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Getting a Florida driver license costs $48 for the learner’s license and $48 for an original Class E license under state law, plus $10 for each knowledge exam retake and $20 for each driving skills retake, as of November 2026. You book your Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) tests through your county’s driver license or tax collector office, or test with an approved third party administrator. This guide sets out every fee, how booking works county by county, and what happens if you fail or need to cancel.
Key facts
- Learner’s license: $48 (FLHSMV fee page).
- Original Class E license: $48 (Florida Statutes 322.21). It includes the state driver education fee.
- Retests: $10 per knowledge exam retake, $20 per driving skills retake (s. 322.12).
- Learner’s license holders pay no fee for passing the driving exam, and no replacement license fee when they move up (s. 322.12).
- Tax collector offices add a $6.25 service fee per driver license transaction (FLHSMV).
- Booking is handled office by office. Use your county page on flhsmv.gov to find the right booking system.
How much does a Florida driver license cost?
| Item | Fee (as of November 2026) | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s license (Class E learner) | $48 | FLHSMV fees page |
| Original Class E driver license | $48 | s. 322.21(1)(b) |
| Knowledge exam retake (after a fail) | $10 each time | s. 322.12(1) |
| Driving skills test retake (after a fail) | $20 each time | s. 322.12(1) |
| Driving skills exam for a learner’s license holder | No fee for passing | s. 322.12(2) |
| Replacement license | $25 (waived for learner’s license holders when they upgrade) | s. 322.21(1)(e), s. 322.12(2) |
| Tax collector service fee | $6.25 per driver license transaction | FLHSMV |
| Driver education course (needed for the learner’s license) | Set by the provider | s. 322.1615 |
| Third party administrator exams | Set by the provider | s. 322.56 |
A worked example
A 15 year old passes the knowledge exam at the first try and pays $48 for the learner’s license (plus $6.25 if the office is a tax collector). One failed knowledge attempt before that would have added $10. Later, under s. 322.12(2), passing the driving exam carries no fee for a learner’s license holder, and there is no replacement license fee for the upgrade. One failed road test adds $20. Ask your office to confirm the total at the upgrade, since county service fees can apply. For other states, see driver’s license costs by state.
Where do you take the Florida tests?
| Option | Knowledge exam | Driving skills test |
|---|---|---|
| FLHSMV driver license office or county tax collector office | Yes, any age | Yes, at offices that offer road tests |
| Third party administrator (TPA), in person | Yes | Yes, with an approved TPA |
| Third party administrator, online | Under 18 only | No |
Not every office does everything. FLHSMV county pages show examples: some locations give no written exams or road tests, some counties send learner’s license exams to full-service offices or third party providers, and many give road tests only by appointment. Check your county page before you book.
Before the learner’s license you must also pass vision and hearing tests and finish an approved driver education course. See Florida learner’s license rules and Florida permit documents.
How to book a Florida test appointment
- Find your county on the FLHSMV “Locations” pages. Each county page lists its offices and how they take bookings.
- Use the booking route it gives. Many counties link to an online scheduler; some tax collector offices run their own system on their website; some offices book by phone.
- Choose the right service, such as learner’s license exam or road test. Road tests are often a separate appointment type.
- Prepare for the day: documents, fee, and for a road test an insured, registered car and a licensed driver 21 or older to bring you. See road test day checklist.
Walk-ins: availability varies by office, and county pages such as Pinellas and Alachua say road tests are by appointment only. Don’t rely on a walk-in for a test without checking your county page. General booking tips are in how to book a DMV test appointment.
Testing with a third party administrator
Florida law lets FLHSMV contract schools and businesses to give the knowledge and skills tests. The test must be the same as the state’s, and the state accepts the results. Things to know:
- Under 18s can take the Class E knowledge exam online through an approved third party administrator. Applicants 18 and over test in person.
- If you pass with a third party, you may be picked for a free, mandatory retest at an office, without prior notice. Failing that retest means a re-exam fee at your next attempt.
- The provider sets its own price. Ask for it upfront and confirm the provider is FLHSMV-approved.
Full details: taking Florida tests with a third party administrator.
If you fail, or need to cancel
- Failed knowledge exam: pay $10 for each retake.
- Failed driving test: pay $20 for each retake. Use the time to fix the faults the examiner noted. See every maneuver the Florida examiner checks.
- Waiting time between attempts: ask your office when you can rebook. See retake waiting periods by state.
- Canceling or rescheduling: follow the instructions in your booking confirmation or contact the office or tax collector you booked with. If you used a third party administrator, its own cancellation terms apply.
Common questions
How much is a learner’s permit in Florida?
$48 for the learner’s license, as of November 2026, plus a $6.25 service fee at a tax collector office. Driver education course fees are extra.
Is the Florida road test free?
For learner’s license holders, passing the driving exam carries no fee under s. 322.12. Retakes after a fail cost $20 each. Third party administrators charge their own fees.
Can I take the Florida permit test online?
Yes, if you are under 18, through an approved third party administrator. You may be selected for a free retest at an office.
Does Florida take walk-ins for the driving test?
Many offices give road tests by appointment only. Check your county’s FLHSMV location page.
Why is the fee higher at the tax collector?
Tax collector offices add a $6.25 service fee to each driver license transaction.
How do I study for the knowledge exam?
Use the Florida handbook, then try the Florida permit practice test and read the Florida Class E knowledge test guide.
Related guides
- How to get a driver license in Florida
- Florida TLSAE and driver education courses
- Texas license fees and test booking
- California license fees and test booking
Sources
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.12, Examination of applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.21, License fees” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” and “s. 322.56, Contracts for administration of driver license examination” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Fees” and “Frequently Asked Questions” (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Class E Knowledge Exam and Driving Skills Test” and county “Locations” pages (flhsmv.gov)