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 $76, and $22 surcharge. 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

  • 1st Offense: $500-$1,000.
  • 2nd Offense: $1,000-$1,500.
  • 3rd Offense: $1,500-$2,500.
  • 4th 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.

  • 1st Offense: $100.
  • 2nd Offense: $200.
  • 3rd Offense: $300.
  • 4th Offense: $400.

Fines are just the beginning.

Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)

  • Pay the fine, possibly online.
  • Risk license suspension or revocation, depending on number and nature of violation.
  • Pay higher auto insurance rates.
  • Possibly attend a traffic school to satisfy ticket and get insurance discount.

Learn more about Paying your Traffic Ticket »

Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty or Nolo Contendere)

  • Contest your ticket and schedule a hearing.
  • Present your case, possible with a traffic ticket attorney.
  • Gain no penalties if found not guilty (except applicable court/attorney fees).
  • Appeal the guilty verdict (if applicable).

Learn more about Fighting your Traffic Ticket »

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.

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 1 year.

License Revocation: You lose your driving privileges for longer than 1 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 3 moving violations within a period of 12 months.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 21 Years Old

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 years old

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:

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