Florida Learner's Permit Costs: State Fee, Tax Collector Fee, and Retest Costs

Florida learner-permit costs depend on the transaction and where it is handled. State license fees, tax-collector service fees, and re-exam fees are separate charges.

What Does a Florida Learner's Permit Cost in 2026?

The original Class E license fee is $48 statewide. When the transaction is handled by a county tax collector, Florida law provides a $6.25 service fee for covered driver-license services, making the usual office total $54.25. The $6.25 tax collector service fee is fixed by statute; it is not a county-set convenience fee.

Does a Florida learner's permit cost $48 or $54.25?

The state Class E license fee is $48. If the transaction is handled by a tax collector, the statutory $6.25 service fee generally makes that office transaction $54.25 when the service fee applies.

Does the Florida permit cost differ at an FLHSMV office and a tax collector?

The state license fee remains $48. A tax collector generally adds the statutory $6.25 service fee for covered driver-license services, while separate third-party testing or course charges are not FLHSMV license fees.

How Much Does a Florida Permit Knowledge Test Retest Cost?

There is no state re-exam fee for the initial Class E knowledge exam. After a failed attempt, a subsequent knowledge exam carries a $10 state re-exam fee. If the re-exam is handled by a tax collector, its $6.25 service fee may also apply to the visit, but $16.25 should not be presented as a universal statewide retest price. For budgeting, treat the $48 license fee, any applicable $6.25 tax collector service fee, and $10 knowledge re-exam fees as separate line items.

• State knowledge re-exam fee: $10 after the initial failed knowledge exam.
• Tax collector service fee: $6.25 may also apply when the transaction is handled by a tax collector, subject to the statutory service-fee rules.

Course costs are separate from state licensing and re-exam fees; detailed DETS/TLSAE pricing belongs in the training-cost guidance.

Is the first Florida permit knowledge test free?

Florida does not charge a state re-exam fee for the initial knowledge test. A tax collector service fee may still apply when that office administers the transaction, and an approved third-party provider may charge its own testing fee.

Additional Florida Permit Costs to Budget For

Beyond the base fee, these costs regularly surprise applicants at Florida DHSMV offices. Budget for all of them before your appointment.

Full Florida permit rules are at the Florida learner's permit guide.

• Driver education course: Paid separately to an approved provider; detailed course pricing is covered in the training-cost page.
• Notary Fees: $5-$20 for notarizing parental consent forms. Broward County offices send applicants to nearby notaries, adding cost and delay.
• Card processing charges: Office-specific; check the exact tax collector location before visiting.
• Replacement permit: Replacement charges are separate from the original permit cost; use the lost/stolen permit guidance for the current replacement rule.
• On-site Photo: Most offices take your photo on-site. Separate passport photos are rarely required.

In Pensacola, Escambia County satellite offices only accept cash, causing trips to ATMs and additional fees. Verify your specific office's accepted payment methods before you go.

At the Jacksonville DHSMV counter, an out-of-state credit card was declined. The applicant returned the same day with a Florida debit card. Florida offices are not obligated to hold your appointment while you sort out payment-bring a backup payment method.

Florida Permit Payment Methods and Processing Fees

State licensing fees are paid when the transaction is completed. Florida does not provide installment payment plans for standard permit/license fees. Accepted payment types and card-processing charges vary by tax collector office, so verify the exact location before visiting.

See full fee details and permit steps at shoro.ai Florida Learner's Permit guide.