You are probably aware of how long it takes to ace a driver’s test. Firstly, a driver’s training, followed by sending in an application, and finally, the license arriving at your doorstep in two to three days. However, the number of hours you must put in varies with each state. Similarly, the amount required to take the driver’s test varies with each state. Here we look at how much is it to take the driver’s test.
The federal government does not give out driver’s licenses in the United States. Instead, each state, territory, and the District of Columbia do so. Drivers usually have to get a license from the state where they live. The appearance of every driver’s license is unique to that state. However, all the states will let you use a license from another state if you are not a resident.
How to request a driver’s license in the USA?
A driver’s license can be an identification document required while applying for insurance or credit. If you are a permanent resident of the state, then you can apply for a driver’s license. The respective state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses.
Expired License? How long can you drive with one?
How much does it cost to take the driver’s test?
The amount required to receive a driver’s license might vary substantially from one jurisdiction to the other. For instance, it costs ten dollars in Missouri and eighty-nine dollars in Washington. In certain states, the cost of renewing a license differs from other fees. In addition, licenses become invalid after a specified period, which might also change according to the state that issued them.
However, the license fee is inclusive of the test fee. Here we break down the driver’s test fee for different states. Some states have the fees for the driver’s test included in the driver’s license fee.
For example, in states like Utah and North Carolina, the driver’s test cost is included in the license fee. Meanwhile, in states like Minnesota and Nevada, there are only fees for a retest. Looking at the driver’s test cost of different states, we observe that the average cost is $40.
Cost for driver’s test in each state
| State | Driver’s Test Cost |
| Alabama
|
Class B- $5 |
| Alaska
|
Class D- $15 |
| Arizona
|
NA |
| Arkansas
|
No test fees.
Retest Fee- $10 |
| California
|
Fee after 3 failed attempts- $33 |
| Colorado
|
Retest Fee-
$11.15 for written exam $15 for a driving skill test |
| Connecticut
|
$40 |
| Delaware
|
NA |
| Florida
|
Retest for
$10 $20 |
| Georgia
|
$10 |
| Hawaii
|
$8 for road test
$2 for written test |
| Idaho
|
Class D
$24 for the skills test $3 for the knowledge test |
| Illinois
|
Class C
NA
|
| Indiana
|
Free |
| Iowa
|
Free |
| Kansas
|
$3 exam fee |
| Kentucky
|
NA |
| Louisiana
|
NA |
| Maine
|
$10 for written test
$5 for reexamination |
| Maryland
|
NA |
| Massachusetts
|
$35 for road test |
| Michigan
|
The cost for road tests varies with location.
Knowledge retest- $10 Skills retest- $20 |
| Minnesota
|
No initial test fees
Retest fee- $10 Road Retest – $20 |
| Mississippi
|
N/A |
| Missouri
|
N/A |
| Montana
|
N/A |
| Nebraska
|
N/A |
| Nevada
|
Skills and Knowledge test-$26
Retest- $11
|
| New Hampshire
|
N/A |
| New Jersey
|
N/A |
| New Mexico
|
N/A |
| New York
|
$10 |
| North Carolina
|
Included in the learner’s permit fee |
| North Dakota
|
Written test- $5
Road Test- $5 |
| Ohio
|
No Fees |
| Oklahoma
|
Application fee- $4
Written retest -$4 |
| Oregon
|
Driver’s Test-$9
Knowledge Test-$5 |
| Pennsylvania
|
Free |
| Rhode Island
|
$26.50 |
| South Carolina
|
Knowledge Test- $2
|
| South Dakota
|
N/A |
| Tennessee
|
Free |
| Texas
|
N/A |
| Utah
|
Included in the license fee |
| Vermont
|
Road Test- $19
Knowledge Test- $32 |
| Virginia
|
Included
Retest Fee-$2 |
| Washington, DC.
|
Vary by location |
| West Virginia
|
N/A |
| Wisconsin
|
Skills Test-$15 |
| Wyoming
|
N/A |
Which are the states that have the highest license cost?
Ten states have the highest license cost.
- Montana-$40.50
- Nevada-$42.50
- Florida-$48
- New Hampshire- $50
- Massachusetts- $50
- Oregon- $60
- New York- $64.25
- Maryland-$72
- Connecticut-$72
- Washington-$89
How Long Does it Take to Get a Driver’s License?
How to get a new driver’s license in the USA
Here are the general steps to obtaining a new driver’s license in the US.
- Get the learner’s permit
- Provide proof of residency and identity.
- Pay the learner’s testing and permit fee.
- Take the vision and written test.
- Receive your issued permit.
- Take the driver’s education course.
- Practice driving
- Study the handbook.
- Schedule a driver’s test appointment.
- Complete the application
- Make the payment
- Take the written and driving test.
- Wait for your results.
Do I need car insurance to take the driver’s test?
Yes, your car must be insured to take the driver’s test. However, if you’re still living at home and using a parent’s car for your driving test, you’ll be insured by their coverage.
In addition, it must be noted that you must be added to your parent’s coverage after passing the test. Therefore, if you borrow a car from a friend or relative, you need not have a personal car insurance policy; instead, you will be covered under their policy.
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