How Much Does the Permit Test Cost? Fees for All 50 States
Every fee below was verified on the official state agency website on June 7, 2026. Pick your state for the permit fee, what it covers, the retest policy, and a link to the official source.
Last updated:
What you are actually paying for
The permit fee is a licensing fee, not a test ticket. In most states one payment covers the application, the knowledge test (often with two or three attempts included), and the physical permit card. A handful of states price the pieces separately: you might pay a few dollars per knowledge test attempt plus an issuance fee when you pass. And a few states, like California and Delaware, charge one application fee that covers both your permit and the full license you graduate to.
There is no sales tax on government licensing fees anywhere in the country. What does show up on receipts are service charges: county offices in Florida add a tax collector service fee, Louisiana offices may add up to $6, and several states add small card or online convenience fees. The notes column flags every such charge the agency publishes.
Permit fee vs license fee: do not mix them up
Official fee charts list many credentials side by side, and the most common reading mistake is grabbing the driver’s license fee instead of the learner’s permit fee. Indiana is a good example: the permit is a flat $9 for everyone, while the full license costs $17.50 under age 75, $11 from 75 to 84, and $7 at 85 and over. Those age-based rows apply to the license you get after your permit, not to the permit or the written test. A few states genuinely do price the permit itself by age or class (New York, Montana, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, all noted in the table), but in most states the permit fee is one flat number.
Permit test cost in every state
Verified June 7, 2026 on each agency’s official site. Click any source to see the current official fee schedule.
| State | Permit / test fee | Retest | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41.25 total ($5 test fee + $36.25 license)The $5 testing fee covers the knowledge exam; the $36.25 fee is charged to purchase the learner license itself. | Not specified | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Document Requirements and Fees → |
| Alaska | $15Instruction permit issuance (commercial and non-commercial, classes IA, IB, IC, IE, IM, IP). No separate knowledge test fee is listed on the fee schedule. | Not specified | Alaska DMV, Fees for Driver Licensing → |
| Arizona | $7Non-travel Class G instruction permit issuance. No separate knowledge test fee is listed on the fee page. | Not specified | Arizona Department of Transportation MVD, Fees (Driver License) → |
| Arkansas | Prorated share of the Class D license fee (no flat amount published)Arkansas lists the learner's license fee as prorated; the permit expires 1 month past the licensee's 16th birthday. The full Class D license for ages 21 and over is $40 for 8 years, per the DFA Non-Commercial Information (NCL) fee table. | Not specified | Arkansas DFA, Learner's and Intermediate License → |
| California | $46The $46 Class C original application fee covers the instruction permit, knowledge testing, and the driver's license once you pass the drive test. | The fee page lists a $9 behind-the-wheel (driving) retest fee for Class C; no separate knowledge retest fee is listed. If the application expires you must reapply and pay the fee again. | California DMV, Licensing Fees → |
| Colorado | $19 (REAL ID) or $21.50 (standard)Instruction permit issuance, including motorcycle. The driving knowledge (written) test itself has no listed first-attempt fee at state offices. | $11.50 driving knowledge (written) retest fee (CRS 42-2-114(2)(e)); the driving skills (road test) retest is $15.40. | Colorado DMV, State DMV fees → |
| Connecticut | $59 total ($40 testing fee + $19 permit fee)The $40 testing fee covers the vision, knowledge, and road tests; the $19 fee is for the learner's permit card itself. | If you fail the vision or knowledge test, you must reschedule the tests online and pay the testing fees again. | Connecticut DMV, Get a DMV Learner's Permit for Adults → |
| Delaware | $40The $40 Class D license fee is paid at the time of the Level 1 Learner's Permit application and includes the cost of the learner's permit that precedes the 8-year license. | Not specified | Delaware DMV, Graduated Driver License (Drivers License/Identification Cards) → |
