Hawaii driver license guide

Minimum age for an instruction permit

15 years and 6 months.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit and test fees (Oahu)

$5 instruction permit plus a $2 written-test fee at a Driver Licensing Center. The online test costs $12 on Oahu instead.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online test fees by county

Online permit test: $12 Honolulu, $11 Hawaii County, $20 Kauai County, $25 Maui County. Each includes a $10 transaction fee.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Parental consent (under 18)

A parental consent affidavit, signed by both custodial parents (or the custodial parent or guardian), either notarized or signed in person in front of licensing staff. Signers share liability.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

How long the permit is valid

One year. It can be renewed from 30 days before to 90 days after it expires. After that, you retake the written test.Source: vrl.hawaiicounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Renewing a permit

Renew for another year no sooner than 30 days before expiration. Minors who renew 31-90 days late must wait 180 days from the renewal for a road test.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit holding period (under 18)

At least 180 days before a provisional license.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Instruction permit restrictions

A licensed driver 21 or older (licensed for the same vehicle type) must sit beside you. From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., minors need a parent or guardian beside them. Everyone must be belted.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Minors driving in these hours must have a supervising parent or guardian in the seat beside them.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Written test questions

30 multiple-choice questions based on the Hawaii Driver's Manual.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Passing score

No more than 6 errors, so at least 24 of 30 correct (per Maui County).Source: mauicounty.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

If you fail the written test

Wait 7 days and pay the test fee again.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online test attempts

Unlimited, but no more than twice a day.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online permit test

Take the Class 3 test online (computer with webcam, no phones or tablets), then book a licensing center visit within 60 days. Under-18s need an adult over 21 at registration.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Test languages

The online test is in English and Spanish, with a one-hour limit. An oral test is available at the Kapalama Driver Licensing Center for $10.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Eye test

An eye test is given when you apply for the permit and again for each license. The pages read do not state a minimum acuity for a car license.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Documents for a permit

A completed application, a certified birth certificate, your Social Security number and two proofs of Hawaii address. Under-18s may use a parent's address documents.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Originals only

All documents must be originals or certified copies.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Appointment needed (Oahu)

Yes. Every in-office license or ID visit on Oahu is booked through AlohaQ. In-person written tests run only on certain days at each center.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver education (under 18)

A state-certified driver education course plus behind-the-wheel training, with both certificates, before the provisional license.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised practice

No hour count is stated. Honolulu tells 16-17-year-olds to practice for six months.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Provisional license

Ages 16-17, after 180 days on the permit, driver ed and a road test. It expires on your 19th birthday.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Provisional passenger limit

No more than one passenger under 18 (household members excepted) unless a licensed parent or guardian is along.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Provisional curfew

No driving 11 p.m.-5 a.m. without a licensed parent or guardian, except to or from work or school activities, with a signed statement.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Full license from provisional

At age 17 or older, after 6 months on the provisional license with no pending violations. Pass the eye test and pay the fee.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Road test booking (Oahu)

By appointment only, no walk-in standby. There is a non-refundable $8 fee, paid online.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Road test fee (Oahu)

$8, non-refundable.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Missed road test

If you no-show or arrive late, you lose the fee and can't book again for 60 days.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Who comes to the road test

A licensed driver 21 or older must come with you, with a registered, insured and inspected vehicle.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

License length (Oahu)

8 years for ages 25-71, 4 years for ages 17-24. Kupuna licenses: 4 years for ages 72-79 and 2 years at 80+.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Renewal fee (Oahu)

$40 for 8 years (25-71), $20 for 4 years (17-24 or Kupuna), $10 for 2 years (72+).Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Kupuna (72+) license

Drivers 72-79 renew for 4 years and drivers 80+ for 2 years. A medical report may be required.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

When you can renew

Up to six months before the expiration date.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Grace period

90 days after expiration with no penalty.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Late fee

After the 90-day grace period, $5 per month (or part month). More than one year expired means retaking the written and road tests.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online / mail renewal (Oahu)

Honolulu lists no online driver license renewal. You renew in person by AlohaQ appointment. Mail renewal is only for eligible drivers who are out of state.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

REAL ID

Hawaii REAL ID cards have a star. You may hold only one REAL ID card: a license or a state ID, not both. Temporary paper documents are not accepted for flying.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

REAL ID fee

No extra fee at a new license or renewal. Adding the star mid-cycle counts as a duplicate ($6 in person, $7 online).Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Social Security documents

Since June 18, 2021, showing Social Security documents is optional.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Limited Purpose license

Available without proof of legal presence or Social Security number, but it is not REAL ID and can't be used for flights or federal buildings.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

New residents

State law exempts drivers 18 or older carrying a valid license from another U.S. state, territory or Canadian province. No transfer deadline was found on official pages.Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Tests for new residents

With a valid U.S., territory or Canadian license, you only pass a vision test to get a comparable Hawaii license. Out-of-state transfers require age 18+.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Expired or lost out-of-state license

It can't be transferred. You must pass the written and road tests.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Duplicate license fee (Oahu)

$6 in person or by mail, $7 online.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permanent card delivery

You get a temporary paper license. The plastic card is mailed within about five weeks, and only to a Hawaii address.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver's Manual

The HIDOT Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023 edition) is the study source for the written test.Source: hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

These links open official government websites. USA DMV is an independent study site and is not affiliated with any of them.