Driving Tests

How Much Is a Tennessee Learner Permit and Driver's License? 2026 Fees

informational·how to guide·Published May 25, 2026

How much is a Tennessee learner permit and driver's license?

In Tennessee, a learner permit costs $10.50 under 18 or $5.50 at 18 and older, each for 1 year. The intermediate restricted license costs $24.50, and the intermediate unrestricted license costs $2.00. A Class D license costs $28.00 for 8 years. These are the fees of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS). County clerk partners add $4.00.

Where these fees come from

The fees come from the TDOSHS driver license fees page. The retest, renewal, late fee and duplicate rules come from the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (text current as of July 1, 2022). Where the manual shows an older fee, this post uses the newer fee page. Kiosk and county clerk services come from the TDOSHS locations page, and the REAL ID cost and teen license steps from the TDOSHS REAL ID and teen driver pages. All amounts are in U.S. dollars. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (tn.gov/safety) before you drive.

Tennessee license fees at a glance (2026)

Tennessee license fees at a glance (2026)
License or step	Total fee	How long it lasts
Learner permit, under 18 (Level 1)	$10.50	1 year
Learner permit, 18 and older	$5.50	1 year
Intermediate restricted license, under 18 (Level 2)	$24.50	5 years (standard period)
Intermediate unrestricted license, under 18 (Level 3)	$2.00	1 year
Graduating to Class D at age 18	$10.00	Until age 21
Class D license (D-Operator)	$28.00	8 years
Hardship license	$9.00	2 years

What is inside each total

Each total already includes a $2.00 application fee, except the intermediate unrestricted step, where $2.00 is the whole fee. For example, the Class D total of $28.00 is a $26.00 license fee plus the $2.00 application fee, and the under-18 permit total of $10.50 is $8.50 plus $2.00. These totals are state fees. A county clerk partner adds its own $4.00 fee on top.

What will you pay in total?

You are 15 to 17 and use every step

Permit $10.50, intermediate restricted license $24.50, intermediate unrestricted license $2.00, then $10.00 to graduate to Class D at 18. That adds up to $47.00 in state fees. The Class D license that you get at 18 lasts until age 21. You can move to a regular Class D license at 18, or sooner when you graduate high school or get a GED.

You are 18 or older and start with a permit

Permit $5.50, then Class D $28.00. That adds up to $33.50 in state fees. The Graduated Driver License steps do not apply at 18 or older. The guide to a Tennessee driver's license at 18 and older lists the steps.

You use a county clerk partner

The clerk adds a $4.00 administrative fee on top of the state fees. County clerk partners offer only replacement and renewal of non-commercial licenses.

What does it cost to retake a test?

Each time you take a permit (PD), Class D or hardship (H) test and fail, you pay the $2 application fee again. You cannot repeat a test on the same day, and you must wait at least 1 day after a failed knowledge test. The practice question on the wait after a failed knowledge test shows how this works. When you come back, bring all your original documents again.

What does a Tennessee license renewal cost?

For a driver over 21, a Tennessee license renews every 8 years from the date it was issued, not on your birthday. At renewal you pay the standard fee for an 8-year license, which is $28.00 for a Class D license. TDOSHS mails a renewal notice 8 to 10 weeks before your license expires. With a current valid photo license, you may be able to renew by mail or online. Self-service kiosks and county clerk partners also renew licenses.

Duplicate fees for a lost or stolen license

First duplicate: $8.00 in total ($6.00 plus the $2.00 application fee).
Second or any later duplicate in the same renewal cycle: $12.00 in total.
Where: any Driver Services Center, or online if you qualify. This applies to a lost, stolen or destroyed license, permit or ID.
A self-service kiosk or a county clerk partner can also replace a license.

Temporary license, driving record and other fees

A Temporary Driver License (TDL) costs $28.00 for the Class D type (XD). A temporary learner permit costs $33.00 under age 18 and $28.00 over age 18, and a first temporary duplicate costs $28.00. The guide for non-U.S. citizens explains who gets a TDL.
A copy of your driving record (MVR) costs $5.00. A Class D license with a For Hire endorsement costs $30.50 for 8 years.

Key takeaways

A learner permit costs $10.50 under 18 and $5.50 at 18 and older, each for 1 year.
The intermediate restricted license costs $24.50, and the intermediate unrestricted license costs $2.00.
A Class D license costs $28.00 for 8 years. Graduating from an intermediate license to Class D at 18 costs $10.00.
County clerk partners add $4.00. A duplicate costs $8.00, then $12.00 from the second one on.
Each time you fail a permit, Class D or hardship test, you pay the $2 application fee again.
Next step: practice for the knowledge test on the free Tennessee Class D practice test (in English only).

Tennessee license fees: common questions

Is there a separate fee to take the Tennessee driving test?

The TDOSHS fee page shows one total for each license, and each total includes a $2.00 application fee. For example, the Class D total is $28.00. If you fail a permit, Class D or hardship test, you pay the $2 application fee again each time you come back to test.

Why is the intermediate unrestricted license only $2.00?

It is a short step with no new tests. You can apply at 17, after you hold the restricted license for 1 year and meet the other conditions. The $2.00 is the whole fee, with no application fee on top. The practice question on the intermediate unrestricted step shows when you can first apply.

How long is a Tennessee driver's license good for?

For a driver over 21, a Class D license lasts 8 years, counted from the date it was issued and not from your birthday. If you move from an intermediate license to Class D at 18, that license lasts until age 21. A learner permit lasts 1 year.

Can I pay for a Tennessee license with a credit card?

Yes. For a driver license or ID, TDOSHS accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards, plus cash, check and money order. Self-service kiosks, which renew and replace licenses, take credit or debit cards.

Does a REAL ID cost more than a regular Tennessee license?

No. A REAL ID costs the same as a regular Tennessee driver license or photo ID. If it is time to renew, you pay the standard 8-year renewal fee. If you want a REAL ID before your renewal period, you pay a duplicate fee instead: $8.00 for a first duplicate or $12.00 for a later one.

What if my Tennessee license has been expired for a long time?

The 2022 manual sets a $5.00 late fee when a license has been expired more than 30 days, and $10.00 after 6 months. If you let 5 years go by without renewal, you pay the $10.00 late fee and must pass the vision screening, knowledge test and road test again.