| Florida | $48Original Class E driver license fee, which includes the learner's license. | $10 knowledge retest, $20 skill retest | Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Fees → |
| Georgia | $10Class CP learner's permit valid for 2 years. The $10 permit fee is paid before the test begins. | If you fail any part of the test there is no refund, and the $10 permit fee must be paid again before every testing attempt. | Georgia Department of Driver Services, Fees and Terms → |
| Hawaii | $7 total in Honolulu County ($5 permit + $2 written test); varies by countyIn the City and County of Honolulu, the instruction permit costs $5 and the written test costs $2. The online permit test option is $12 (online fee plus written test fee). | Not specified | City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, Fee Table → |
| Idaho | $25 total ($20 instruction permit + $5 knowledge test)The $5 knowledge test fee is separate from the $20 Class D instruction permit issuance fee. | Not specified; each knowledge test costs $5. | Idaho Driver's Handbook (Idaho Transportation Department), fee schedule → |
| Illinois | $20Original Class D instruction permit. Knowledge testing is done as part of the application with no separately listed fee. | Not specified | Illinois Secretary of State, Driver's License Fees → |
| Indiana | $9Learner's permit (driver's or motorcycle) issuance, per the BMV fee chart revised 1/1/26. The knowledge exam itself has no separate fee. | Not specified | Indiana BMV Fee Chart → |
| Iowa | $6Class C instruction permit valid for 4 years. No separate knowledge test fee is listed. | Not specified | Iowa DOT, Driver's License Fees → |
| Kansas | $10 total ($2 issuance + $8 photo fee)Regular learner's permit issuance for all ages; the credential fee chart shows no separate test fee on the learner's permit line. | The fee chart lists a $1.50 fee for each reexam taken within 6 months of the last exam; if testing is not completed within 6 months, a $3.00 abandonment fee applies. | Kansas Department of Revenue, Driver's License Fee Chart → |
| Kentucky | $15 (standard) or $18 (REAL ID)Driver's permit credential, valid for 4 years. The cost of each permit version is the same regardless of the applicant's age at issuance. Written and vision tests are administered before you apply for the permit at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. | Not specified on the official pricing pages. | Kentucky Transportation Cabinet DRIVE, Under 21 (permit and license pricing) → |
| Louisiana | $32.25Basic license fee for the Class E learner's permit under the graduated licensing program. There is no additional cost to convert a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) to a learner's permit or a full license. | Not specified | Permits - Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles → |
| Maine | $35Class C permit examination (written test) fee. The driver's license itself is a separate fee when issued ($30 standard or $55 REAL ID for under age 65; $20 or $40 for age 65 and older). | Not specified | Drivers License and Examination Fees, Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles → |
| Maryland | $65Learner's Permit Non CDL Type I (GLS) for drivers with no previous license; the $65 includes conversion to the full license. Type II permit for currently or previously licensed drivers is $45. | Not specified | License & ID Fees, MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration → |
| Massachusetts | $30Learner's permit application fee, which covers the 25-question knowledge exam taken online or at an RMV Service Center. | Not specified | Apply for a passenger (Class D) learner's permit, Mass.gov RMV → |
| Michigan | $25Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) fee for adult applicants 18 and older; the knowledge test taken at a Secretary of State office is included. | Not specified | New drivers (18 and older), Michigan Secretary of State → |
| Minnesota | $29.50Class D instruction permit, valid for 2 years. Renewal of the instruction permit is $24.50. | First two knowledge test attempts carry no extra charge; the third and each subsequent knowledge test after failing the first two costs $10. | Driver's License Fees, Minnesota Department of Public Safety DVS → |
| Mississippi | $7Regular learner's permit, valid for 2 years. | Not specified | Driver Service Fees, Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau → |
