What you'll pay for a Texas driver's license

A Texas driver's license costs $16 for a Class C license (the standard license for regular drivers), and that fee covers eight years. If you're under 18, the cost is the same, but your license expires sooner. You'll also pay separate fees for the written test, the road test, and any documents you need to bring — so the total amount you spend depends on which step you're at and whether you already have the documents the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires.

The license fee itself is fixed, but testing fees and document costs vary. If you're renewing instead of getting your first license, you pay only the license fee with no testing charges. If you're upgrading to a commercial license or adding endorsements (like motorcycle or hazmat), those cost extra.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Class C driver's license in Texas costs $16 and is valid for eight years.
  • The written test costs $10 and the road test costs $7, paid separately when you take each test.
  • You must bring documents like your birth certificate, proof of residency, and Social Security card — getting certified copies of these costs money if you don't already have them.
  • Commercial licenses, motorcycle endorsements, and hazmat endorsements each add their own fees on top of the base license cost.
  • Renewing your license costs only $16 with no test fees, but you may need to retake tests if your license was suspended or expired for more than two years.

Breaking down the test fees

Before you pay for your license, you pay for the tests. The written knowledge test costs $10 and is administered at any DPS office. You take it on a computer, and you get your score the same day. If you fail, you can retake it, but you pay the $10 fee each time.

The road test costs $7 and is also administered by DPS. You schedule an appointment at a DPS office, bring your own vehicle (or a vehicle registered to someone in your household), and a DPS examiner rides with you for about 20 to 30 minutes. Like the written test, you pay $7 each time you take it, whether you pass or fail.

Both tests must be passed before you can get your license. You can take the written test as many times as needed, but DPS limits how many times you can take the road test in a certain period — typically you can take it three times within a 12-month window before you have to wait.

Documents you need and what they cost

Texas requires you to bring specific documents to prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. The documents themselves are free if you already have them, but if you need to order certified copies, you'll pay for those. A certified copy of your birth certificate from the Texas Vital Statistics Unit costs $20 to $23 depending on how you order it (online, by mail, or in person). If you were born outside Texas, your state's vital records office charges its own fee.

For proof of residency, you can use a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement — documents you likely already have. If you don't have any of these, getting a new one (like ordering a bank statement) may cost nothing or a small fee depending on your bank or utility company.

You'll also need to show your Social Security card or a document that displays your number. If you've lost your card, the Social Security Administration replaces it free, but you have to request it in person at a local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov — there's no fee, but it takes time.

Commercial licenses and endorsements

If you want to drive a commercial vehicle, a Class A, B, or C commercial license costs more than a standard license. A commercial Class C license costs $61 instead of $16, and it's valid for four years instead of eight. You also pay additional test fees: the commercial written test costs $10 (same as the regular test), but the commercial road test costs $20 instead of $7.

Endorsements — like a motorcycle endorsement (M), hazmat endorsement (H), or passenger endorsement (P) — each add $10 to your license fee. If you want both a motorcycle endorsement and a hazmat endorsement on the same license, you pay $10 for each one, plus the base $16 license fee. Each endorsement may also require its own written test, which costs $10 per test.

Renewal costs and when you pay again

When you renew your Texas driver's license, you pay only the license fee — $16 for a standard Class C license valid for eight years. You don't retake the written or road test unless DPS requires it (for example, if your license was suspended or if you're renewing after it expired for more than two years). You can renew online, by mail, or in person, and the fee is the same no matter which method you choose.

If you renew online or by mail, you don't go to a DPS office, so you save time but still pay the $16 fee. If you renew in person, you pay the same $16 and may also pay for any documents you need to bring if you don't have them already.

Duplicate licenses and corrections

If you lose your license or need a replacement, a duplicate license costs $11 and is valid for the remainder of your current license period. You can get a duplicate in person at any DPS office. If you need to correct information on your license (like a name change or address), you typically don't pay an extra fee — you just bring proof of the change and your current license to a DPS office.

If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order along with your current license. DPS will issue a corrected license at no additional charge if your license is still valid; if it's expired, you pay the renewal fee ($16) instead of a correction fee.

Total cost estimate for a first-time driver

If you're getting your first Texas driver's license and you already have all your documents, here's what you'll spend: $10 for the written test, $7 for the road test, and $16 for the license itself — a total of $33. If you need to order a certified birth certificate, add $20 to $23. If you need to replace a lost Social Security card or get other documents, those costs vary.

If you fail either test and have to retake it, you pay the test fee again ($10 for the written test, $7 for the road test). Most people pass both tests on the first try, but budget for a retake if you're not confident. For a commercial license, expect to spend around $91 to $94 ($61 for the license, $10 for the written test, $20 for the road test) plus any document costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the license fee if I fail the road test?

No. You pay the $7 road test fee when you take the test, but you don't pay the $16 license fee until you pass both the written and road tests and are ready to get your license. If you fail the road test, you pay $7 to retake it, but the license fee stays $16 and is due only after you pass.

Can I pay for my license online or by phone?

You can't pay online or by phone in advance. You pay test fees in person at the DPS office when you take each test. You pay the license fee in person when you go to get your license after passing both tests. For renewals, you can pay online if you renew online, or by mail if you renew by mail.

What if I'm under 18 — do I pay a different amount?

The license fee is the same ($16), but your license expires sooner. An under-18 license is valid for four years instead of eight, so you'll renew more often. You still pay $10 for the written test and $7 for the road test, the same as adults.

Does Texas charge extra for a REAL ID compliant license?

No. All Texas driver's licenses issued now are REAL ID compliant at no extra charge. The $16 fee covers a standard REAL ID license. You don't pay more for REAL ID compliance.

What happens if my license expires and I need to renew it late?

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew it by mail or online for $16 with no tests. If it expired more than two years ago, you have to retake the written and road tests ($10 and $7) plus pay the $16 license fee, as if you were getting your first license.