Has your Kansas driver’s license been suspended due to not having enough money to pay a traffic fine and court costs in 30 days or failure to appear in traffic court?
In April 2024, the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 500 so you are allowed to legally drive on a Restricted license. A strong coalition of organizations and legislators has worked hard since 2012 to make it possible for you to pay your traffic fine(s) and court costs without being fined again for driving on a suspended license.
But it is up to you to take action!!
No one else is going to do it for you. You must be determined enough to follow the instructions and download the forms below if you ever hope to have your driver's license reinstated.
Current law allows a driver with a suspended license for failure to comply with a traffic ticket to receive a restricted license. This allows driving for some specifically designated purposes like work, grocery stores, certain school events, and for a few specifically designated, essential purposes.
Any driver who fails to pay a new traffic ticket within 30 days will be mailed a notice by the DMV that their license has been automatically Restricted instead of Suspended. The driver then has 60 days to set up a payment plan with the Court. If they fail to do so, the DMV will be notified and their license suspended which means that each time they are stopped again, they will receive fines up to $1,500 plus 90 days in jail.
So, NEVER ignore a traffic ticket!! Instead, comply by making reasonable monthly payments agreed to with the Traffic Judge or their Clerk. And, if you are unable to pay the total owed, then file a Manifest Hardship Motion to ask the Court to reduce or totally eliminate your fines, court costs and $100 reinstatement fee. After your payments are in “Substantial Compliance” or have your Manifest Hardship Motion granted, the Court may order that your Regular driver’s license be reinstated by the DMV without restrictions.
Click HERE to check the status of your license. This Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) website shows which fines you still owe and in what jurisdictions plus whether they have been turned over to a collection agency. You may also call (785)296-3671 between the hours of 8am and 4pm to make sure that the information is current and complete.
Remember to keep your address updated with the DMV. They use mail to send suspension warnings and notices of anything you are required to do. Address changes can be made through that weblink.
It is often possible to get a restricted license while resolving your suspension. This allows you to drive for certain essential matters, like work and medial appointments (detailed list below).
Click HERE to download the Restricted License Application. After you complete the form, then print and mail it to:
Division of Vehicles
Drivers Solutions
PO Box 12021
Topeka KS 66612-2021
Or Fax to: 785-296-6851
If you qualify, they will mail you a Restricted License to drive legally while you pay your fines and fees. If they deny your application, they are required to mail you the reason why.
Time Saving Tip:
The Kansas Department of Revenue also has an APP called iKan which you can download. Go to https://ikan.ks.gov/ for more information about how to install and use this online service. It could save you lots of time rather than having to wait on the phone or having to take off from work to go talk to a Court Clerk!! You can also make payments using this APP and update your mailing address.
Once you receive a Restricted License in the mail from the KDOR, you are allowed to drive again legally while paying your fines and court costs. However, while you are waiting to receive it, do NOT drive on a suspended license. Doing so could cost you another $1,500 fine plus 90 days in jail and having the vehicle you were driving impounded.
After your Restricted License arrives in the mail, SB 500 ONLY allows you to drive under the following circumstances:
If the amount you owe is more than you can pay in 30 days, call the Court Clerk where you got the traffic ticket and set up a payment plan. You may pay what you owe in installment payments and/or by doing Community Service. If the Court allows you to do community service, ask the judge to credit each hour worked at $15 and only agree to monthly payments which you know you can make.
SB 500 allows you to drive on a Restricted License as long as you keep making your payments. The Court is required to let you know what constitutes “substantial compliance” with making those payments and/or community service. If you do, the judge is allowed to reissue your Regular License while you finish paying the balance owed.
But, if the accumulated total due is more than you can possibly pay in a year or two--as well as your other monthly bills like rent, food, medical expenses, child support and fuel to drive to and from work--then file a Manifest Hardship Motion with each Court where you have an unpaid traffic ticket.
SB500 requires the Court Clerk to provide you with the correct form. You don’t need to hire an attorney to fill it out. List your income and expenses then ask the Court to reduce and/or cancel your remaining fines, court costs plus the $100 license reinstatement fee.
This written Motion is to ask the Judge to reduce the total back to the amount you would have owed for the original traffic ticket you received instead of the accumulated driving-on-suspended fines and fees which have been added since then. The Court also has the authority to rule that all of your remaining fines and fees are no longer owed.
Once you deliver your written Motion to the Court Clerk where your ticket was issued, they will schedule a hearing date for the Judge to rule on your Motion.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU APPEAR ON THAT DATE!! IF YOU DON'T COME, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT YOU WILL BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE.
If the Judge grants your Motion, keep making the reduced payments and/or Community Service which the Court orders. Once you show that you are in “substantial compliance”, SB500 allows the Court to reissue your regular license before you complete paying the remaining balance.
Below are the website links and forms for you to download and file if you owe traffic fines in Wichita Municipal Court and/or Sedgwick County District Court. This information has been verified with these two Courts and will save you time and frustration. If you find a link which does not open, please send an email to ghnickel@yahoo.com to let us know.
If you owe fines in other jurisdictions--in Kansas or other states--make sure that you contact each court and follow their instructions. You must clear all of your unpaid traffic fines before the DMV will reissue your Regular Kansas Driver's license.
This webpage is being re-built. Forms to download are still coming
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