The cost of obtaining a drivers license or having a license reinstated can be a huge obstacle if you need to drive to work or school. Help paying for drivers license fees can be hard to find, but there are some resources available, depending on where you live. Low Income Relief has information about how to find help paying for drivers license fees near you.
Get help paying for a drivers license in your state.
For people who are ready to renew their old drivers license or apply for their first one, it can be expensive! Finding help to pay for drivers license fees can be hard to come by.
However, there is some help paying for drivers license fees available, depending on which state you live in and what your life circumstances are.
One of the best ways to learn how to get help paying for drivers license fees where you live is to contact United Way. United Way can help connect you with local resources no matter where you live, you can call them just by dialing 211 or visiting their website.
While the United Way might be able to connect you with organizations that can help you pay the fees associated with a drivers license application or renewal, you can also check with your state or locality to find out if you are eligible for a discount or waiver on your drivers license due to your income, housing status, veteran status, or another reason.
For example, individuals who are leaving prison or who declare themselves homeless can have drivers license fees waived in the State of Nevada.
In Texas, some veterans are eligible for a free drivers license.
For information specific to you and your state, check with your local DMV.
Get help paying for driver license reinstatement.
In recent years, there has been a movement to stop suspending drivers licenses due to unpaid traffic fines and certain legal violations. These laws disproportionately impact people with low incomes, and make it more difficult to do basic things like drive to work and school.
A bill called the Driving for Opportunity Act, sponsored by Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, has been making its way through Congress, but has not yet become law. If this bill became a law, it would:
“make grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver’s license of an individual based on such individual’s failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee.”
In other words, it would make it beneficial for states to stop revoking the drivers licenses of low income people who have been unable to pay fines.
Some states, like Ohio and New York have begun implementing similar programs on their own. The State of Ohio’s Driver’s License Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program helps reinstate licenses for drivers who have unpaid traffic fees or other minor offenses that do not involve drugs, alcohol, or deadly weapons.
The State of New York’s Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act ended license suspensions due to non-payment of traffic fines, and also made affordable payment plans available to those who incur fines going forward.
Other ways to get help paying for driver license
If help paying for drivers license fees is not available near you, then there are a few other options.
First, some cities and states have one time cash assistance available for people with low incomes. For example, this program in New York City provides cash assistance to individuals in need. Try searching “one time cash assistance” and your city or state’s name to find out if a similar program is available near you.
Finally, Mutual Aid is a great way to connect with your neighbors and help get your needs met. Mutual Aid organizations are simply neighbors helping neighbors. Mutual Aid is not charity, but rather a system of connecting community members who can help one another in various ways. If you need some help paying drivers license fees, try tapping into your local Mutual Aid network.
Help paying for drivers license fees can be hard to come by, but we hope Low Income Relief’s suggestions make the job easier!
Please Help
Hi. What information can we help you with?
My license got stolen and my renewal date wasover a month ago.i have no income which means I have no way to pay for a renewal.i tried a website for advice on finding out why I’m not eligible for any cash assistance through DHS in pa,but,their website needs an update,so,I’ve gotten nowhere as far as finding any assistance.im trying to move forward with thing s but have no way to prove my identity.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this — losing your ID when you have no income makes everything harder. In Pennsylvania, you can usually get a free or low-cost replacement ID if you’re homeless, have no income, or qualify as low income. The PA Department of Transportation has hardship options, and many local agencies — like your County Assistance Office, Community Action Agency, Salvation Army or a local shelter — can give vouchers to help pay for a state ID. You may also be able to use other documents (birth certificate, Social Security card, benefits letters, etc.) to prove your identity while you work on getting the license replaced. We have more resources for Pennsylvania here: https://lowincomerelief.com/category/pennsylvania/. I hope this helps you move forward.
i live in florida where can i get help with reinstatement fees for not maintaining car insurance if i receive snap benefits
Hi. If the list above isn’t helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.
I live in Arkansas and my license is revoked approximately 20 year’s ago in IL when I lived there. I can’t afford reinstatement fee I am barely getting food on the table. I need my license back to make money I live in a country town with nothing for miles, is there any way to get any help with this? Any suggestions?
I can’t gett to where I can get help paying for my license
Is there any help in South Carolina help with drivers license suspension get your license back
What about Pennsylvania
If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest. I hope you find something!
@Catherine Marucci, are you aware of any programs that may help me pay for getting my license for the first time? I am 38 and am currently on SSDI but am unable to save up the money to get my license for the first time as my rent and bills take the whole payment plus some. I think getting my license will help me to get back into the job market.
