Every state has its own set of driver’s license requirements and steps.
Not only that, but in Hawaii, each county has separate requirements, fees, etc.
If you’re new to all these, it can become very confusing.
We’re here to help.
If you’re from Hawaii, we’ll walk you through the ENTIRE process. We’ll give you a complete guide on how to get a driver’s license in Hawaii. Yes, we’ll include the different requirements for each county, too.
Plus, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
This way, you know exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.
So buckle up and let’s go!
Hawaii Driver’s License Requirements
In Hawaii, if you’re 18 years old and above, you can proceed with the application for a full driver’s license. But if you start at 15½ -17½ years old, you need to go through the 3-Stage Graduated Licensing Program, which includes:
- Applying for an Instruction Permit
- Getting a Provisional License
- Upgrading to a Full (Adult) License
Let’s go through each stage in detail. We’ll also talk about the steps for those 18+ applying for a first driver’s license.
How to Get An Instruction Permit in Hawaii
First up, you need to get your instruction permit. Now, everyone above 15½ and below 18 years old is required to get this. For those over 18, holding this permit is only required in Honolulu and Kauai.
That said, here are the steps to get an Instruction Permit in Hawaii:
- Print the license application form and fill it up before going to a DMV office. Here are the downloadable forms in each county:
- Go to a DMV office near you. NOTE: not all DMV offices in Hawaii issue instruction permits, so you have to call and ask to be sure. You should also ask if appointments must be made.
- Submit these required documents:
- Documents showing your identity, legal name, and date of birth
- Birth certificate
- Social Security Number
- Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
- 2 proofs of permanent residency in Hawaii
- The application form
Click here for acceptable documents in Hawaii
- Have your parent(s) or legal guardian fill up and sign a parent/guardian consent. They must sign it in front of a DMV representative OR have it notarized (notarization is not allowed in Kauai). Here are the downloadable forms depending on your county:
- Take and pass a vision test.
- Pay the necessary fees. Here’s a table showing you all the fees in each county.
| County | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| Application fee: | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Written test fee: | $1 | $2 | $2 | $5 |
| Instruction permit fee: | $10 | $5 | $10 | $10 |
- Take and pass the written test. NOTE: you can prepare for the written exam by reviewing the Hawaii Driver’s Manual.
- Have your picture taken
After completing all these steps, you will be given a temporary instruction permit. You have to wait 2-4 weeks to get your plastic instruction permit.
Now, once you have your permit, you are allowed to drive with a licensed driver above 21 years old in the front seat.
Also, if you drive anywhere between 11 pm and 5 am, the supervised driver must be your parent or legal guardian.
How to Get A Provisional License in Hawaii
Next up is your Provisional License. To get this, you need to:
- Hold your Instruction Permit for at least 6 months.
- Have no license suspensions.
- Complete a state-approved driver’s ed course consisting of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
- Schedule a road test appointment at your nearest DMV office. Again, not all offices accommodate road tests, so you have to call and ask. You also need to call to schedule an appointment.
- Submit these necessary documents:
- Your valid Instruction Permit
- Certificates of Completion (for the classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training)
- 2 proofs of legal presence in the US
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of liability insurance for the vehicle
- Safety vehicle inspection form
- Pay necessary fees. Here’s a table showing you all the fees in each county.
| County | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| Application fee: | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Road test fee: | $10 | $8 | $10 | $20 |
| Provisional License fee (per year): | $5 | $5 | $4 | $5 |
- Take and pass the road test.
Now you have a Provisional License!
With this, you’ll be able to drive unsupervised. However, there are still a few restrictions:
- You are not allowed to drive between the hours of 11 pm to 5 am. The only exception to this is if you have a signed statement to drive to and from work or school at those times.
- You are not allowed to have more than 1 passenger who is not part of your immediate family and is younger than 18 years old
How to Get A Full License in Hawaii
If you’ve completed the 3-Stage Driver Licensing Program in Hawaii, then here’s how to get a full license:
- Hold your Provisional License for at least 6 months
- Have no traffic violations
- Be at least 18 years old
- Go to a DMV office near you that issues driver’s licenses.
- Submit these documents:
- Provisional License
- 2 proofs of legal presence in Hawaii
- Name change documents (if applicable)
- Pay the necessary fees. Check the table below for each county fee:
| County | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| Application fee: | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| 1-year license: | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 4-year license: | $20 | $20 | $16 | $20 |
Pricing as of July 2022
- Get your full driver’s license
And there you have it!
You are now a fully licensed driver in Hawaii.
Congrats!
What if you’re already 18+ and just getting your first license?
As we mentioned, you can go straight to getting a full driver’s license. That said, the counties of Honolulu and Kauai require you to get an Instruction Permit first, regardless of your age.
Here are the steps to get a license at 18+ in Hawaii:
- Prepare the following documents and submit them to your DMV Office:
- Documents showing your identity, legal name, and date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Proof of US citizenship or legal presence in the US
- 2 proofs of permanent residency in Hawaii
- The application form
- Take and pass the vision test.
- Pay the necessary fees:
| County | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| Application fee: | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Written test fee: | $1 | $2 | $2 | $5 |
| Instruction permit fee: | N/A | $5 | $10 | N/A |
- Take and pass the written test
- Have your picture taken
- Get your Instruction Permit (for Honolulu and Kauai only). For 18+, you NO longer need to hold your permit for 6 months. You can take the road test whenever you’re ready.
- Schedule a road test appointment.
- Pay the necessary fees:
| County | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| Application fee: | $1 | $1 | $1 | $1 |
| Road test fee: | $10 | $8 | $10 | $20 |
| 1-year license: | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 4-year license: | $20 | $20 | $16 | $20 |
- Take and pass the road test
- Get your Full Driver’s License
For adults, it’s just a combination of all the steps in one go.
Frequently Asked Questions
As promised, here’s an FAQ section for other information about getting your driver’s license in Hawaii.
How many questions are in the written exam?
The exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. You need to get 24 questions correctly to pass.
What happens if you fail the written exam?
You will be allowed to retake the exam after 7 days. You also need to pay the exam fees again.
How long does it take to get a license in Hawaii?
If you’re below 18 years old, it will take at least a year as you need to hold your Instruction Permit and Provisional License for 180 days each.
Those who are 18 years old and above and are applying for the first time can get their license in a month.
Conclusion
So that was how to get a driver’s license in Hawaii.
As you can see, there are a few differences between the counties. But overall, the requirements are steps are the same.
If you want to start working on your driver’s license at a young age, you need to complete Hawaii’s 3-Stage Driver Licensing Program. This requires you to go through an Instruction Permit, Provisional License, and Full License.
As for those above 18 years old, you can go straight to a Full License (except for in Honolulu and Kauai).
Now that you know the Hawaii driver’s license requirements, what are you waiting for?
You can get started right away!
Good luck!