Depending on what country you’re in, a driver’s license can either cost next to nothing, or it can burn a real hole in your pocket.
In fact, there’s no universal standard for getting a driver’s license, meaning that both the difficulty and cost will vary greatly. Some countries require hours of classes and training, and these extra fees can add up.
INSIDER gathered the cost of getting a driver’s license in 20 countries, then used the current exchange rate to see each cost in US dollars.
Keep scrolling to see just how much a license costs in 20 different countries.
In the US, costs can range anywhere from $20 to $1,000.
Though the costs for getting a driver’s license in the US vary from state to state, Americans across the country go through the same general process for obtaining their licenses.
Teenagers are eligible for a learner's permit at the age of 15, provided they pass a permit test. This allows them to drive with restricted hours, a limited amount of passengers, and requires that they take a Driver's Ed class. When applicants turn 16, they qualify for their driver's license, provided they pass a road test.
In Canada, a driver's license costs around Can$158.25, which is about $123 in US dollars.
As in the US, Canadians must complete a series of tests before they can get a license. These include a vision test, knowledge test, and two road tests. To qualify for a driver's license, applicants must be 16 years old, though the process to get a full license takes 20 to 24 months.
A Russian driver's license costs about RUB 2,000, or $30.60.
The Russian Empire was one of the first countries to create a driver's license, issuing their first licenses in 1900.
Getting a Russian driver's license necessitates 130 hours of classes, and 56 hours of driving lessons.
The minimum cost for getting a driver's license in the UK is about £1,353, which is $1,764.45.
To get a driver's license in the UK, you must be a minimum of 17 years old. Otherwise, the required tests are similar to that of the US.
A driver's license in India is typically Rs. 200, which is only $2.74.
It wasn't until the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 that India required drivers have proper licenses in public places.
Drivers must be at least 16 years old to obtain a learner's license, and 18 to be eligible for a permanent driver's license.
Driver's licenses in Spain range in cost from €717.30 to €2,008.30, which is anywhere from $829.41 to $2,322.20.
In Spain, teenagers must be at least 18 years old before they can drive a vehicle by themselves.
In France, a driver's license costs about €1,300, which is $1,507.
In France, there are a limited amount of driving tests per year, and these tests are allocated to driving schools, which can thus be picky with whom they admit.
Getting a license in France is super competitive, and can take up to two years.
A driver's license in Germany ranges from €2,000 to €3,200, or $2,300 to $3,700.
Germany is one of the hardest places in the world to get a license. One of the requirements, for example, is an eight-hour first aid course. In addition, the driver's exam is very difficult. For each of the 30 multiple choice questions, there could be several answers at the same time, and there are questions on car mechanics as well as road rules.
Driver's licenses in China can cost around ¥600, or $87.36.
To get a permanent driver's license in China, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Costs may vary.
A driver's license in Australia costs $176.75 AUD, or about $127.60 in USD.
Drivers must go through three stages to get a permanent driver's license in Australia, though it may vary between states and territories (as does the cost). In New South Wales a Graduated Licensing Scheme promotes safe driving by spreading the learning process over four years.
In Mexico, a license costs Mex$960, or $51.36.
Until March of 2018, Mexico City was one of the few cities that didn't require an aptitude test to get a driver's license. Applicants are now required to take mandatory driver exams before they can get a license, as well as have a passport, proof of residence and cash to pay the fee. In order to maintain control over safe driving, Mexico also has giant speed bumps all over the place, that can damage a car if they're driven over too quickly.
The minimum cost for getting a driver's license in Ireland is about €660, or $763.16.
In Ireland, individuals can qualify for a permanent driver's license by the time they turn 17.
Driver's licenses in Brazil can range in cost from R$800 to R$1,500, or about $198.64 to $372.90.
To get a permanent driver's license in Brazil, drivers must be 18 years of age or older. The process requires that applicants take a dictation test first to prove their literacy. After that, drivers take the usual theoretical and practical tests.
Getting a driver's license in Argentina costs 930 ARS, or $22.97.
Most everyone drives in Argentina, because the country is so large and many areas are only accessible by car. Luckily, the process for getting a driver's license is pretty straightforward.
In Denmark, a driver's license costs 10,000 DKK, which is $1,552.
The process for obtaining a driver's license in Denmark is fairly standard, though expensive. The cost includes theory lessons and a theory test, as well as driving lessons and a driving test.
A Swedish driver's license can range from about 4,000 SEK to 15,000 SEK, which is anywhere from $444.40 to $1666.50.
The price of a Swedish driver's license varies depending on the amount of lessons drivers need to take, and the costs of the school they're enrolled in. Like most things, licenses are more expensive in cities than in the suburbs.
Getting a driver's license in Norway costs around 30,000 NOK, or $3,675.
The cost for getting a driver's license in Norway is exorbitant not because of license fees, but because of in-depth mandatory training combined with higher-than-average hourly rates for employees. As a result, Norway has one of the most expensive driver's license costs in the world.
A driver's license in Saudi Arabia costs 200 SR, or $53.34.
Until June 24, 2018, Saudi Arabia had a ban on women driving. However, the prices for driving lessons in order to get a license are still more expensive for women than for men. For women, driving lessons can cost between 2,000 SR and 3,000 SR, or between $533 to $800, while men only need to pay 450 SR, or $120.
Italian driver's licenses cost about €118, which is $136.99.
Italy has some beautiful roads that make driving there worth it. Drivers must be at least 18 years old before they can get their full licenses.
Getting a driver's license in Thailand costs about 605 THB, which is about $18.69.
Applicants getting a driver's license in Thailand need to be at least 18 years of age. A Thailand driver's license is valid in 10 ASEAN countries, which include all Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia