Massachusetts Driver's License Fees in 2026: Complete Guide

In Massachusetts, licenses come from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), not a DMV, and every fee it charges is set by the RMV's official Schedule of Fees (last revised May 2025). Whether you are a teen working toward a Junior Operator License, a new resident swapping in an out-of-state license, or a longtime driver due for renewal, here is every Massachusetts permit, license, and ID fee for 2026, how to pay it, and who qualifies for a waiver.

Quick answer: In 2026, a standard Massachusetts Class D driver's license costs $50 (issue or renewal, 5 years). A first-time driver pays about $115 in total: $30 for the learner's permit, $35 for the road test, and $50 for the license. A replacement license costs $25, and a Mass ID card costs $25. All fees come from the official RMV Schedule of Fees and are non-refundable.

Massachusetts RMV Fee Quick-Reference Table

Here is a snapshot of the most common Massachusetts RMV license and ID fees for 2026:

Transaction	Fee
Learner's Permit Application (Class A, B, C, D, or M)	$30
License Application and Road Test (all classes)	$35
Class D License (Passenger), Issue or Renewal (5 years)	$50
Class M License (Motorcycle Only), Issue or Renewal	$50
Motorcycle Endorsement Added to Existing License	$15 ($3 per year)
Duplicate (Replacement) License	$25
Duplicate Permit	$15
Amend License (Add/Delete Restrictions)	$25
Commercial Class A, B, or C License (5 years)	$75
Out-of-State License Conversion, Class D or M	$115
Out-of-State License Conversion, Class A, B, or C	$140
Mass ID Card (5 years)	$25
Liquor ID Card (5 years)	$25
Duplicate or Amended ID Card	$25
REAL ID Upgrade Before Renewal	$25

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Massachusetts Driver's License for the First Time?

Most new drivers in Massachusetts go through three paid steps. Here is what a standard first-time Class D license costs in 2026:

Learner's Permit Application: $30. This covers your permit knowledge exam. If you fail, you pay another $30 to retake it.
Road Test: $35. You pay this again for every retake.
Class D License: $50. Paid when you pass your road test (online, before or after the test).

Total for a first-time driver: about $115, assuming you pass both tests on the first try. Each failed road test adds $35, and each failed permit exam adds $30.

The $35 road test fee is not refunded if you fail, are late or do not show up, arrive without a qualified sponsor or a registered and inspected vehicle, or cancel or reschedule with less than 72 hours' notice, according to the RMV's Class D road test rules. Tests the RMV cancels for bad weather can be rescheduled at no cost. You can take no more than six Class D road tests in a 12-month period.

New to the process? Our step-by-step guide on how to get a Massachusetts learner's permit walks you through eligibility, documents, and the permit exam.

Standard Driver's License (Class D) Fees

Most Massachusetts drivers hold a Class D license, which covers everyday passenger cars. Here are the official Class D fees for 2026:

Issue or Renewal (5 years): $50.
Duplicate (Lost, Stolen, or Damaged): $25.
Amend License (Add or Remove a Restriction): $25.
Instant Issue License or ID: $50.

Class D licenses and permits are prorated at $10 per year, so if your license is issued for fewer than five years (for example, to line it up with your birthday), you pay a proportionally lower amount. Massachusetts does not charge a separate late fee for renewing an expired license, though you must stop driving once it expires.

Motorcycle and Commercial License Fees

If you ride a motorcycle or drive a commercial vehicle, the fees differ:

Class M License (Motorcycle Only): $50 for a 5-year license.
Motorcycle Endorsement on an Existing License: $15 ($3 per year, prorated).
Commercial Class A, B, or C License: $75 for a 5-year license.
Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP): $30 application.
CDL Endorsement: $10 if added with your CDL permit application, $30 if added after your permit is issued, plus $10 for each additional endorsement in the same transaction.
Duplicate HazMat Certificate: $10.

Note: CDL applicants should also budget for the DOT medical exam and any federal background check for a hazardous materials (HazMat) endorsement. These are paid to outside providers, not the RMV.

Out-of-State License Conversion Fees

Moving to Massachusetts? New residents must convert their out-of-state license to a Massachusetts license. The RMV conversion fees are:

Class D or Class M Conversion: $115.
Class A, B, or C (Commercial) Conversion: $140.
Motorcycle Endorsement on a Converted License: $15.

