California permit test costs $35 for a written exam and $7 for the driving portion

The California Department of Motor Vehicles charges a combined fee of $42 to take both the written knowledge test and the behind-the-wheel driving test for your learner's permit or driver's license. The written exam costs $35 on its own; the driving test costs $7. You pay these fees when you show up to take the test, not when you schedule it. If you fail either test, you must pay the full fee again to retake it.

These are the only fees the DMV charges directly for testing. However, you will also need to pay for your permit or license card itself — that is a separate $39 fee for a learner's permit or $48 for a driver's license — but that comes after you pass both tests. Some testing locations may charge a small additional fee if you book an appointment online rather than walk in, though this varies by location.

Key Takeaways

  • Written test and driving test together cost $42 at any California DMV office; you pay when you arrive to test.
  • If you fail either test, you pay the full $42 fee again to retake it — there is no discount for retakes.
  • The permit or license card itself costs $39 (permit) or $48 (license) after you pass both tests.
  • Some DMV locations charge a small online booking fee, but walk-in testing has no additional cost.
  • You must bring proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number to test; missing documents means you cannot test that day.

Where to pay and what happens on test day

You pay the $42 test fee in person at the DMV office where you are scheduled to test. Bring cash, debit card, or credit card — most offices accept all three. You cannot pay online in advance; payment happens at the counter after you check in.

If you fail the written test, you can usually retake it the same day or schedule another appointment. Either way, you pay $35 again. The same applies to the driving test — if you do not pass, you pay $7 to retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts at most locations, though some offices may have a short delay if they are busy.

Written test versus driving test fees

The $35 written test covers your knowledge exam on California traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. This test has 46 questions and you must answer at least 39 correctly to pass. You take it on a computer at the DMV office.

The $7 driving test is the behind-the-wheel portion where a DMV examiner rides with you in your own vehicle (or a vehicle you borrow) and watches you drive for about 20 minutes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and passes a safety inspection. The examiner scores you on lane control, stopping, turning, and following traffic laws.

What the fee does and does not include

The $42 test fee covers the cost of the exam itself — the written questions, the driving route, the examiner's time, and the scoring. It does not cover the permit or license card you receive after passing. It also does not cover any study materials, practice tests, or preparation courses you might buy on your own.

The fee also does not include the cost of vehicle registration, insurance, or a safety inspection if your vehicle needs one. You must have all three before you can take the driving test, but those are separate expenses you pay to other agencies or businesses, not to the DMV as part of testing.

Retake fees and failed test costs

If you fail the written test, you pay $35 to retake it. If you fail the driving test, you pay $7 to retake it. If you fail both on the same day, you pay $42 total to retake both. There is no discount for multiple retakes, and each attempt costs the full fee.

Most people can retake a failed test within a few days or weeks, depending on DMV appointment availability in your area. Some areas have long wait times for driving test appointments, so budget extra time if you need to retake the driving portion. You can retake the written test much faster — often the same day or the next day.

Permit card and license card fees after you pass

Once you pass both the written and driving tests, you pay a separate fee for the physical permit or license card. A learner's permit costs $39. A driver's license costs $48. These fees are in addition to the $42 you already paid for testing.

You pay the card fee at the same DMV counter where you pick up your permit or license. The card is issued the same day in most cases. If you lose your permit or license later, replacing it costs $20 for a duplicate.

How test fees compare across California regions

The $42 test fee is the same at every DMV office in California — there is no regional variation. However, some DMV locations in larger cities may charge a small online appointment booking fee (usually $1 to $3) if you reserve your test slot online rather than walk in. Smaller or rural DMV offices often do not charge this booking fee.

The written and driving test fees themselves never vary. What does vary is how long you wait for an appointment. In rural areas, you might get a driving test appointment within a week or two. In major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego, the wait can be several months. This does not change the fee, but it affects how long you hold the permit before testing for your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I fail the test?

No. The DMV does not refund test fees if you fail. You must pay the full fee again to retake the test. Some private driving schools offer practice tests or lessons that may help you pass on your next attempt, but those are separate purchases.

Do I have to pay the $42 fee every time I take the test?

Yes. Each time you take the written test or the driving test, you pay the full fee for that test. If you take both on the same day and fail both, you pay $42 to retake both. There are no package discounts or reduced rates for multiple attempts.

What if I schedule an appointment online but do not show up?

You do not lose the fee if you miss your appointment — you straightforward do not test that day. However, you will need to schedule a new appointment and pay the fee when you actually arrive to test. Some DMV offices have a policy of charging a no-show fee, but this is not standard across all locations.

Is the $42 fee the same for a learner's permit and a driver's license?

Yes. The written and driving test fees are $42 whether you are testing for a learner's permit or a full driver's license. The difference is in the card fee afterward — $39 for a permit, $48 for a license.

Do I pay the fee before or after I pass the test?

You pay the fee when you arrive at the DMV to test, before you take the exam. If you pass, you then pay the separate card fee ($39 or $48) to receive your permit or license. If you fail, you pay the test fee again when you retake it.