Massachusetts Learner's Permit Fee: $30, Retakes and Related Costs (2026)

A Massachusetts learner's permit costs $30 for each application attempt. This fee covers one knowledge exam and a vision screening. You pay this $30 fee every time you retake the test if you fail.

Massachusetts RMV Fees: $30 Permit, $35 Road Test, $50 License

Massachusetts RMV charges $30 for each permit application attempt, $35 for the road test, and $50 for the initial Class D license issuance. These fixed fees apply statewide and do not change based on your location, age, or number of previous attempts. Every retake requires the full fee upfront with no refunds.

Download the full RMV fee schedule (PDF) for all services.

Which Massachusetts Permit Costs Are RMV Fees and Which Are Optional Private Costs?

The official permit-stage RMV charge is the $30 learner's permit application fee. The $35 road-test fee and $50 license fee come later in the licensing process. Driving-school lessons, transportation, document-copy costs and similar expenses are private or optional costs, not extra RMV permit fees. See the official fee schedule: https://www.mass.gov/doc/rmv-schedule-of-fees/download

Is the Massachusetts learner's permit fee the same for teens and adults? Yes. The $30 permit application fee does not change because of age. Teen applicants may face separate driver-education costs later, but that does not change the RMV permit fee itself.

Does the $30 Massachusetts permit fee include more than one knowledge-test attempt? No. If you fail the knowledge exam, another attempt requires another $30 exam fee.

Does taking the Massachusetts permit test online cost more? No separate higher exam fee is listed for taking the Class D permit knowledge test online rather than at an RMV Service Center. The standard permit application/exam fee remains $30. See: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-passenger-class-d-learners-permit

Massachusetts Permit Cost After Knowledge-Test Retakes

The permit-stage cost depends mainly on how many times you take the knowledge test. Each failed knowledge-test attempt adds another $30 exam fee.

• Pass on First Try: $30 permit fee.
• Fail Once, Pass on Second: $60 total in permit exam fees.
• Fail Twice, Pass on Third: $90 total in permit exam fees.

These figures cover the permit exam only. The later road-test, license and driver-education costs belong in the full Massachusetts licensing-cost breakdown.

Massachusetts RMV's current retake instructions do not state the old mandatory seven-day hold used in this article. After a failed attempt, follow the current myRMV retake process and pay the new $30 exam fee.

Other Costs That Can Affect Your Massachusetts Permit Budget

Separate official RMV permit charges from optional private costs. The $30 permit fee is the core state charge, while replacement documents, private document services, transportation and other personal expenses can add to your budget.

• Replacement Permit: A replacement learner's permit costs $15.
• Private Document Services: Certified copies, notarization or printing may create outside costs when they are actually needed.
• Later Licensing Fees: Road-test and license charges are separate from the permit fee; see the dedicated total licensing-cost page for the full path.

There is no standard Massachusetts RMV driver's-education discount that lowers the permit fee when you present a completion certificate.

How to Pay the Massachusetts Learner's Permit Fee

Massachusetts RMV accepts several payment methods, and available methods can vary by Service Center. The permit fee can also be handled through the current myRMV payment flow. Check your selected location's current payment information before the visit.

For detailed online, card, cash, check and location-specific payment guidance, use the dedicated Massachusetts permit payment-methods page.