How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driver’s License in Texas?

A standard Texas driver’s license costs $33 if you’re between 18 and 84, and that fee covers you for eight years. The full cost to get a driver’s license in Texas depends on your age, whether you need a motorcycle or commercial endorsement, and whether driver education is required for your age group. Most adult applicants pay the $33 base fee and nothing more; younger applicants and specialty license holders should budget for extras.

Standard Class C License Fees by Age

The Class C license covers ordinary passenger vehicles and is what most Texans apply for. The fee schedule tracks age:

Ages 18 to 84: $33, valid for eight years.
Ages 85 and older: $9, valid for two years.
Learner license (under 18): $16, valid until the applicant’s 18th birthday.

Each fee includes a $1 administrative charge baked into the total. That charge is waived for transactions handled by mail, so mail-in renewals run $1 less than in-person or online.¹

Motorcycle License Fees

Motorcycle pricing depends on whether you already hold a Texas license.

New Class M license (motorcycle only): $33.
Adding motorcycle to an existing driver’s license: $16, with no change to the expiration date.
New driver’s license with motorcycle added at the same time: $48.
Renewing a Class M license: $44.

If you hold a CDL, adding motorcycle authorization costs $15 for a new endorsement or $8 at renewal, on top of the CDL fee. Adding motorcycle to an existing CDL without renewing is $16.¹

Commercial Driver’s License Fees

Ages 18 to 84: $97 for a new CDL or renewal, valid for eight years.
Ages 85 and older: $26, valid for two years.
CDL with hazardous materials endorsement: $61, valid for five years.

The shorter validity on a hazmat CDL reflects a separate TSA background check required by federal law.¹

Replacement, Reinstatement, and Late Fees

A few charges only surface after the first application:

Replacement license (lost, stolen, damaged, or a name or address change): $11. Your expiration date does not reset.
Reinstatement after a departmental, safety responsibility, or education program suspension: $100.
Reinstatement after an administrative license revocation, typically tied to refusing or failing a chemical test during a DUI stop: $125.²

Driving on an expired license can bring a $200 fine. That citation is typically dismissed if you renew promptly, pay a $20 late fee, and show the court proof of renewal.

Driver Education Costs for Ages 18 to 24

Texas requires a six-hour adult driver education course for first-time applicants between 18 and 24. Applicants 25 and older can skip it entirely. Course prices vary by provider and are separate from the DPS license fee.³

Anyone taking the driving skills test, regardless of age, must first complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program. The ITD course is free and delivered online. The certificate expires after 90 days, so don’t finish it long before your road test appointment.⁴

Costs for Teen Applicants

The teen path costs less at the counter but more overall because of required education. A learner license costs $16 and is available at age 15, but only after completion of an approved driver education course. The learner license must be held for at least six months before a provisional license application.

To qualify for a provisional license at 16 or 17, the applicant must finish the behind-the-wheel portion of driver education: 7 hours of in-car observation, 7 hours of instructor-supervised driving, and 30 hours of practice driving with a licensed adult, at least 10 of them at night. Teens must also complete the Impact Texas Teen Driver (ITTD) program within 90 days of their driving test.⁵

Renewal Costs

Renewal is priced the same as a new license: $33 for ages 18 to 84 and $9 for 85 and older. DPS offers online renewal for eligible applicants, though not everyone qualifies, particularly if your photo is outdated or biometric data needs updating. Check the DPS online services portal before assuming you can skip the office visit.¹

REAL ID Adds Nothing to the Price

The gold-star REAL ID marking costs nothing beyond the normal license fee. If your current card doesn’t have the star, you’ll get one automatically at your next renewal, or you can pay $11 for a replacement card sooner.⁶

Accepted Payment Methods

DPS offices accept cash, personal checks, money orders, and major credit or debit cards. Online transactions typically require a card. Fill out checks and money orders correctly before you arrive, since errors can hold up processing.¹

1
Department of Public Safety. Driver License Fees
2
Department of Public Safety. Section 7 – Reinstatement Fees and Special Licenses
3
Department of Public Safety. Choosing a Driver Education Course
4
Department of Public Safety. Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program
5
Department of Public Safety. Texas Provisional License as a Teen
6
Texas.gov. Texas REAL ID