Kansas Driving Handbook (Non-Commercial Driver's Manual): study guide

Key rules by chapter

A few of the rules from each chapter that come up in our practice questions:

0. Required Documents; Real ID; Age Requirements; Contact

• A Class C or M instruction permit is available at 14 years of age or older.
• Approved private schools offer 8 hours of classroom and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction; internet driver's ed courses are not accepted.
• Internet courses do not meet Kansas requirements; their certificates will not be accepted.

1. The Driver's License

• Permit holders may drive only with a licensed adult in the front seat who is at least 21 and has at least one year of driving experience.
• No person but the supervising adult may be in the front seat.
• A Class C instructional permit expires in one year and may be renewed by retaking and passing the written exam.

2. State Laws and Rules of the Road

• Unless otherwise posted, the maximum is 30 mph in any urban district.
• 75 mph on any separated, multilane highway as designated and posted by the Secretary of Transportation.
• 65 mph on any state or federal highway outside of towns.

3. Be in Shape to Drive

• If you are under 21, you can be arrested for alcohol impairment at .02%.
• If you have a BAC of .08 or more, your license and privileges may be suspended for 30 days and you may face criminal penalties.
• A first conviction may bring a fine of $750-$1,000 plus court costs, at least 48 hours in jail or 100 hours of community service, suspension, and an ignition interlock.

4. Before You Drive

• Adjust your seat so at least 10 inches is between the center of your chest and the steering wheel.
• More than half of injury or fatal crashes happen at speeds under 40 mph and within 25 miles of home.
• The lap belt should be snug and lie low across your hips after fastening.

5. Basic Driving

• Limit steering to not more than 180 degrees when evading a problem; more causes traction loss. Returning from off-road takes only 45-90 degrees.
• For hand-to-hand steering, the left hand is between 7 and 8 o'clock and the right between 4 and 5; 10 and 2 is not recommended because of airbags.
• Use one-hand steering only when backing or operating controls that require a temporary reach.

6. Rules of the Road

• When entering a roundabout you must negotiate a sharp curve; slow to about 15 to 20 mph.
• The law says who must yield; it does not give anyone the right-of-way. You only gain it when another road user gives it to you.
• You must stop on a multi-lane highway whether the bus is on your side of the road or the opposite side.

7. Safe Driving Tips

• On wet roads, reduce speed about 10 mph below recommended speeds; with packed snow, reduce by half or more.
• If there is packed snow on the road, reduce your speed by half or more.
• Driving more than 15 mph slower than the traffic flow can be just as dangerous as excessive speed.

8. Avoiding Collisions and Emergency Situations

• When you cannot see farther than 100 feet ahead, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph.
• Low beams let you see about 150-200 feet ahead, so about 45 mph lets you stop within that distance; high beams (350-400 feet) allow about 65 mph.
• Add at least one additional second for night driving and at least two additional seconds on unfamiliar roads at night.

9. Sharing the Road

• You must stay at least 500 feet away from the emergency vehicle.
• State law requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, including towing and recovery vehicles, to vacate the closest lane or slow down.
• Unlike a school bus, you do not have to stop for a transit bus picking up or dropping off people unless you are behind it.

10. Special Driving Situations

• Dim your high beams whenever you come within about a one-block distance of an oncoming vehicle.
• 6 inches of water reaches the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or stalling; 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.
• 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

11. How to Prepare for Your Driver License

• You must score 80% to pass the knowledge test.
• The test is not timed, but generally takes 15 to 20 minutes.
• If under 17, you must hold your instruction permit for one full year or until age 17, whichever comes first.

12. Optional Information

• Running the engine for about 10 minutes each hour is recommended, keeping the exhaust pipe clear and a window partly open.
• Stay with your vehicle; most deaths happen when people leave, get lost and suffer prolonged cold exposure.
• Avoid sheltering under bridges or overpasses; winds are stronger there due to a wind tunnel effect.

How to study the handbook

Read one chapter, then take a practice test. Every answer explanation names the handbook section it comes from, so when you get one wrong, go back to that section. Pay most attention to exact numbers and to the rules specific to Kansas, which are where most people lose points.