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DMV Texas · Fees, age, and practice test

Texas Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts

Sourced procedural facts for Texas DMV, plus a free 180-question practice test with real sign images and audio.

State
Texas
Questions
180
Practice test
Free

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How much does the Texas permit test cost?

No separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and card

  • Learner permit / application fee: Learner license (under 18), new: $16 (expires on your 18th birthday)
  • Knowledge (written) test fee: No separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and card
  • Initial driver license fee: Driver license, new: $16 if under 18 (expires on your 18th birthday); $33 for age 18 to 84 (expires after eight years)

Source: Texas DPS - Driver License Division · Last verified 2026-07-06. Our 180-question Texas practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.

Quick facts

Minimum permit age

15 years old, after starting an approved driver education course

Knowledge test fee

No separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and card

Permit fee

Learner license (under 18), new: $16 (expires on your 18th birthday)

Initial license fee

Driver license, new: $16 if under 18 (expires on your 18th birthday); $33 for age 18 to 84 (expires after eight years)

Passing score

You must score a grade of 70 percent or better to pass any knowledge exam

Retake fee

No charge for retakes within the application; after 90 days or three failed exams, a new application and fee are required

Supervised driving before road test

Must hold learner license 6 months and complete required behind-the-wheel practice via driver ed; DPS does not itemize a specific hour count outside the course

Documents to bring

Completed application, proof of citizenship/lawful presence, TX residency, identity, Social Security number, driver ed certificate, Impact Texas Driver certificate for road test

Find an office / appointment

Texas DPS provides a Driver License Office Locations search tool and Appointments page; all driver license/ID services are by appointment only via txdpsscheduler.com, though walk-ins can use an in-office kiosk to book same-day slots if available.

REAL ID status

REAL ID available; Texas began issuing REAL ID compliant cards (star in upper right) Oct 10, 2016. A DPS 'REAL ID Document Check' tool helps applicants prepare. Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025.

Motorcycle license

Endorsement at 15 (250cc or less restriction until 16, removed after skills test); requires TDLR-approved rider course completion certificate.

Commercial license (CDL)

Commercial Learner's Permit must be held 14 days before the skills exam.

Official source: Texas DPS - Driver License Division

Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) for licenses + Texas DMV for vehicle registration site.

How much is the Texas permit test?

Texas knowledge test fee: No separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and card (official source). Permit fee: Learner license (under 18), new: $16 (expires on your 18th birthday) (official source).

Texas DMV fees at a glance

FeeOfficial figureSource
Knowledge test feeNo separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and cardsource
Permit feeLearner license (under 18), new: $16 (expires on your 18th birthday)source
Initial license feeDriver license, new: $16 if under 18 (expires on your 18th birthday); $33 for age 18 to 84 (expires after eight years)source
Retake feeNo charge for retakes within the application; after 90 days or three failed exams, a new application and fee are requiredsource

Studying for it? Take the free Texas DMV practice test (180 questions, instant explanations, no signup).

What a Texas driver license covers

TEXASDRIVER LICENSEDL NO.S0000000NAMESAMPLE, ALEX JADDRESS123 MAIN ST, ANYTOWNDOB01/01/1990CLASSCSEXXEXP01/01/2032Illustrative sample only. Real Texas card designs differ.SAMPLE

Initial license fee: Driver license, new: $16 if under 18 (expires on your 18th birthday); $33 for age 18 to 84 (expires after eight years) (official source)

REAL ID status: REAL ID available; Texas began issuing REAL ID compliant cards (star in upper right) Oct 10, 2016. A DPS 'REAL ID Document Check' tool helps applicants prepare. Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025. (official source)

See a real Texas license sample on the official DMV site (Texas DPS - Driver License Division) →

The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Texas DMV site for exact card timelines.

Getting a license in Texas

Getting your first permit

In Texas, the minimum permit age is 15 years old, after starting an approved driver education course. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: completed application, proof of citizenship/lawful presence, TX residency, identity, Social Security number, driver ed certificate, Impact Texas Driver certificate for road test. Texas DPS provides a Driver License Office Locations search tool and Appointments page; all driver license/ID services are by appointment only via txdpsscheduler.com, though walk-ins can use an in-office kiosk to book same-day slots if available.

Fees, retakes, and practice hours

No separate test fee stated; learner license fee ($16 for under 18) covers application, knowledge test, and card. Before the road test, the state requires must hold learner license 6 months and complete required behind-the-wheel practice via driver ed; DPS does not itemize a specific hour count outside the course.

REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL

REAL ID available; Texas began issuing REAL ID compliant cards (star in upper right) Oct 10, 2016. A DPS 'REAL ID Document Check' tool helps applicants prepare. Federal enforcement date May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: endorsement at 15 (250cc or less restriction until 16, removed after skills test); requires TDLR-approved rider course completion certificate. For a commercial license (CDL): commercial Learner's Permit must be held 14 days before the skills exam.

The Texas bank has 180 questions across 9 topics

Road signs
53 questions
Safe driving
36 questions
Signals and markings
31 questions
Emergencies
25 questions
Laws and paperwork
11 questions
Right of way
11 questions
Alcohol and DUI
5 questions
Speed limits
5 questions
Parking
3 questions

QualitySpace is expanding to Texas

We are a California-based independent insurance brokerage working on licensing in more states. We cannot help with Texas insurance yet. Leave your email and we will let you know when we can.

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