Minnesota Permit Fees 2026: $29.50 Permit, Retest Fees, and Other Costs

A Minnesota Class D instruction permit costs $29.50. This fee is paid only after you pass the knowledge test at a Deputy Registrar office.

What Are the Official 2026 Minnesota DVS Permit and Testing Fees?

The Minnesota instruction permit costs $29.50 for first-time applicants. The first two knowledge-test attempts do not have a separate retest fee. A $10 fee applies to the third and each subsequent knowledge test after two consecutive failures.

When Do You Pay the $29.50 Minnesota Instruction Permit Fee?

The $29.50 instruction-permit fee is paid as part of the permit transaction after you pass the knowledge test. It is separate from any later retest fee.

Are the First Two Minnesota Knowledge Tests Free?

The first two knowledge-test attempts do not have a separate retest fee. A $10 fee starts with the third test after two consecutive failures.

Is There a Fee for Your First Minnesota Road Test?

Minnesota does not list a standard fee for the first road test. A $20 retest fee applies to the third and each later road test after two consecutive failures.

Which Fees Are Separate From the $29.50 Minnesota Permit Fee?

Paying by credit card adds a 2.15% non-refundable service fee. An Enhanced Driver's License permit adds $15 for a $44.50 total. REAL ID upgrades carry no additional fee.

• Credit Card Service Fee: A 2.15% non-refundable service fee is added to credit-card payments. Minnesota DVS payment guidance states that debit cards are not accepted.
• No-Show or Late Cancellation Fee: A road-test no-show, cancellation, or reschedule less than 24 hours before the appointment costs $40. A change made 24-72 hours before costs $20.
• Enhanced Permit Upgrade: Choosing an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) permit for border travel adds $15, making the total $44.50. Get the enhanced permit application form from DVS.
• REAL ID Permit: Upgrading to REAL ID adds no extra fee beyond the standard $29.50 permit cost.
• Driver's Education (Under 18): This is not a state fee but a mandatory cost paid to private schools, typically $350-$550.

If you pass on your first or second attempt, there is no separate knowledge-test retest fee. If you fail twice and pass on the third try, the $10 third-test fee is separate from the $29.50 permit fee. Check out our Minnesota permit application guide for step-by-step instructions.

Does a REAL ID instruction permit cost more than a standard permit? No. The REAL ID version does not add a separate credential fee to the standard $29.50 instruction-permit cost.

For payment-method details, see the dedicated Minnesota DVS Payment Methods guide; this page stays focused on permit and testing costs.

Avoid Unexpected Costs at Minnesota DVS

The main avoidable costs are third-and-later test fees, late road-test changes or no-shows, credit-card service fees, and optional or private training costs. Use the dedicated application, document, and road-test vehicle guides for those requirements rather than relying on this fee page.

For test preparation, see our Minnesota knowledge test guide. If your permit expires, check our permit renewal information.