Are you planning to get a Texas driver's license? If so, you might be excited to learn that the state does not charge a fee to take a driving test. However, that doesn't mean you can get your license for free.
If you're getting your driver's license in Texas for the first time, you can expect to spend between $83 to $164 throughout the process. Wondering where these costs come from? Here's a look at the details.
The Cost of Getting a License in Texas
The total cost of obtaining a driver's license in Texas depends on your age and whether you've held a license in the past. Younger drivers will have to pay for a learner's permit and mandatory driver's education courses. Adults must attend a state-approved driving school.
Driver's Education
Before you can get your permit, you need to take the classroom portion of driver's ed.
Minors have the option of taking school-offered driver’s ed, parent-taught driver’s ed (PTDE), or an approved teen driver-training school. Adults who have never held a driver's license are required to go through an approved driving school before taking the Texas license exam.
The cost for driver’s education courses in Texas varies, but it is generally affordable. Courses for teens cost anywhere from $59 to $300 and driver's ed courses for adults range between $29 and $130.
Learner's Permit
Drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 who have never held a license must obtain a Texas learner's permit. It costs $16 to get one. The $16 fee includes the cost of the permit test, along with the vision exam and knowledge exam.
This permit allows the learner to practice driving under direct supervision from a licensed driver. It expires when the learner driver turns 18 years old.
License Fees
The final step in getting your license is taking the driving test. Rather than charging a fee for the driving test itself, you'll have to pay the $33 license fee upfront, before taking your driving test.
If you don't pass your driving test on the first try, your fee will cover two more attempts within a 90-day period. If you are unable to pass your Texas driving test within three total attempts over a 90-day period, you will be charged another $33 fee for the second round of attempts.
Because the fee covers the cost of the license, and not just the driving test, licensed drivers moving to Texas from another state will still be required to pay the full $33 fee to exchange their out-of-state license for their new Texas driver’s license.
The Texas driver's license is good for eight years and expires on your birthday. You must pay the full $33 fee each time you renew your driver's license.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Texas Driver's License Today
Getting a driver's license in Texas is a simple, budget-friendly process. Now that you understand the average costs from obtaining a learner’s permit to getting your final license, you're ready to take the next step.
DriversEd.com offers affordable teen and adult driver's education courses to help you ace your driver's test and have fun doing it. Sign up now and get started at your own pace today.
Updated 5/14/24