During the 2024 session, the Kansas Legislature passed Senate Bill 500 that establishes a new model that takes a much driver-friendly approach to license suspensions. Instead of automatically suspending a person’s license for non-payment of a ticket, a notice is sent to the person’s address on record reminding them to pay or their license will be suspended.
The program also requires local governments to establish payment plans for individuals who can’t afford to pay their tickets in full. If your license is suspended or revoked, the law also makes it easier to get your license reinstated or to get a restricted license that allows you to drive for a broader list of activities.
However, many of these new changes don’t go into effect until January 1, 2025, but there are still several changes that have been implemented locally that might help you if your license is suspended or revoked or if you have a new ticket, you feel you can’t afford to pay.
To help individuals struggling with traffic tickets and court, the Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board is sponsoring a workshop “How to Get a Restricted Driver’s License.” The workshop will also cover the impact of SB 500. The workshop will be on Sat., Aug. 24, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Center, 2700 Woodland.
Presenters will include KS Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, who was instrumental in helping get SB500 passed, Lacey Black, and Lacey Black from the Kansas Department of Revenue Driver’s License Division. This is the division that will be responsible for implementing the broad changes made by SB500. In addition, Shawn Elliot, a Sedgwick County Traffic Judge and a representative from Kansas Legal Services will also participate.
What Will You Learn?
How do I get a restricted license?
What are the steps involved?
The city’s Walk-in-docket: what do I need and how does it work?
My ticket is in collections, what do I do?
Want to learn more, the Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board has lots of information about suspended licenses on their website, go to: racialprofilingwichitsks.com.