Massachusetts ID Card Fees

The RMV issues identification cards for residents who do not drive or who need a separate photo ID:

Mass ID (5 years): $25. Prorated at $5 per year.
Liquor ID (5 years): $25. Used as proof of age for purchasing alcohol.
Duplicate ID: $25.
Amend ID: $25.

REAL ID: Is There an Extra Fee in Massachusetts?

There is no extra charge for REAL ID at renewal. According to the RMV's REAL ID page, upgrading when you renew costs the normal renewal fee: $50 for Class D or M, and $75 for Class A, B, or C.

If you want to upgrade before your license expires, the RMV charges $25, and you will still need to renew (and pay) when your current license expires. A REAL ID upgrade requires an in-person document check at an RMV Service Center or a AAA branch (for AAA members).

Why it matters in 2026: since February 1, 2026, travelers 18 and older who fly without a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted ID (like a passport) must pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee for 10 days of travel. A $25 upgrade is cheaper if you fly even once.

Fee Waivers and Discounts

Massachusetts offers a few ways to reduce or eliminate license fees:

Disabled Veterans: Veterans rated 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or who have or qualify for Disabled Veteran plates, pay no fee for license issue, renewal, or duplicates.
Veteran Indicator: No fee for a duplicate license or ID that adds the Veteran designation.

There is no general low-income fee waiver for driver's licenses in Massachusetts.

How to Pay Massachusetts RMV Fees

The RMV gives you several ways to pay your road test and license fees:

Online (myRMV): Log in with a MyMassGov account and pay by credit or debit card. This is the fastest option for road test and license fees.
By Phone: Call the RMV Contact Center at (857) 368-8000 (339, 617, 781, or 857 area codes, or outside Massachusetts) or (800) 858-3926 (all other Massachusetts callers). Have your name, date of birth, license or permit number, and the fee amount ready.
In Person: RMV Service Centers accept major credit and debit cards, and most also accept checks and money orders. Check your local Service Center's page before visiting.

Important deadline: If you pass your road test without prepaying, you must pay your license fee online within 60 days. Once your fees are paid, your license is mailed within 7 to 10 days. Your passed permit works as a temporary license until then.

Pro tip: Book your road test with plenty of notice and avoid changing it inside the 72-hour window. A late cancellation forfeits your $35 fee just like a failed test, so prepaying online and keeping your slot is the cheapest path to your license.

Ready to Pass the Massachusetts Permit Exam?

Every failed permit exam costs another $30, so the cheapest learner's permit is the one you earn on your first attempt. Before you head to an RMV Service Center, read our Massachusetts learner's permit guide for the eligibility rules, the documents to bring, and what to expect on exam day.

Get your Massachusetts learner's permit, step by step →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Massachusetts driver's license in 2026?

A standard Class D driver's license costs $50 for a 5-year license, whether it is your first license or a renewal. First-time drivers also pay $30 for the learner's permit and $35 for the road test, for a total of about $115.

How much does it cost to renew a Massachusetts driver's license?

Renewing a Class D or Class M license costs $50. Commercial Class A, B, or C renewals cost $75. You can renew up to one year before your license expires, and there is no late fee for renewing after it expires.

How much is a learner's permit in Massachusetts?

The learner's permit application costs $30, which includes the knowledge exam. If you fail the exam, you pay another $30 to retake it. A duplicate permit costs $15.

How much does the Massachusetts road test cost?

The road test costs $35 per attempt. The fee is not refunded if you fail, miss your appointment, or cancel with less than 72 hours' notice.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Massachusetts driver's license?

A duplicate driver's license costs $25. You can request one online through myRMV.

Does a REAL ID cost more in Massachusetts?

No. Upgrading to REAL ID at renewal costs the same as a standard renewal ($50 for Class D). Upgrading before your renewal date costs $25.

How much does it cost to transfer an out-of-state license to Massachusetts?

Converting an out-of-state Class D or M license costs $115. Converting a commercial Class A, B, or C license costs $140.

Are Massachusetts RMV fees refundable?

No. According to the RMV, all license fees are non-refundable, including the road test fee if you fail, no-show, or cancel late.

Fees in this guide are based on the Massachusetts RMV Schedule of Fees (revised May 2025) and RMV guidance current as of October 2026. Always confirm with the Massachusetts RMV before your visit, as fees can change.