| Missouri | $10Class F operator's instruction permit (minimum age 15). The official fee chart notes that applicable written and road test fees are not included in the listed amounts; the written test is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. | Not specified | Permit/Driver License/Nondriver ID Fees, Missouri Department of Revenue fee chart → |
| Montana | $5.67 to $62.32 by ageLearner license total including all admin costs; the fee is the same prorated schedule as a standard driver license. Examples: $36.57 at age 14.5 to 15, $31.42 at age 15, $26.27 at age 16, $21.12 at age 17, $15.97 at age 18, $62.32 for ages 21 to 63. | Not specified | Licensing Fees, Montana Motor Vehicle Division → |
| Nebraska | $13Original Learner's Permit (LPD): $8.00 permit fee plus $5.00 security fee. Vision and written tests are required and administered by the DMV. | Not specified | Learner's Permit (LPD), Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles → |
| Nevada | $22.50 plus $25 testing feeInstruction permit fee is $22.50 for applicants age 64 or under ($17.50 for 65 and over), and the initial knowledge and skills test fee is a separate $25. Completing the permit to get the license costs another $22.50 ($3.50 for 65 and over). | $10 for each retest | Driver License/ID Fees and Exemptions, Nevada DMV → |
| New Hampshire | No learner permit issuedNew Hampshire does not issue learner's permits. A person at least 15 and a half years old may practice driving when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or responsible licensed adult age 25 or older (RSA 263:25). The first license fee is $50 for a standard Operator ($60 REAL ID) or $10 per year up to a $50 maximum for a Youth Operator license, per RSA 263:42. | Not specified | Learning to Drive, New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles → |
| New Jersey | $10Examination permit (auto), $10 for both GDL applicants (valid 2 years) and non-GDL adult applicants (valid 90 days). The Student Learner's Permit issued through driving schools is also $10. | Not specified | License and Permit Fees, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission → |
| New Mexico | $10Instructional permit application fee (GDL Stage 1). The vision test and MVD knowledge exam are part of the permit application; the exam may also be given by an MVD contracted driver education school. | Not specified | Apply for a Learner's Permit, New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division → |
| New York | $64.25 to $107.50, varies by age and classThe total fee covers the permit application, the license type fee, document fees, and the MCTD fee where applicable, and it includes the eventual driver license after passing the road test. Class D/DJ ranges from $64.25 (21 and older, outside MCTD) to $102.50 (age 17 to 17.5 with MCTD); Class M/MJ runs up to $107.50 (age 17 to 17.5 with MCTD). | Not specified | Driver License and Learner Permit Fees and Refunds, New York DMV → |
| North Carolina | $25.50Learner permit fee, including the Level 1 Limited Learner's Permit for teens 15 to 17 and the learner permit for new drivers 18 and older. Raised from $21.50 to $25.50 in the 2024 quadrennial fee adjustment effective July 1, 2024. | Not specified | 2024 DMV Quadrennial Fee Adjustment, NCDOT (official fee schedule PDF) → |
| North Dakota | $15Learner's permit issuance fee. The knowledge test is a separate $5 per attempt, so the typical first-time total is $20, plus a $5 road test fee later. | $5 per knowledge test attempt, one attempt allowed per day | How to Apply for a Learner's Permit, North Dakota DOT → |
| Ohio | $26.50Temporary instruction permit (TIPIC) packet for an operator license, deputy registrar fee included; no separate knowledge test fee is listed on the BMV fee schedule | Not specified | Ohio BMV Documents & Fees → |
| Oklahoma | $42.50Fee to print and issue the learner permit after passing the written and vision tests | $4.00 added to the issuance fee for each failed written test, paid upon passing | Service Oklahoma: Apply for a Learner Permit → |
| Oregon | $30 (plus $7 knowledge test)Original Class C instruction permit issuance, valid 2 years; the Class C knowledge test is a separate $7 fee per attempt | $7 each time you take the knowledge test | Oregon DMV Driver Licensing & ID Card Fees → |
| Pennsylvania | $45.50Initial permit and four-year license combined fee; no separate knowledge test charge is listed | Not specified | PennDOT Payments and Fees → |