Hi. If the resources above aren’t helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
Is there any way I can get help with my driver’s license I moved from Florida to Indiana get my car repossessed Florida is trying to charge me $260 for reinstatement fee but I live in Indiana
Hi Maurice. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
Hello I’m a homeless person who is trying to get my life back in order I live in florida and for 15 years I have been without a license I don’t have the funds to pay for reinstatement fees and at this point is close to 1,000. dollars florida is not ever able to let things go I feel like on top of jail time back 15 years ago wasn’t enough because im.still paying for my mistakes. Where can I get help for reinstatement fees so I can finally have peace of mind. Thank you for your attention. Also 211 didn’t have an answer.
I need help to renew in California
Hi. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they know of that might be available in your area.
Is there help paying to renew driver’s license in Hanford California
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other help available in your area.
I need to start getting a driver’s license in Cincinnati-OH. I’m 71 years old, and I need help with steps to pass the tests for a permit, information on free or low-cost Driver’s Ed schools/agencies for seniors, and any other details that will assist me in my goals for a state driver’s license. Also, how to get a free car in my area that will be safe to drive, AND information on vehicle insurance. I’m a member of AARP, but I don’t think they’re as cost-effective as I need. All efforts to assist will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Lucy. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
I need help I’m unemployed I’m a low income individual thats stuck in another state and I’m about to start online classes for college but I need a id to get in school I start Aug 26 but don’t have the money for a Oklahoma state id renewal I have medicare I have Sooner Care is there a waiver for me or a way to get my id by Aug 26 or I’ll be homeless please help.
Hi. It may be worth calling 211 to see if there are any programs in your area. You can also try contacting the Student Aid office at your school to see if they can offer any assistance.
I’ve been on SSI for several years now. My car was taken by a family member and totalled out. Now I’m stuck with fees up to 2,000 dollars and license was suspended, because I’m not able to afford the fees. I desperately need to drive to make doctors appointment, get to grocery store,just not able to walk around corner to catch the bus. COPD and on oxygen 24/7 is very difficult. Any programs in Louisiana to help me with my license? Thanks alot!❤️
Hi Montreal. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything that you may be eligible for in your area.
Hi Teresa. If you go to your state’s DMV website, they may have information on options.
You can also try calling 211 to see if there are any programs in your area that will help with the costs.
Hi Melissa. If you go to your state’s DMV website, they may have information on options.
You can also try calling 211 to see if there are any programs in your area that will help with the costs.
Yes. Hello. I am seeking help in paying for my Washington State Drivers license. My license was previously valid until July 18, 2022. I have not had the extra money ($84) to pay for this prior to July 18, 2022. I am blessed receive $1163 monthly from Social Security Disability. My monthly rent according to what the lease I signed requires is $1,151. This is first priority to stay warm, have a place to sleep. There is also Puget Sound Energy who is paid by me (and also through an energy assistance program that I have also been able to access, but not any longer. There is more than the $12 difference between the two which leaves me required to pay for public transportation ($2.75 or more per destination), toilet paper, soap, etc.). I am writing this to illustrate my situation and ask for any kind of assistance possible to help me in my ability to eventually pay the $84 just to legally be able to renew my licence again. I haven’t been able to for almost 7 months and the future isn’t looking very promising either to be able to accomplish this at the moment. I would like to be able to drive instead of pay for just a regular Washington State Identification card. With my drivers licence I am able to assist senior citizens free of charge with food delivery, other individuals in the area who have less than 20/20 vision assistance in driving them places in their vehicle because their vision is a lot worse at nighttime hours with a lot of reckless drivers in this neighborhood on the road. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank your, Ross Haskins
Hi Ross. If the organizations listed above cannot help, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other programs that you be be eligible for. I hope you find something! – Cat
can i get helpo with my fees
Hi Heather. If you have already tried the programs mentioned above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
any program in pittsburgh
It might be worth contacting your local DMV to see what programs are available there.
@Catherine Marucci,
Does New Jersey have that same payment plan to help people get their driver’s license reinstated at a low payment
Hi Ramone. Not that we know of, but 211 may know of other options.
Hello yes I have problems paying some finds that have been sent to collections it comes up to $4.057.30 and if it’s not a problem I would need help paying to get my driver’s license I will do a payment plan I just need them paid off to be able to drive back and forth from work and dialysis
Hi Derrick. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any additional programs.
in dugger indiana is there help with reinstatement fees
Hi Vicki. If the above services don’t reach your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any programs in your local area.
I live in Columbus Ga is there help here
Hi Joyce. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything.
Getting aid to reinstate drivers license in Detroit Mi
Hi Leonard. If none of the options above are helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
Any programs in Oregon ?
Hi Julianne. The United Way has offices in Oregon so they may be a good resource to ask.