Get your first driver's license: your state, step by step

Pick your state for a plan: the learner permit and knowledge test, practice and driver education rules, the road test, what it costs, the documents to bring and where to go.

States with a step-by-step plan (51 of 51)

AlabamaAL
Online
No, tests and licenses are in person
Visit
Yes, at a driver license office
Cost
$5 test fee + $36.25 license
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AlaskaAK
Online
Start online with the knowledge test
Visit
Yes, in person
Cost
$15 road test + $20 license
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ArizonaAZ
Online
No, the permit test is in an office
Visit
Yes, for the permit test and the road test
Cost
$25 license (age 39 or younger)
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ArkansasAR
Online
No, in person (tests are booked online)
Visit
Yes, State Police testing and a revenue office
Cost
$40 Class D (ages 21+); prorated (ages 18-21)
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CaliforniaCA
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$46 application fee
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ColoradoCO
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least one office appointment
Cost
$20 instruction permit
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ConnecticutCT
Online
No, tests are in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$40 tests + $19 permit + $84 license
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DelawareDE
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
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District of ColumbiaDC
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$20 permit + $10 road test + $47 license
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FloridaFL
Online
No, the exams are taken in person
Visit
Yes, at a service center
Cost
$48 original Class E license (includes the learner's license)
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GeorgiaGA
Online
Start online, then visit a center
Visit
Yes, for the permit and license
Cost
$10 permit + $32 Class C license
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HawaiiHI
Online
Start online with the written test
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$5 permit + $2 test + $8 road test + $20 or $40 license
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IdahoID
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$20 permit + $5 knowledge test + $35 skills test + license fee
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IllinoisIL
Online
No, in person at a DMV
Visit
Yes, at a DMV
Cost
$20 permit + $30 license
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IndianaIN
Online
No, in person at a BMV branch
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$9 permit + $17.50 license
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IowaIA
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$6 permit + $4 per year of license
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KansasKS
Online
Start online: knowledge exam
Visit
Yes, in person
Cost
$29 Class C license with testing (age 21-64)
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KentuckyKY
Online
Start online with a myDrive pre-application
Visit
Yes, at least two trips
Cost
$15 permit ($18 REAL ID)
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LouisianaLA
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$32.25 license fee
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MaineME
Online
No, by mail or at a branch
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$35 permit exam + $30 license
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MarylandMD
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$65 learner's permit
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MassachusettsMA
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$30 permit + $35 road test + $50 license
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MichiganMI
Online
Start online with a pre-application
Visit
Yes, an office visit, then a skills test
Cost
$25 TIP fee + testing business fee
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MinnesotaMN
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$29.50 permit + $46 license
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MississippiMS
Online
No, knowledge exams are in person
Visit
Yes, one visit can cover both
Cost
$7 permit + $24 license (4-year)
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MissouriMO
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two stops
Cost
$16.50 (3 years) or $33 (6 years) license
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MontanaMT
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at a driver exam station
Cost
$5 per year of license term
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NebraskaNE
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least one visit
Cost
$29 Class O license
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NevadaNV
Online
Start online: written test and Quick Cards
Visit
Yes, by appointment
Cost
$25 testing + $41.50 license
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New HampshireNH
Online
No, in person (book the knowledge test online)
Visit
Yes, by appointment
Cost
$50, or $60 for REAL ID
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New JerseyNJ
Online
No, in person (appointments online)
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$10 permit + $6 probationary license + upgrade fee
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New MexicoNM
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, in person
Cost
$18 (4 years) or $34 (8 years)
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New YorkNY
Online
No, permit test at an office
Visit
Yes, an office visit and a road test
Cost
$64.25 to $90.00, by age and region
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North CarolinaNC
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at a driver license office
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North DakotaND
Online
Start online, with the knowledge test
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$15 permit + $15 license + $5 road test
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OhioOH
Online
Start online with the knowledge test
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$26.50 permit + $27.50 license
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OklahomaOK
Online
Start online, with the written test
Visit
Yes, for the vision and drive tests
Cost
$42.50 first-time license
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OregonOR
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least one visit
Cost
$7 test + $30 permit + $45 drive test + $64 license
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PennsylvaniaPA
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$45.50 permit and four-year license
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Rhode IslandRI
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$8.50 permit + $28.50 road test + $44.50 license
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South CarolinaSC
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$2 test + $2.50 permit + $25 license
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South DakotaSD
Online
No, tests are taken in person
Visit
Yes, test visits need an appointment
Cost
$38 instruction permit + $38 operator license
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TennesseeTN
Online
Start online: application and document pre-approval
Visit
Yes, at a Driver Services Center
Cost
$5.50 permit + $28.00 license
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TexasTX
Online
No, apply in person
Visit
Yes, by appointment
Cost
$33 license
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UtahUT
Online
No, apply in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$19 permit + $39 or $52 license
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VermontVT
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, for the road test
Cost
$39 test + $24 permit + $23 road test + $39 or $62 license
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VirginiaVA
Online
No, in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$3 permit + license fee
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WashingtonWA
Online
Start online
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$35 permit + $111 license (6 years)
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West VirginiaWV
Online
No, you finish in person
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$7.50 permit + $5.00 per year Class E license
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WisconsinWI
Online
Start online with the application
Visit
Yes, at least two visits
Cost
$35 permit + $28 probationary license
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WyomingWY
Online
Start online in oneWYO
Visit
Yes, at a driver exam station
Cost
$45 permit or Class C license
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More ways to get things done

REAL IDDocuments, appointment and offices
Driver's license renewalOnline, by mail or in person
Vehicle registrationTitle, plates and what to bring
Find a DMV officeHours, services and official booking

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. Applications, appointments and payments happen with the agency or the businesses it licenses, never on this site.