refer to KS DUI.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

You might as well consider increased auto insurance rates as part of the overall costs associated with traffic violations.

However, there’s good news about increased rates: You can work to offset or avoid them.

• Ask about discounts for traffic school.
• Start comparing auto insurance rates online to find a more affordable policy.

Kansas Traffic Ticket Penalties

Fines, court costs, and other surcharges―the proverbial buck doesn’t stop there.

Kansas will suspend, revoke, or cancel your driver’s license for certain violations.

KS Driver’s License Suspension, Revocation, Withdrawal, and Cancellation

License Suspension: You lose your driving privileges for up to one year.

License Revocation: You lose your driving privileges for longer than one year.

License Cancellation: Permanent loss of driving privileges. Less common that suspensions and revocations.

Check the “Your Driver License” section of the Kansas Driving Handbook to learn more about how you can lose your driving privileges.

For now, moving violation examples include:

• DUI-related convictions.
• Reckless driving.
• Attempting to elude a police officer.
• Failing to stop and render aid during an accident involving injury or death.
• Commission of a felony involving a vehicle.
• Vehicular battery.
• Aggravated vehicular homicide.

Violation Accumulation Penalties

You also face license suspension for accumulating three moving violations within a 12-month period.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 21

DUI (for you, driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher) means an automatic 30-day license suspension, followed by 330 days of restricted driving privileges.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 16

If you’re younger than 16, have a restricted driver’s license, and get two or more moving violations, your license remains restricted until you turn 17 years old.

Penalties for Kansas Commercial Drivers

Notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic violation.

The following are federally-mandated penalties:

Major Offenses

The following major offenses result in a one-year license suspension or disqualification:

• Driving any vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04%.
• Refusing a sobriety test.
• Leaving an accident scene.
• Committing a felony with the vehicle.
• Driving a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL.
• Negligent driving resulting in fatality.

Serious Offenses

The following are considered serious offenses:

• Speeding 15 miles or more over the limit.
• Driving recklessly.
• Changing lanes improperly.
• Following too closely behind another vehicle.
• Driving a CMV without having a CDL.
• Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violating a state law of texting while driving.

If you’re convicted of a:

• Second offense, you’ll lose your license for 60 days.
• Third offense, you’ll lose your license for 120 days.

CDL Disqualifications

If you violate a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting―

• Nonhazardous materials, or
• Hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers.

For more information, refer to the FMCSA’s Rules and Regulations and the state’s Commercial Driver’s License Handbook.