Skip to main content
Hero background

Hawaii

‘Ho'ike’ is test in Hawaiian. It takes practice to get right, just like getting your Hawaii driver’s license. Use practice tests like the Hawaii new-to-state driver’s license test and the Hawaii road signs test to pass the ho’ike on your first try.

PICK A Hawaii DMV PRACTICE TEST TO START:

Driver's License
Just Moved? Renewing your License? Practice here!
Driver's License
Driver's Permit
Teens! Get your practice permit test here!
Driver's Permit
Motorcycle
Your Permit to Ride starts here!
Motorcycle
CDL
Get your Commercial Endorsements practice here!
CDL
Jump to:

Hawaii DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Hawaii License
  • Preparing For Your HI Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your HI Permit Test
  • Renewing Your HI License
  • Taking Your HI Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your HI Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Hawaii or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Hawaii uses a graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which gives you certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you're under 18 and driving on your learner's permit, you can only drive:

  • If accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old.
  • Between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

If you're under 18 and driving on your provisional license, restrictions include:

  • Only one passenger under 18 years old who is not in your immediate family.
  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless:
    • Accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger 21 or older.

OR

  • Driving to and from:
    • School.
    • Work.
    • Church.

What happens after I pass my HI road test?

What happens after you pass your road test depends on your age.

  • If you're under 18: You'll be granted your Hawaii provisional license.
  • If you're 18 or older: You're granted your full Hawaii driver's license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

After receiving your permit, you'll be required to have a fully-licensed passenger who's at least 21 years old in the front seat.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No. Your photo will be taken at whichever HI Department of Motor Vehicles office you go to when you're issued your permit.

Once I get my HI permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your Hawaii instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 21 years old and fully licensed.

What Are the auto insurance requirements for Hawaii drivers?

Hawaii requires all motorists Are required to carry:

  • Bodily injury liability insurance that covers at least:
    • $20,000 per person.
    • $40,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability coverage for at least $10,000.
  • Personal Injury Protection coverage for at least $10,000.

How To Get A Hawaii Driver’ License

Hawaii is unique among the states for many reasons—and the way its DMV is organized is one.

While the general process for earning a driver’s license, motorcycle license or commercial driver’s license is the same across the state, some details (such as fee amounts, how to renew a license, or how to schedule a DMV appointment) may differ slightly from island to island.

While this guide will give you all the appropriate information to earn your license, you may want or need to check with your island’s DMV website for further specific details.

Hawaii Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) Program (Age 15 ½-17)

Hawaii’s DMV follows a system called the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program, which allocates certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you’re under 18 and applying for a first-time license in Hawaii, you must follow the GDL system.

Learner’s Permit

The first step toward getting a full driver’s license in Hawaii is getting a learner’s permit. But before you can start the process, you must:

Once the requirements have been met, schedule an appointment with the closest participating Department of Motor Vehicles office. You can find locations at the following links:

At this appointment, you’ll need to pass your written driving exam and a vision test in order to earn your permit. You’ll also have to bring in and fill out paperwork to complete the process, including:

Make sure a parent, legal guardian or certified driving instructor is with you. They’ll have to sign a consent form on your behalf.

Once the tests are passed, the paperwork filed, and the fees paid, you’ll be issued your learner’s permit. This will allow you to drive as long as:

  • You’re accompanied by someone who’s at least 21 years old and has their full license.
  • It’s between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

You’ll have to practice on your learner’s permit for at least 6 months before you can apply for the next step.

Provisional License

After practicing for a minimum of 6 months on your learner’s permit, you can apply for your provisional license. Earning this credential involves passing the driving skills exam, in which you’ll drive on actual Hawaii roads with an examiner.

Make another appointment with the DMV and bring:

You’ll also have to show up to this appointment with a licensed driver who’s 21 or older. The vehicle you test in must also have current, valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.
  • Inspection stickers.

After successfully passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your provisional license. Restrictions on this credential include:

  • Only 1 passenger under 18 years old who’s not part of your immediate family.
  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless you’re:
    • Accompanied by a fully licensed passenger who’s at least 21.
    • Driving to or from:
      • School.
      • Work.
      • Church.

Once again, you’ll need to practice on this license for at least 6 months before you can apply for your full license.

Full Driver’s License

Upgrading to your full license is simple. Just return to the DMV one last time and bring:

The state should then issue your full license. You’ll no longer have any restrictions. Congratulations!

Driver’s License (Age 18+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in Hawaii and you’re 18 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to take the written knowledge exam and pass a vision test.

Schedule an appointment with your closest participating DMV office. Contact information and locations can be found at the following links:

Once at the appointment, you’ll have to bring in and fill out certain paperwork, including:

Once the paperwork has been filed, the tests passed and the fees paid, you’ll be issued a driving permit. While practicing with this credential, you’ll need to be accompanied by someone age 21 or older who has their full license.

