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About the Kansas General Knowledge Test

Kansas roads demand your full attention. You'll drive on long, straight stretches of I-70 where wind gusts can reach 50 mph. Winter brings ice on I-35 near Emporia, and summer means blinding dust on US-54 around Dodge City. Our test covers these real conditions so you're ready for anything.

Agriculture drives Kansas – you'll haul grain from elevators in Garden City, livestock from feedlots near Pratt, and oil field equipment from the Cherokee lowlands. Know the weight limits for those loads. Also understand how to handle sudden stops when a tractor pulls onto the highway.

We focus on the CDL manual's core topics but always tie them back to Kansas. You won't find generic questions here. Every scenario matches something you'll actually see on our roads. Pass once, drive with confidence.

What This Test Covers

  • Pre-trip inspection – critical for Kansas' long hauls where breakdowns strand you miles from help
  • Air brakes – essential when hauling heavy grain loads down I-135's steep grades
  • Combination vehicles – master backing into tight grain elevator docks
  • Hazardous materials – needed if you transport propane to rural farms or oil to refineries
  • Speed management – different rules for Kansas' 75 mph interstate vs. 55 mph two-lane highways
  • Night driving – deer on US-83 and unlighted farm equipment demand extra caution

Study Tips

Read the Kansas CDL manual front to back – the test pulls questions straight from it. Pay extra attention to the air brake section because Kansas' flat terrain makes them vital for stopping heavy trucks. Don't skip the combination vehicle chapter either; you'll use fifth-wheel couplings on most rigs here.

Take our practice test repeatedly until you score 90% or higher. Focus on the questions you get wrong. Kansas DMV also offers a free online CDL knowledge test preview – use that alongside ours. Finally, know your endorsements: a tanker endorsement helps with livestock feed liquid haulers, and hazmat is common for oil field contractors.

Kansas DMV Information

You can take your CDL knowledge test at 12 Kansas DMV offices – locations include Topeka, Wichita, Kansas City, Salina, Hays, Dodge City, Garden City, Pittsburg, Manhattan, Emporia, Liberal, and Junction City. Schedule your appointment online through the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. Walk-ins rarely work, so book ahead.

The knowledge test costs $10 per attempt, payable by cash or card. Bring your current Kansas driver's license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. If you don't pass, you can retake it the same day after a one-hour wait. Your passing score stays valid for 12 months – use that time to complete the skills test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if you haul agricultural products across state lines or your truck's GVWR exceeds 26,000 pounds. Kansas has specific farm exemptions, but you'll still need a CDL for certain operations.

You'll need to transfer your CDL within 90 days. Provide proof of your current CDL, pass the vision test, and take the Kansas written knowledge test. No skills test required if your license is current.

You must be 18 for intrastate driving, 21 for interstate. Kansas also requires you to hold a valid Kansas driver's license for at least one year.

Yes, the written test is available in Spanish at most locations. You'll need to request it when scheduling your appointment.

Your passing score lasts for 12 months. You must complete the skills test within that time or retake the knowledge test.

Test Details

  • State: Kansas
  • Test: General Knowledge Test
  • Questions: 140
  • Passing Score: 80%
  • Time Limit: 60 minutes
  • Cost: Free

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Quick Topics

  • Pre-trip, air brakes, and combination vehicles
  • Kansas-specific weather hazards (wind, dust, ice)
  • Weight limits and agricultural exemptions