KS informs trans residents their driver’s licenses become invalid on Thursday

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

Kansas informs trans residents their driver's licenses become invalid on Thursday

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article314844596.html 🔗

Matthew Kelly (25 Feb 2026)

Transgender Kansans are being informed on the eve of a new state law going into effect that their driver's licenses will be considered invalid as of Thursday. "Please note that the Legislature did not include a grace period for updating credentials. That means that once the law is officially enacted, your current credentials will be invalid immediately, and you may be subject to additional penalties if you are operating a vehicle without a valid credential," read letters mailed by the Kansas Department of Revenue's vehicles division.

Some transgender Kansans interviewed by The Star said they had received the letters. Others who have changed the gender markers on their driver's licenses, state IDs and birth certificates said they had not yet received notification from KDOR as of Wednesday evening.

"Pursuant to the new law, if the gender/sex indication on the face of your current credential does not match your sex assigned at birth, you are directed to surrender your current credential to the Kansas Division of Vehicles," reads the letter, which The Star reviewed multiple copies of. "Upon surrendering the credential, you will be issued a new credential reflecting the gender identification consistent with statutory requirements," it continues. "If you have any questions regarding procedures for obtaining a legally compliant credential, please contact (KDOV) or visit your local driver licensing office."

The legislation provides no funding to help people who need to replace their licenses. Kansas driver's licenses typically cost around $30.

[ChrissyRyan]

Nutso.

[Tig58072]

😡 You have to make an appointment for the DMV here in North Dakota. I assume other states too. That can two weeks or more plus you have to drive to get there.  I'm of the mindset that no grace period was intentional. Pay attention to what happens to people who get busted before they can change their license.

[Courtney G]

This is what magas voted for. This is what they support. This blood is on their hands.

magas: you don't get to pretend trump is a good man or that his administration is doing good things.

[Tig58072]

This occupant of the white house is looking to buy or lease unused warehouses so they can lock up people.... One reason I can think of is if you can target groups of people who would vote against him and his maga cult and imprison them on some wacky charge...they will be unable to vote. It makes it much harder for them to do so even though in most cases you would still have the right to do so.... Target your enemy and simply remove/prevent them from voting.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Since all states are now required to comply with the Real ID Act, I wonder how this Kansas state law will impact those requirements. Each state is required to recertify its compliance with DHS every three years.

[KathyLauren]

Each state is required to recertify its compliance with DHS every three years.

Well, if DHS is in charge of certification, then this Kansas law's approval is a foregone conclusion.  DHS will probably require a similar law in other states.

[AlisonM]

I just don't understand why they can't just let us alone and let us live... It's not like we just chose to be transgender!

[katiebee]

I wonder if you can get a non-resident license in another state. Either way, it's thankfully doomed in the courts. The Supreme Court already held that gender identity falls under "sex" so this is a pretty clear-cut equal protection case in my humble opinion. Hopefully an injunction takes effect as an inevitable lawsuit progresses.

I do think this has the potential to go one of two ways. If it seems like an easy political win for beleagured republicans, it will spread like wildfire. If it comes off as unnecessarily cruel/vindictive, it could be a good turning point for getting the GOP to stop using trans people as a cheap "easy" win for their re-election ads. They should not have to do this at all and it's unfair for them to be in this position, but I hope trans people in Kansas react with a grace that highlights just how unnecessary and cruel (and just practically ineffective) these kinds of laws are.

[KathyLauren]

The Supreme Court already held that gender identity falls under "sex"

That was a previous version of the Supreme Court.  I am not sure that the current version would feel bound by that precedent if it goes against the administation's wishes.

The good news is that the ACLU appears to have already jumped on this to sue Kansas.  So we will at least find out what the court has to say this time.