Texas driver's license fees depend on what you're getting and how long you want it to last

A standard five-year Texas driver's license costs $25. If you want it to last ten years, you'll pay $40. A Real ID-compliant license — required for federal building access and domestic flights starting May 7, 2025 — costs $32 for five years or $52 for ten years. These are the base fees the Texas Department of Public Safety charges. If you renew by mail or online, you may pay a small processing fee on top, usually $1 to $3.

The price changes if you're under 18, getting a commercial license, or replacing a lost or damaged card. Duplicate licenses cost $11. Learner permits cost $16 for a four-year permit. If you fail the written or driving test and need to retake it, you'll pay $7 per attempt. None of these fees include the cost of a third-party testing site if you choose to take your driving test there instead of at a DPS office.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard five-year Texas driver's license costs $25; a ten-year license costs $40.
  • Real ID licenses cost $32 for five years or $52 for ten years and are now required for federal building access and domestic air travel.
  • Duplicate licenses, learner permits, and test retakes each have separate fees ranging from $7 to $16.
  • Online and mail renewals may include a small processing fee of $1 to $3 in addition to the license fee.

Real ID vs. standard license: what the extra cost covers

The $7 difference between a standard five-year license ($25) and a Real ID ($32) goes toward the federal verification process. When you explore for Real ID, the Texas Department of Public Safety verifies your Social Security number, citizenship or legal residency status, and identity documents with federal databases. This verification step is what makes the license acceptable for TSA screening at airport security and entry to federal buildings.

If you already have a Real ID and renew it, you don't repeat the full verification — you just pay the Real ID fee again. You only go through the verification process once, when you first convert to Real ID or get your first Real ID license. After that, renewals are faster and still cost the Real ID rate.

A standard license has no federal verification requirement, so it costs less and takes less time to process. However, starting May 7, 2025, a standard license will not work for domestic air travel or entry to federal courthouses, military bases, or other find federal facilities. You can still use it for in-state activities like voting or opening a bank account.

What you pay depends on your age and license type

Drivers under 18 pay the same base fee as adults — $25 for five years or $40 for ten years — but their licenses expire sooner and come with restrictions. A learner permit for someone under 18 costs $16 and lasts four years. Once you turn 18, you can convert to an unrestricted license, and you'll pay the standard fee for the remaining time on your permit.

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cost more. A five-year CDL is $75, and a ten-year CDL is $120. These fees cover the additional testing and medical certification required for commercial driving. If you hold both a regular license and a CDL, you pay for each separately.

Motorcycle endorsements add $25 to your license fee if you're getting a new license, or $10 if you're adding it to an existing one. Hazmat endorsements cost $5 and require a background check through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Renewal fees: in-person, online, and by mail

Renewing in person at a DPS office costs the same as the license fee itself — $25 for standard five-year, $40 for standard ten-year, $32 for Real ID five-year, or $52 for Real ID ten-year. You pay at the office when you submit your process.

Online renewal through the Texas DPS website adds a $1 processing fee to the license fee. Mail renewal also adds a $1 processing fee, plus you may need to pay for postage if you're mailing documents. Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you meet other may be able to access requirements — mainly that you're not changing your address or adding a Real ID for the first time.

Mail renewal is slower than in-person or online. The DPS processes mail applications in the order received, which can take several weeks. If you need your license quickly, in-person renewal at a DPS office is fastest, usually completed the same day or within a few days.

Duplicate and replacement license costs

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a duplicate costs $11. You can order a duplicate online, by mail, or in person. Online duplicate orders are the fastest option and include the $1 processing fee, so you'll pay $12 total. The duplicate will have the same expiration date as your original license.

If your license is damaged but still valid, you can request a replacement for $11. If it's expired, you'll need to renew instead, which costs the full renewal fee. A name change also requires a new license at the full renewal fee, not the duplicate rate, because the DPS must update your record.

Test fees and retake costs

If you fail the written test (the knowledge test), you can retake it for $7. The same fee applies if you fail the driving test. You can retake either test as many times as you need, paying $7 each time. There's no limit on the number of attempts, but you must wait at least one day before retaking the written test.

If you take your driving test at a third-party testing site instead of a DPS office, that site charges its own fee in addition to the $7 DPS retake fee. Third-party sites are private businesses, so their fees vary. Some charge $10 to $30 per test attempt. The DPS does not set or control third-party fees.

Payment methods and where to pay

DPS offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards only. Mail renewal requires a check or money order — do not send cash through the mail. If you're paying by check or money order, make it out to the "Texas Department of Public Safety."

You can pay in person at any DPS driver license office. You can renew online at the Texas DPS website if you meet the requirements. For mail renewal, send your process and payment to the address listed on the DPS website for your county. Processing times vary by location and volume, so check the DPS website for current wait times before you choose your renewal method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to get a Real ID when I renew?

Yes. A Real ID costs $7 more than a standard license for the five-year version ($32 instead of $25) and $12 more for the ten-year version ($52 instead of $40). You only pay this extra fee once, when you first convert to Real ID. After that, renewals cost the same Real ID rate.

Can I renew my license online and avoid going to an office?

Online renewal is available if your license is not expired and you're not changing your address or adding Real ID for the first time. If you meet those requirements, you can renew online for the license fee plus $1. If you don't meet the requirements, you must renew in person at a DPS office.

What happens if I fail my driving test — do I have to pay the full license fee again?

No. You pay $7 per test attempt, not the full license fee. Once you pass, you pay the license fee to get your license issued. The $7 covers only the test itself, not the license.

Is there a fee difference between a five-year and ten-year license?

Yes. A five-year standard license is $25; a ten-year standard license is $40. A five-year Real ID is $32; a ten-year Real ID is $52. The ten-year option costs more but lasts longer, so you renew less often.

What if I need a duplicate license right away?

Order online for the fastest service. Online duplicate orders cost $12 ($11 fee plus $1 processing) and are usually processed within a few days. In-person duplicates at a DPS office may be faster in some locations. Call your local DPS office to ask about wait times before you go in.