DMV Hawaii · Facts and practice test
Hawaii DMV: age, fees, test facts
Sourced procedural facts for Hawaii DMV, plus a free 80-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years and 6 months old
Knowledge test fee
Written/knowledge test fee is $2; separate instruction permit issuance fee is $5
Retake wait after failing
Must wait 7 days before retaking the knowledge test after failing
Documents to bring
Documents proving legal presence, legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residency (SSN documentation optional as of 2021)
Find an office / appointment
Each county runs its own Driver Licensing/Motor Vehicle office locator and booking (e.g., Honolulu's AlohaQ system). Appointments recommended, not always required.
REAL ID status
REAL ID requires in-person application with proof of identity, DOB, SSN, legal presence, and Hawaii residence address; matching names across documents. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Class 2 license at 17+ (instruction permit at 15.5+); under 18 must hold permit 180 days and complete certified driver's education
Commercial license (CDL)
21 minimum for both intrastate and interstate; Hawaii does not issue CDLs to 18-20 year olds
Official source: Honolulu Dept. of Customer Services, Driver Licensing Division
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Hawaii County DMVs (decentralized, Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai counties) site.
Getting a license in Hawaii
Getting your first permit
In Hawaii, the minimum permit age is 15 years and 6 months old. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: documents proving legal presence, legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residency (SSN documentation optional as of 2021). Each county runs its own Driver Licensing/Motor Vehicle office locator and booking (e.g., Honolulu's AlohaQ system). Appointments recommended, not always required.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
Written/knowledge test fee is $2; separate instruction permit issuance fee is $5. If you fail the knowledge test: must wait 7 days before retaking the knowledge test after failing.
REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL
REAL ID requires in-person application with proof of identity, DOB, SSN, legal presence, and Hawaii residence address; matching names across documents. Federal enforcement began May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: class 2 license at 17+ (instruction permit at 15.5+); under 18 must hold permit 180 days and complete certified driver's education. For a commercial license (CDL): 21 minimum for both intrastate and interstate; Hawaii does not issue CDLs to 18-20 year olds.
The Hawaii bank has 80 questions across 6 topics
Passed? Don't forget insurance
New drivers in the household need to be added to the policy, and shopping several carriers is the best way to keep the cost down, wherever you live.