Road Skills Exam

If you’re 18 or older, there is no required waiting period to apply for your license. But in order to move on in the process, you will have to successfully pass the driving exam.

Schedule an appointment with the DMV and bring:

Note that you’ll have to show up to this appointment accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger age 21 or older. The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.
  • Inspection stickers.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your full driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to Hawaii!

If you’re new to the state, you’ll have to transfer your license as soon as you establish permanent residency.

To do so, schedule an appointment with your closest participating Department of Motor Vehicles office. Locations and contact information can be found at the following links:

At this appointment, make sure to bring:

Further requirements include:

  • Passing a vision test.
  • Having a clear driving status on the National Driver Registry.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new Hawaii license.

Hawaii DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

Hawaii Motorcycle License

To legally ride a motorcycle or moped in Hawaii, you’ll need a motorcycle license. To apply, you must be at least 16 years old.

Motorcycle Permit

The first step toward earning your Hawaii motorcycle license is getting your Hawaii motorcycle permit.

To do so, you’ll have to pass the written motorcycle knowledge exam. If you don’t yet have a driver’s license, you’ll also have to pass the state’s written driving exam.

Schedule an appointment with the closest participating DMV office. Locations and contact information can be found at the following links:

At this appointment, you’ll also have to:

  • Bring acceptable proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Hawaii address.
    • Social Security number.
  • Show your current, valid license, if applicable.
  • Complete an application for instruction permit.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Have a clear driving record on the National Driver Registry.
  • Pay the appropriate testing fees.

Completing the above will earn you your motorcycle permit. This will allow you to legally practice for your driving skills exam, but restrictions include:

  • No carrying passengers.
  • No driving after dark.

If you’re 18 or younger, there are a few additional requirements before you can apply for your motorcycle license, including:

  • Practicing for at least 90 days on your permit.
  • Passing a Department of Transportation-approved driver’s education program.
  • Earning a Behind-the-Wheel Student Completion Certificate.

Motorcycle License

To earn your full motorcycle license in Hawaii, you’ll have to successfully pass the road skills test. You can do this either:

If you opt for the course, you’ll simply have to report to the DMV after passing and bring:

  • The course completion certificate.
  • Acceptable proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Lawful status in the U.S.
    • Hawaii address.
    • Social Security number.
  • The motorcycle license fee.
  • A Driver’s Ed completion certificate, if 18 or younger.
  • A Behind-the-Wheel completion certificate, if 18 or younger.

If you choose to take the test through the DMV, you’ll need to bring the same documents listed above (minus the course completion certificate). You’ll also need to make sure the vehicle you test on has current, up-to-date:

  • Registration.
  • Insurance.
  • Inspection stickers.
  • License plates.

After successfully passing the test, paying the fee, and filing the paperwork, you’ll be issued your Hawaii motorcycle license. Congratulations!

Hawaii CDL Requirements

Hawaii Commercial Driver’s License

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) will allow you to drive larger vehicles and get paid for the pleasure. But before you can start the process in Hawaii, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • Already have a valid Hawaii driver’s license.
  • Pass a federally-mandated medical exam.
  • Order a 10-year driving history report.

Once the above is complete, you can begin the CDL process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first step toward getting your commercial driver’s license is getting your commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

Schedule an appointment with your closest CDL licensing office. Locations and contact information can be found at the following links:

At this appointment, you’ll need to:

  • Bring:
    • Your medical exam certification.
    • Your current, valid Hawaii driver’s license.
    • Proof of your:
      • Identity.
      • Hawaii residency.
      • Legal status in the United States.
      • Social Security number.
    • Your driving history report.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass the written knowledge exam.
  • Complete the Hawaii Commercial Driver’s Application form.
  • Pay the $30 permit fee.
  • Pay the $15 testing fee.

After the paperwork is filed, the fee paid and the tests passed, you’ll be issued your commercial learner’s permit.

This credential will be good for 6 months, and you may renew it once, for an additional 6 months. But before you can apply for your full CDL, you’ll have to practice for at least 14 days.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to take and pass the driving test. You can take the exam after you’ve had your permit for at least 14 days.

Schedule an appointment with your local CDL licensing office and bring:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Your current, valid Hawaii driver’s license.
  • Your current, valid medical certification.
  • The $50 testing fee.
  • Proof of your legal presence in the U.S.

You must arrive to this appointment in a commercial vehicle with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

The vehicle you test in must also have proof of current, valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.
  • Inspection stickers.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

Hawaii DMV Handbooks

Hawaii CDL Handbook

Hawaii CDL Handbook

Hawaii CDL Handbook
Hawaii Driver's License Handbook

Hawaii Driver's License Handbook

Hawaii Driver's License Handbook
Hawaii Motorcycle Handbook

Hawaii Motorcycle Handbook

Hawaii Motorcycle Handbook