Wow. That seems alot for just a renewal, but then again...

I've been trying to renew mine, as well. In state of California the fee is only $28, which includes everything, (and my licence has been expired there for bout 17 years now).
In Nevada, renewal is $25, (but because mine has been out of commission here fore WELL over 30 years, I have to pay a "reinstatement" fee of $120, on top of the renewal, on top of another $25 bucks for each exam taken). Would prove beneficial for me to just hitchhike back to Cali, get my licence there, return here and transfer it over to a Nevada one.....lol. (Wahhh...I miss Cali).

I didn't realize that each state has it's own fees dictated....Apparently, DMV is a self-contained government all of their own....O.O (Few worse than Nevada, I think).

Good luck to your son & new licence.

Shangrala