Division of Vehicles presents 2026 priorities: new plates, e‑lien project, mobile services and Real ID progress

Deann Williams, director of the Division of Vehicles, told the Kansas Senate Transportation Committee on the floor that the division will roll out new license plates for 2026, is launching an electronic‑lien (e‑lien) system for vehicle titles, and has improved customer service through expanded mobile services and online appointments.

Williams said the division completed its annual dealer renewal with 2,472 registered dealers for 2026 and highlighted that the state pays for the physical production and distribution of license plates. “A constituent does not pay for their license plate,” Williams said. “The state pays for each license plate that is distributed.” She added personalized plate fees and registration fees appear separately on customer bills.

The presentation described several operational items that affect motorists and state administration: the division’s training and quality‑assurance programs for county staff and third‑party contractors; transfer of private driving‑school oversight into the division (53 schools, 835 instructor licenses); and a product integration manager to coordinate projects. Williams said the mobile unit issued 3,399 CDLs, driver’s licenses or ID cards during calendar year 2025 and that average wait times at driver‑license offices have fallen to roughly 10–15 minutes since the appointment system was deployed.

On technology, Williams outlined a forthcoming lien e‑filing system that will let lenders file liens electronically and trigger title printing and direct mailing to customers when liens are satisfied. She also noted the division is working with the Department of Insurance on a real‑time insurance project tied to a law passed last year and that the state is recertifying with the Transportation Security Administration to maintain Real ID compliance; the division reported 87.6% of Kansans currently have a Real ID gold star on their identification.

Senators asked operational questions. Senator Joe Clays pressed for the production cost of specialty or affinity tags; Williams said it costs a little over $10 to make a plate plus postage. Senator Kelly Warren asked about Chiefs and Royals specialty plates; staff said the Chiefs plate will be available Jan. 1 and the Royals plate remains in development, with the sponsor required to meet criteria including a 250‑name request threshold before the plate can be finalized.

Kent Selk (driver services manager) clarified the mobile unit’s role: staff may issue commercial learner’s permits and credentials at events but the mobile team does not perform CDL skills testing or certify skills evaluations—those remain in‑person skills exams. Committee members also questioned the division about issuing CDLs to non‑resident H‑2A/H‑2B workers; the division said applicants must provide required documentation and pass knowledge and skills testing, and that the skills exam requires sufficient English proficiency.

The committee did not take formal votes on operating items; Williams provided contact information and encouraged members to reach out to division staff with follow‑up questions. The committee then moved on to bill introductions before adjourning.