State Finance Council renews Gov. Kelly’s Executive Order regarding driver’s licenses and vehicle registration

(WIBW)
Published: Sep. 23, 2020 at 6:05 PM CDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The State Finance Council Thursday renewed Governor Laura Kelly’s Executive Order related to drivers' license and vehicle registration and regulation during the pandemic.

Governor Laura Kelly said she signed Executive Order #20-66 as part of her ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and her commitment to keeping Kansans healthy and businesses open.

Chief Counsel Clay Britton said at the meeting “The idea behind this has been to not require Kansans to come into an office to renew licenses and register new vehicles during the pandemic if at all possible".

Gov. Kelly said E.O. #20-66 extends the deadline drivers have to renew their licenses until Jan. 26, 2021, and sets a staggered deadline for vehicle registrations depending on when the vehicle was purchased in 2020.

“Due to the logistical challenges COVID-19 has presented, it’s important that we provide Kansans with some leniency regarding driver’s license renewal,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This is especially important as we near the election, as people tend to use their drivers' licenses as a form of identification at the polls.”

The Executive Order does not apply to those who hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).

A spokesperson from the Department of Revenue told 13 NEWS “certain federal restrictions set guidance for CDL endorsements like the hauling of hazardous materials, use of multiple trailers, or hauling tankers”.

According to the Department of Revenue, the federal government, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), has, however, created extension waivers for Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Learner’s Permits with renewals due March 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

FMSCA also waived the 14-day wait period between written and drive tests for CDL holders.

Other concerns can be addressed by calling the Division of Vehicles' at 785-296-3671 and asking for the CDL office.

Questions about FMSCA’s emergency declaration can be answered by contacting the FMCSA at 877-831-2250 or by email at FMCSADeclaration@dot.gov.

FMCSA’s extension of their Emergency Declaration can be read here and their three month waiver response can be found here.

For more information on Governor Kelly’s order or to read it in full, click here.

Copyright 2020 WIBW. All rights reserved.