How Much Is a Driver's License in Massachusetts? 2026 RMV Fees
How much does it cost to get a driver's license in Massachusetts?
A new Massachusetts driver who passes both tests on the first try pays $115 (U.S. dollars) in RMV fees: $30 for the learner's permit application, $35 for the road test and $50 for a 5-year Class D license. The RMV fees page also lists a $30 permit exam fee, so confirm the permit fees with the RMV. A permit exam retake costs $30, and a road test retake costs $35. Converting an out-of-state Class D license costs $115. License fees are non-refundable.
Where these Massachusetts fees come from
The prices come from the Massachusetts RMV fees page, the RMV page to schedule your road test and the RMV page to transfer an out-of-state license. The RMV Schedule of Fees, the Class D learner's permit page, the Class D road tests page and the First Time Driver guide add the details. The fees page is current as of its last update in May 2025, and the RMV can change any fee at any time. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Massachusetts RMV (mass.gov/rmv) before you drive.
Massachusetts Class D fees at the Registry of Motor Vehicles
| Step | Fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's permit application | $30 | A Class D learner's permit, valid for 2 years or the length of your stay in the U.S. |
| Learner's permit exam retake | $30 each | Another try after a failed permit exam |
| Road test | $35 each | One road test |
| Class D driver's license | $50 | A license for 5 years, REAL ID or standard |
| Out-of-state Class D conversion | $115 | A Massachusetts Class D license for a driver who has one from another state |
What does a new driver pay in total?
If you pass both tests on the first try, the RMV fees add up to $115: $30 for the permit application + $35 for the road test + $50 for the license. RMV pages differ on the permit step: the RMV fees page also lists a $30 "Learner's permit exam" fee, but the Class D permit page and the Schedule of Fees show one $30 fee. Be ready to pay a second $30 for the first permit exam, and confirm the permit fees with the RMV before your appointment. Each failed permit exam adds $30, and each failed road test adds $35. Your permit stays valid for 2 years, as the question on how long a Massachusetts permit is valid shows. If it expires, you must reapply and retake the exam. The RMV does not issue your license until all fees are paid.
What does a retake cost?
Each learner's permit exam costs $30. To pass, you must answer 18 of the 25 questions correctly in 25 minutes, as the question on the passing score shows. After a failed online exam, pay the fee again in your RMV online account with a debit card, a credit card or a bank account. After a failed exam at a Service Center, make a new appointment.
The road test costs $35 each time. After a failed road test, you must wait 2 weeks before another test. You can attempt no more than 6 Class D road tests in 12 months. The Massachusetts road test guide has the steps.
When the road test fee is not refunded
- You fail the test.
- You are unprepared.
- You do not have a registered vehicle.
- You do not bring a qualified sponsor.
- You are late or do not appear.
- You cancel or reschedule with less than 72 hours notice.
When you pay nothing for a road test
- The RMV cancels your test because of weather. It may reschedule the test free of charge.
- Your vehicle does not let the examiner reach the parking brake for an emergency stop. The vehicle cannot be used, and you are not charged.
Does a REAL ID cost more than a standard license?
No. A REAL ID or a standard Class D license costs $50. A REAL ID has a star in the top right corner; a standard license does not. If you are 18 or older, you need a REAL ID (or another ID that the TSA accepts) to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. For either license, you must prove lawful presence and a valid stay of at least 12 months in the U.S.
What does it cost to transfer a license from another state?
Converting an out-of-state Class D license to a Massachusetts license costs $115. A combined Class D and M conversion costs $130. You cannot transfer your license online: make a reservation and go to an RMV Service Center. You may choose a REAL ID when you transfer. The guide to moving to Massachusetts with a license lists what to bring.
How you can pay
| Where you pay | Payment methods |
|---|---|
| At an RMV Service Center | Cash, check, money order, credit card or debit card. Methods vary by location, so check the site you will visit. |
| Online, for the road test and license fees | Pay before or after the road test. Then you do not have to visit a Service Center to pay. |
| Online, for a permit exam retake | Debit card, credit card or bank account |
Fees that depend on your age or your stay
Key takeaways
- A new Class D driver pays $30 for the permit, $35 for the road test and $50 for a 5-year license: $115 in RMV fees.
- A permit exam retake costs $30. A road test costs $35 each time, and the fee is not refunded if you fail, are unprepared, are late or cancel with less than 72 hours notice.
- A REAL ID costs the same as a standard license ($50). Converting an out-of-state Class D license costs $115.
- Disabled veterans who have, or qualify for, Disabled Veteran plates pay no fees for driver's license transactions.
- Next step: practice on the free Massachusetts Class D learner's permit practice test before you pay for your permit exam.
Massachusetts driver's license cost: common questions
Are Massachusetts license fees refundable?
No. The RMV says all license fees are non-refundable, and it can change any fee at any time. For the $35 road test, you also lose the fee if you fail, do not appear or cancel with less than 72 hours notice. A test that the RMV cancels because of weather can be rescheduled free of charge.
How much does it cost to replace a lost Massachusetts driver's license?
A duplicate (replacement) license costs $25 at the Massachusetts RMV. An amended license, for example with changes to your details, also costs $25. A duplicate learner's permit costs $15. A veteran who adds the Veteran's Indicator to the license pays no fee for the duplicate.
Do disabled veterans pay for a Massachusetts license?
Not for driver's license transactions if they have Disabled Veteran plates or qualify for them. The RMV Schedule of Fees also says there is no license fee (issue, renewal or duplicate) for a veteran rated 100% disabled by the United States Veteran's Agency.
What happens if I do not pay the license fee right after the road test?
If you do not prepay online, you have 60 calendar days after you pass to apply for a license at an RMV Service Center. After that, you must take and pass a new road test at your own cost, and pay the $35 road test fee again.
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