134,468

Kansans’ driver's licenses suspended due to unpaid fees and fines as of Nov. 2020.

6th

In 2021, Kansas had the sixth highest suspension rate in the country.  ​

71%

71% of new suspensions were due to unpaid tickets, court costs, and/or fines.

Progress made during the 2021 Legislative Session

In 2021, Kansas made progress on limiting the harmful impact of driver's license suspensions by increasing access to its restricted driver's license program, allowing individuals to petition a court to waive fines and fees due to manifest hardship, and reducing unnecessary punitive suspension extensions. Yet, there is still much work to be done.

Renewing efforts to end driver's license suspensions represents another potential step forward for Kansas on this issue. Kansas can continue to make important progress with the support of the Coalition for Public Safety and increased strategic advocacy to conservative leaders and law enforcement officials.  Click here to read our 2021 legislative update on efforts to end driver's license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees.

Driver’s license suspensions are a major barrier to maintaining employment, getting to the doctor’s office, taking children to school, and going to the grocery store. The system-wide practice of suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid debt dramatically impacts the economic wellbeing of the individual, household, and community. Research also shows Kansans of color and those experiencing poverty are disproportionately impacted by debt-related driver's license suspensions, and, on average, their suspensions last longer.

​Suspending an individual’s driver's license also wastes public resources. When courts and law enforcement agencies are spending time enforcing and processing license suspensions, they are being used as debt collectors instead of as institutions that advance public safety.

Reports have shown increasing fines and penalties on those who cannot afford to pay does not lead to an increase in collection, it only leads to an increasing amount of uncollected monies. There is not a good connection between suspending someone’s driver’s license and collecting their fine or penalty.

License-for-payment traps rig the system against those experiencing poverty. Suspending driver's licenses for unpaid fines or fees is simply bad public policy, and it's past time for reform.  Click here to read the 2021 policy brief.