In getting ready to tackle the learning process and achieve a driver’s license, you will need to set aside money and time, both for learning and for the paperwork. First, you’ll need to pay for a driver’s education course, the learner’s test, then the learner’s permit, then driving lessons, then the driver’s test, then payment for the driver’s license, and renewal of the license every few years.
- How Much Does It Cost to Get a Learner’s Permit?
- How Much Do Driving Lessons Cost?
- Do Automatic Driving Lessons and Manual Driving Lessons Cost the Same?
- Types of Driver’s Licenses and How Much They Cost
- How Much Does It Cost to Retake a Driving Test?
- How Much Does It Cost to Change Information on a Driver’s License and Learner’s Permit?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Learner’s Permit?
To get your learner’s permit in Pennsylvania, you should register for a driver’s education course at a good driving school like Driven2Drive. The lowest permit age is 16. The cost of this starts at about $80, providing tuition and classroom sessions. This is followed by a written test of your knowledge, and a medical physical examination, including your vision, hearing, and physical coordination. If you pass those, you should pay $35.50 to apply for your junior learner’s permit, if you are between 16 and 18, or a learner’s permit if you are over 18.
If you don’t pass the test at first, you will need to pay again to retake the learner’s permit test, which you can do the next day. If you do pass the learner’s test, but don’t manage to pass your driver’s license test within three months, then you must renew the learner’s permit. This includes redoing the knowledge exam and the physical exam.
A summary of learner’s permit costs are estimated at:
| Learner’s Permit process fees | |
|---|---|
| Driver’s Education Manual | Free |
| Driver’s Education Course | $80.00 DOT |
| Physical Exam | $119.00 |
| Cost of Learner’s Permit | $35.50 |
| Renewal of Permit | $35.50 |
| TOTAL (estimated) | $269.00 |
How Much Do Driving Lessons Cost?
Driving lessons can be provided in a package of tuition, and costs vary across driving schools. At Driven2Drive you can plan for lessons according to your budget. It’s recommended that you have at least 65 hours of driving practice including 10 hours of nighttime driving (which you can do with any licensed adult driver as supervisor).
To speed up your learning process and prepare yourself well for the driving test, it’s recommended to have some tuition from an experienced, professional driving instructor. This will make it easier to pass the test the first time, avoiding the cost of a repeat test. Lessons at Driven2Drive start at $195 for a single two-hour session. It’s recommended that you have 10-20 lessons, with an estimated minimum total cost of $1,950.
Do Automatic Driving Lessons and Manual Driving Lessons Cost the Same?
An automatic driving lesson—which is termed a ‘regular lesson’ at Driven2Drive—costs the same as a stick shift lesson (in a manual car), but prices may differ at other driving schools. It takes more time and effort to learn to drive a manual vehicle, but it’s recommended, especially for beginners. Simple driving lessons start at $210 per two-hour lesson.
Types of Driver’s Licenses and How Much They Cost
There are two main types of driver’s licenses: a non-commercial (personal) one and one for drivers who are doing commercial driving.
Cost of a Non-commercial Driver’s License
A junior driver’s license costs $45.50 and a regular unrestricted license costs $35.50.
Class A, the non-commercial license, allows you to drive your vehicle plus a towed vehicle with a total mass of 26,000 lbs if you are over 18. Class B, also a non-commercial license, allows you to drive any single vehicle over 26,000 lbs if you are over 18. These licenses cost $35.50 and are valid for four years.
Class C allows you to drive emergency vehicles only, motorcycles or scooters up to 50cc, or a sedan motor car, if you are over 16 years of age. Class M is for licensed drivers over 16, for motorcycles only. Both Class C and Class M licenses cost $45.50 and are valid for four years.
Cost of a Commercial Driver’s License
To be allowed to drive a goods vehicle interstate, you must be over 21 years of age. There are three categories of commercial driver’s license:
- Class A, which covers drivers over 18 who can drive a combination of vehicles with a weight of 26,001 lbs, including a towed vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs in weight.
- Class B, which covers drivers over 18 who can drive a combination of vehicles with a weight of 26,001lbs, including a towed vehicle equal to or less than 10,000 lbs in weight.
- Class C, which covers drivers over 18 who can drive a vehicle no heavier than 26,000 lbs.
All three categories must pay a fee of $102.50 for their licenses, renewable after four years.
Interstate driving requires a license fee of $102.50 and is renewable after four years. To be allowed to drive a goods vehicle interstate, you must be over 21 years of age.
Cost of an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)
An Enhanced Driver’s License includes additional skills or services, for example transporting dangerous substances like gas. This is called a hazmat license (endorsed for hazardous materials) and costs $120.50, renewable after four years.
For details of different commercial category license costs, see the DMV website.
How Much Does It Cost to Retake a Driving Test?
Sometimes you might need to retake your driving test if, for example, you are part of a random sample who must repeat their medical tests, which the PA administration may request you to do. In that case, you will pay the same fee to apply for a driver’s license as before, as described above.
If your license expires and you do not renew it, you may be asked to pay the same licensing fee again and retake both the written and road tests to restore your license. When you reschedule your road test, you must pay the fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace/Renew Your Driver’s License?
If you lose your driver’s license, you need to replace it quickly to stay legal! The cost of replacing it is $39.50. These fees may change. You can find a comprehensive list on the PennDOT Payments and Fees chart, which provides a full list of updated fees for various licenses, driving record requests, and other services.
How Much Does It Cost to Change Information on a Driver’s License and Learner’s Permit?
You may have to fill in a form with the DMV to apply for a new license or permit document if your personal information must be changed. These fees are specified by the DMV.
When planning to get your PA driver’s license, consider your time available, the money you will need to invest in the learning process, and the cost of renewals and repeat testing. This will help you keep to a budget when you have to cover all these costs.
Driven2Drive is a premier driving school and the leader in Driver’s Education. From our dedicated team of instructors to our innovative state-of-the-art Driving & License Testing Centers, we are committed to instilling safe driving habits for life in a fun and interactive atmosphere.
