Driver license fees vary by state and type of license, ranging from about $20 to $300 total
The cost to get a driver license depends on which state you live in, whether you are getting your first license or renewing one, and what class of license you need. Most states charge between $20 and $100 for a standard passenger vehicle license, but some charge significantly more. A few states charge under $30; others charge $200 or more. The fee you pay covers the license itself, the background check, and the processing of your process.
Your total cost also depends on whether you need to pay for a written test, a driving test, or both. Some states bundle these into the license fee; others charge separately. If you fail a test and retake it, you may pay an additional fee. Vision tests, fingerprinting, and document verification are usually included in the main fee, but a handful of states charge extra for these services.
Key Takeaways
- Standard passenger driver license fees range from roughly $20 to $200 depending on the state, with most states charging between $40 and $120.
- Written test and driving test fees are sometimes bundled into the license fee and sometimes charged separately; check your state's DMV website to know the total upfront.
- Replacement licenses, duplicate licenses, and license renewals each have their own fee schedules, which may differ from first-time license fees.
- Commercial driver licenses (CDL) and motorcycle endorsements cost significantly more than standard licenses, often $100 to $300 or higher depending on the state.
- Some states offer fee waivers or reductions for low-income residents, military members, or seniors; contact your state DMV to ask whether you may be may be able to access.
Standard passenger license fees by state
The following table shows the base fee for a standard Class D or Class C passenger driver license in each state. These are the fees charged for a first-time license or a renewal. Fees change periodically, so confirm the current amount on your state's DMV website before you visit.
| State | Base License Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| Alaska | $20 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| Arizona | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $20 |
| Arkansas | $22.50 | Includes vision test |
| California | $36 | First-time license; renewal is $38 |
| Colorado | $28.20 | First-time license; renewal is $31.20 |
| Connecticut | $126 | One of the highest; includes written and driving tests |
| Delaware | $30 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Florida | $87 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| Georgia | $32 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Hawaii | $60 | Includes written and driving tests |
| Idaho | $39.75 | First-time license; renewal is $35.75 |
| Illinois | $149 | One of the highest; includes written and driving tests |
| Indiana | $24 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| Iowa | $24 | First-time license; renewal is $20 |
| Kansas | $20 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| Kentucky | $38 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Louisiana | $35 | First-time license; renewal is $38 |
| Maine | $37 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Maryland | $109 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| Massachusetts | $100 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| Michigan | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $30 |
| Minnesota | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| Mississippi | $24 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| Missouri | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| Montana | $55 | Includes written and driving tests |
| Nebraska | $39 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Nevada | $60 | First-time license; renewal is $55 |
| New Hampshire | $119 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| New Jersey | $144 | One of the highest; includes written and driving tests |
| New Mexico | $25 | First-time license; renewal is $30 |
| New York | $164.50 | One of the highest; includes written and driving tests |
| North Carolina | $20 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| North Dakota | $20 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| Ohio | $27.50 | First-time license; renewal is $32.50 |
| Oklahoma | $38 | First-time license; renewal is $40 |
| Oregon | $60 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| Pennsylvania | $38.25 | First-time license; renewal is $42.25 |
| Rhode Island | $65 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| South Carolina | $24 | First-time license; renewal is $28 |
| South Dakota | $24.50 | First-time license; renewal is $28.50 |
| Tennessee | $27.50 | First-time license; renewal is $32.50 |
| Texas | $45 | First-time license; renewal is $48 |
| Utah | $33 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Vermont | $70 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| Virginia | $38 | First-time license; renewal is $40 |
| Washington | $72 | Includes written and driving tests for first-time |
| West Virginia | $20 | One of the lowest in the nation |
| Wisconsin | $28 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
| Wyoming | $30 | First-time license; renewal is $35 |
The fees shown above are current as of 2024, but states update their fee schedules regularly. Before you go to the DMV, visit your state's official DMV website and search for "driver license fee" to confirm the exact amount you will need to pay.
Written test and driving test fees
Some states include the written test and driving test in the base license fee. Others charge separately for each test, or charge a single combined fee for both tests. If you fail a test and must retake it, you typically pay the test fee again.
States that charge separately for tests usually charge $5 to $25 per test. For example, Texas charges $10 for the written test and $10 for the driving test if you take them separately from the license fee. California charges $15 for the written test and $20 for the driving test. Some states, like Florida and Illinois, bundle the tests into the license fee, so you do not pay extra if you pass on the first attempt.
If you are retaking a test after failing, ask the DMV whether you pay the full test fee again or a reduced retest fee. Many states charge less for a retest than for the initial test.
Commercial driver license and motorcycle endorsement costs
A commercial driver license (CDL) costs significantly more than a standard passenger license. Most states charge between $100 and $300 for a CDL, depending on the class and whether you need hazmat endorsement. A CDL Class A (tractor-trailer) typically costs more than a Class B (straight truck) or Class C (passenger vehicle for hire).
A motorcycle endorsement added to an existing license costs less than a full CDL but more than a standard license renewal. Most states charge $15 to $50 to add a motorcycle endorsement. If you are getting a motorcycle license as your first license (rather than an endorsement), the fee is usually the same as a standard passenger license plus the endorsement fee.
Some states require a separate motorcycle safety course before you can take the riding test. The course itself is not a DMV fee, but a private or community college fee, and costs between $100 and $300 depending on the provider and location.
Replacement, duplicate, and renewal license fees
A replacement license (issued when your license is lost, stolen, or damaged) usually costs less than a first-time license. Most states charge $10 to $30 for a replacement. A duplicate license (an extra copy of your current valid license) costs even less, typically $5 to $15.
A renewal license (issued when your current license expires) costs the same or slightly less than a first-time license in most states. Renewal fees range from $15 to $150 depending on the state. Some states charge the same fee for renewal as for a first-time license; others charge less because you do not have to retake the written or driving test.
If you renew your license before it expires, you may be able to renew by mail or online in some states, which can reduce the fee slightly. Check your state's DMV website to see whether early renewal is an option and whether it saves you money.
Fee waivers and discounts for low-income, military, and senior residents
Some states offer reduced or waived driver license fees for people who meet certain criteria. The most common groups are low-income residents, active-duty military members, veterans, and seniors over a certain age (usually 65 or older).
To find out whether you may be may be able to access for a fee waiver or discount, contact your state's DMV directly or visit the DMV website and search for "fee waiver" or "fee reduction." You will usually need to provide proof of income, military status, or age. The process and documentation required vary by state, so ask the DMV what you need to bring.
Some states also offer fee reductions for people with disabilities. A few states waive the fee entirely for certain groups, but most offer a partial reduction rather than a full waiver.
Payment methods and where to pay
Most DMV offices accept cash, debit cards, and credit cards. Some accept checks. A few states allow you to pay online if you renew your license by mail or through their online portal. Call your local DMV office before you visit to confirm which payment methods they accept, because not all offices accept all methods.
If you are renewing by mail, you will typically include a check or money order with your process. If you are renewing online, you will pay by debit or credit card. If you are visiting the DMV in person, bring the exact amount or be prepared to receive change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the full license fee if I fail the written test?
It depends on your state. If your state bundles the written test into the license fee, you do not pay extra to retake it. If your state charges separately for the test, you pay the test fee again when you retake it. Some states charge a lower retest fee than the initial test fee. Check your state's DMV website or call your local office to confirm.
Can I pay my driver license fee online?
You can pay online if you are renewing your license through your state's online renewal portal. Not all states offer online renewal, and not all license types can be renewed online. First-time licenses almost always require an in-person visit to the DMV, where you will pay in