Which state has the cheapest driver's license?

North Dakota has the lowest original driver's license fee at $15, and the license is valid for 6 years.

Which state has the most expensive driver's license?

Washington has the highest original driver's license fee at $89, with the license valid for 6 years.

Do driver's license fees include the road test?

Most states include a basic knowledge test and road test in the original license fee. A few states charge separate fees for retakes or skills tests. Check the state-specific page for the exact breakdown.

How often do I need to renew my driver's license?

Most states require renewal every 4 to 8 years. The renewal cycle varies by state and by age. See the license validity column in the table above, or visit your state's page for full renewal rules.

Driver's License Fees by State

Compare driver's license fees across all 50 states. The table below shows original license, learner's permit, and renewal costs, ranked from cheapest to most expensive. Click any state to see the full fee breakdown.

Fees verified April 2026 against each state's official DMV fee page. Each state row links to the state's fee detail page, which cites the specific government source.

Cheapest state

North Dakota

$15 original license

Most expensive state

Washington

$89 original license

States ranked

All 50 states covered

Rank	State	License fee	Permit fee	Renewal fee	Valid (yrs)
1	North Dakota	$15	$15	$15	6
2	Indiana	$17.5	$9	$17.5	6
3	Alaska	$20	$15	$20	5
4	Kansas	$23	$2	$26	6
5	Mississippi	$24	$7	$24	4
6	New Jersey	$24	$10	$24	4
7	Arizona	$25	$7	$25	12
8	Michigan	$25	$25	$18	4
9	South Carolina	$25	$2.5	$25	8
10	South Dakota	$28	$28	$28	5
11	Tennessee	$28	$10.5	$28	8
12	Nebraska	$28.5	$14.5	$28.5	5
13	Illinois	$30	$20	$30	4
14	Maine	$30	$10	$30	6
15	Colorado	$32	$19	$32	5
16	Georgia	$32	$10	$32	8
17	Iowa	$32	$6	$32	8
18	Virginia	$32	$3	$32	8
19	Louisiana	$32.25	$32.25	$32.25	6
20	Missouri	$33	$10	$33	6
21	Texas	$33	$16	$33	8
22	New Mexico	$34	$10	$34	8
23	Wisconsin	$34	$35	$34	8
24	Alabama	$36.25	$36.25	$36.25	4
25	Rhode Island	$39.5	$39.5	$62.5	5
26	Arkansas	$40	$40	$40	8
27	Delaware	$40	$40	$40	8
28	Hawaii	$40	$5	$40	8
29	West Virginia	$40	$7.5	$20	8
30	Montana	$40.5	$14.5	$40.5	8
31	Nevada	$42.25	$22.25	$42.25	8
32	Oklahoma	$42.5	$42.5	$38.5	4
33	Kentucky	$43	$15	$43	8
34	Wyoming	$45	$20	$35	4
35	Pennsylvania	$45.5	$35.5	$39.5	4
36	California	$46	$46	$46	5
37	Minnesota	$46	$36.25	$35	4
38	Florida	$48	$48	$48	8
39	Massachusetts	$50	$30	$50	5
40	New Hampshire	$50	$0	$50	5
41	Ohio	$50	$25.75	$50	8
42	Vermont	$51	$20	$51	4
43	North Carolina	$52	$25.5	$52	8
44	Utah	$52	$19	$52	8
45	Idaho	$60	$29	$60	8
46	Oregon	$64	$26	$64	8
47	New York	$64.5	$64.5	$64.5	8
48	Maryland	$72	$50	$48	8
49	Connecticut	$84	$19	$72	8
50	Washington	$89	$25	$54	6

Fees reflect the standard original Class D (passenger) driver's license. State-specific surcharges, REAL ID upgrades, and age-based fees may apply. Confirm current fees with the state DMV before visiting.

What to know before you pay

The fees in the table cover the standard original Class D (passenger) license. Commercial, motorcycle, and REAL ID transactions often cost more. Check the state-specific page for the full fee schedule.
License validity ranges from 4 to 8 years in most states. A higher fee often buys a longer valid period, so compare the annualized cost, not just the upfront price.
Some states tie the license fee to age. Drivers under 21 may pay less because the license is issued for a shorter period. Confirm your bracket with the DMV before visiting.
Payment methods vary by state and office. Some DMVs accept only cash or check, and some add a surcharge for card payments. State pages list accepted payment methods per DMV.

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