Ohio driver's license fees by license type and duration

Ohio charges different fees depending on the type of license you get and how long you want it to last. A standard four-year license costs $28.50. If you want an eight-year license, you pay $57. Both prices are for a regular operator's license — the most common type.

If you are under 21, your license is valid for four years only, and the cost is the same: $28.50. Ohio does not offer an eight-year option for drivers under 21. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) fees are higher and depend on the endorsements you add; a basic CDL starts at $65 for four years or $130 for eight years.

These fees cover the license itself. You will also pay a separate fee to take the written test ($10) and the road test ($15) if you are a new driver. If you are renewing and do not need to test, you only pay the license fee.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard four-year Ohio driver's license costs $28.50; an eight-year license costs $57.
  • Drivers under 21 can only get a four-year license, which costs $28.50.
  • New drivers must also pay $10 for the written test and $15 for the road test, on top of the license fee.
  • Commercial Driver's License fees start at $65 for four years or $130 for eight years, depending on endorsements.
  • You can renew your license by mail, online, or in person; mail and online renewals cost the same as in-person.

What the written and road tests cost

If you are getting your first Ohio license or your license has been expired for more than two years, you must pass both a written test and a road test. The written test costs $10 and covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You take it at any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office.

The road test costs $15 and is administered by an examiner at a BMV office. You must bring your own vehicle, and it must be registered and insured. If you fail either test, you pay the fee again to retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can test, but you pay $10 or $15 each time.

If you are renewing a license that is still valid or expired less than two years, you do not take either test and do not pay these fees. You only pay the renewal fee.

Renewal fees and how to renew

Renewing your Ohio license costs the same as getting a new one: $28.50 for four years or $57 for eight years. You can renew in three ways — by mail, online, or in person at a BMV office — and the fee is the same regardless of method.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and you do not need to update your address or photo. The fee is $28.50 or $57, depending on the term you choose. You pay by debit card or credit card.

Mail renewal takes longer but costs the same. You send your current license, the renewal form (available on the Ohio BMV website), and a check or money order to the BMV. Processing takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a BMV office is when ready; you pay at the counter and receive your license the same day if you are renewing without a new photo.

ID card fees if you do not drive

Ohio offers a state ID card for people who do not have a driver's license. An ID card costs $19.50 for four years or $39 for eight years. Like a driver's license, it is issued by the BMV and serves as proof of identity and age.

You need an ID card if you want a state-issued photo ID but do not plan to drive. The process process is similar to a driver's license: you bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number to a BMV office. You do not take a written or road test.

Duplicate and replacement license fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a duplicate at any BMV office. A duplicate license costs $10 and is issued the same day. You do not need to retake any tests.

You must bring proof of identity and proof of residency. If your license was stolen, you can report it to the BMV at the time you request the duplicate. A duplicate is a physical replacement of your current license; it has the same expiration date as your original.

Fees for license corrections and updates

If you need to correct information on your license — such as your name, address, or date of birth — the fee depends on what changed. A name change due to marriage, divorce, or court order requires a new license, which costs $28.50 for four years or $57 for eight years. You must bring the legal document proving the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

An address change does not require a new license if your license is still valid. You can update your address online for free through the Ohio BMV website, or you can do it in person at a BMV office at no charge. If you need a physical replacement license with your new address, you pay the duplicate fee of $10.

Payment methods and where to pay

Ohio BMV offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you renew by mail, you must send a check or money order; the BMV does not accept cash by mail. If you renew online, you must use a debit card or credit card.

You can pay in person at any of Ohio's 43 BMV offices during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though some have extended hours. You can find your nearest office and check its hours on the Ohio BMV website. Payment is due at the time you submit your process or renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a license for less than four years in Ohio?

No. Ohio's minimum license term is four years. You can choose four years ($28.50) or eight years ($57), but you cannot get a shorter license. If you are under 21, your only option is four years.

Do I have to pay the test fees if I already have a valid license from another state?

No. If you are moving to Ohio and have a valid driver's license from another state, you can exchange it for an Ohio license without taking the written or road test. You pay only the license fee ($28.50 or $57). Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Ohio, and proof of your Social Security number to a BMV office.

What happens if I fail the road test — do I have to pay again?

Yes. Each time you take the road test, you pay $15. There is no limit to how many times you can test. Some people take it multiple times before passing. You can schedule another test as soon as you are ready.

Is there a fee to change my address on my license?

No. You can update your address for free online through the Ohio BMV website or in person at a BMV office. If you want a physical replacement license showing your new address, you pay $10 for a duplicate.

Do I have to renew in person, or can I do it by mail or online?

You can renew by mail, online, or in person, and the fee is the same ($28.50 or $57). Online renewal is fastest if you are may be able to access. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal is when ready.