| Rhode Island | $8.50 (age 18 and older); $13.50 (under 18)Permit issuance; listed as Permit Instructional (age 18 and older) $8.50 and Permit Limited (under age 18) $13.50. Listed fees include a $3.50 technology surcharge | Not specified | RI DMV Permit Fees → |
| South Carolina | $2.50 (plus $2.00 knowledge test)$2.00 for the knowledge test and $2.50 for the beginner's permit after you pass | Not specified for the knowledge test; if you fail the skills test on your first attempt you must wait two days to re-test | SCDMV Beginner's Permit → |
| South Dakota | $28Instruction permit issuance; the Restricted Minor's Permit is also $28 | Not specified | South Dakota DPS Driver's License Fees → |
| Tennessee | $10.50 (under 18); $5.50 (18 and older)Class PD learner permit valid 1 year; listed fees include the applicable application fee (Table 2.4) | Not specified | Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Table 2.4 License Fees → |
| Texas | $16Learner license for applicants under 18, expires on the 18th birthday; the $1 administrative fee is included | Not specified | Texas DPS Driver License Fees → |
| Utah | $19.00Learner permit issuance; the same $19.00 fee applies to original, renewal, and replacement permits, for both adult (21 and over) and provisional (20 and under) applicants | Not specified | Utah Driver License Division Fees → |
| Vermont | $24.00 (plus $39.00 knowledge test)Learner's permit valid 2 years; the learner permit knowledge test is a separate $39.00 exam fee | You pay the $39.00 test fee each time you take the knowledge test; if you fail, you must wait at least one day before retaking it | Vermont DMV Driver's License Fees → |
| Virginia | $3 (plus the yearly cost of the driver's license)Combined learner's permit and driver's license application; the license portion is $4 per year with a $20 minimum ($32 for a standard 8-year license) | Not specified | Virginia DMV Fee Chart (DMV 201) → |
| Washington | $35Learner permit issuance, valid 1 year; the knowledge test is taken separately and testing fees vary by approved testing location | Not specified; fees for testing vary depending on where you take the test | WA DOL: Get your learner permit → |
| West Virginia | $7.50Level 1 GDL knowledge test fee, charged per attempt; the instruction permit is issued upon passing | $7.50 per knowledge test attempt | WV DMV Driver's Licenses and ID Cards → |
| Wisconsin | $35Class D instruction permit issuance, valid 18 months; the DMV fee table lists the knowledge test at $0, so there is no separate knowledge test fee | Not specified; the knowledge test is listed at $0 on the fee table | Wisconsin DMV fees → |
| Wyoming | $45New Class C license or permit fee; the written exam and vision screening are required at the time of application | Not specified | WYDOT Driver Services Frequently Asked Questions → |
Do not pay twice
In states that charge per attempt, failing the written test costs real money. A few free practice runs are the cheapest insurance there is.
Permit test cost FAQ
How much does the permit test cost on average?
Most states charge between $10 and $50 for a learner permit, and the written knowledge test is usually included in that fee. A few states charge separately per test attempt, and a few bundle the permit into the cost of your first full license. The exact amount for your state is in the table on this page, each verified on the official agency site.
Do I pay sales tax on DMV permit fees?
No. Government licensing fees are not subject to sales tax. What can add to the total are service charges: some states or counties add an office service fee, an online convenience fee, or a card processing fee, and we note those in the table where the agency publishes them.
Do I have to pay again if I fail the written test?
It depends on the state. Some include two or three attempts in the original fee, some charge a small retest fee for each new attempt, and some require the full fee again. Check the retest column for your state and confirm with your agency.
Is the practice test on this site really free?
Yes. Every practice test on dmvmocktest.com is free, with no account and no payment. The fees on this page are what your state agency charges for the official permit and knowledge test, not anything we charge.
Why does my receipt not match the fee listed here?
Fees change, and counties or service providers sometimes add local charges. Every row links to the official fee page we verified it on, so use that link for the current number before your visit, and treat this page as a planning guide.