DMV Hawaii · Fees, age, and practice test
Hawaii Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Start the free Hawaii practice testSourced procedural facts for Hawaii DMV, plus a free 216-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the Hawaii permit test cost?
Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee.
- Learner permit / application fee: $5 in the City and County of Honolulu; confirm your own county’s permit fee.
- Knowledge (written) test fee: Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee.
- Initial driver license fee: Honolulu: $20 for four years at ages 17-24; $40 for eight years at ages 25-71. Other ages and counties differ.
Source: Honolulu Dept. of Customer Services, Driver Licensing Division · Fee source checked 2026-10-05. Our 216-question Hawaii practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Your 3-stage Hawaii study path
- Stage 1: Study the sheets. Read the Hawaii cheat sheet for signs, numbers, and must-know rules.
- Stage 2: Drill topics. Run the free Hawaii practice test with instant explanations until weak topics turn green.
- Stage 3: Simulate the exam. Take the timed exam simulator under real test conditions.
Hawaii verified practice bank · 216 questions rev 2026-10-12-ca500
Before your Hawaii knowledge test
Cost details
- Honolulu's $2 written test and $5 permit are county prices. Its online test costs $12; other counties have different test fees. Official cost source
- Honolulu licenses cost $20 for ages 17-24 or $40 for ages 25-71; provisional and older-driver terms differ. Official cost source
Before you apply
These notes cover selected application steps. Check the linked official instructions for the full requirements for your situation.
- Select your correct county when registering for online testing; its test charge and processing office matter. Official application instructions
- In Honolulu, bring your online pass certificate to a licensing appointment within 60 days; minors also need the required parental consent forms. Official application instructions
Cost and application notes checked .
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
15 years and 6 months old
Knowledge test fee
Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee.
Permit fee
$5 in the City and County of Honolulu; confirm your own county’s permit fee.
Initial license fee
Honolulu: $20 for four years at ages 17-24; $40 for eight years at ages 25-71. Other ages and counties differ.
Questions on the knowledge test
30 question test with a one hour time limit (City and County of Honolulu online permit test)
Passing score
No more than 6 errors on the 30-question written examination, i.e. 24 of 30 correct (published by Maui County; Honolulu does not publish a passing score)
Retake fee
Honolulu online retest: $12; county and testing-channel fees differ.
Retake wait after failing
Honolulu’s online guidance requires seven days after a knowledge-test failure.
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
Honolulu lists driver licensing offices and uses the AlohaQ booking system; appointments recommended but not always required. Other counties run their own offices.
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
Riders under 18 must hold the permit 180 days and complete certified driver 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.
How much is the Hawaii permit test?
Hawaii knowledge test fee: Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee. (official source). Permit fee: $5 in the City and County of Honolulu; confirm your own county’s permit fee. (official source).
How many questions are on the Hawaii permit test?
The official Hawaii knowledge test: 30 question test with a one hour time limit (City and County of Honolulu online permit test) (official source). Passing score: No more than 6 errors on the 30-question written examination, i.e. 24 of 30 correct (published by Maui County; Honolulu does not publish a passing score) (official source).
Hawaii DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee. | source |
| Permit fee | $5 in the City and County of Honolulu; confirm your own county’s permit fee. | source |
| Initial license fee | Honolulu: $20 for four years at ages 17-24; $40 for eight years at ages 25-71. Other ages and counties differ. | source |
| Retake fee | Honolulu online retest: $12; county and testing-channel fees differ. | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Hawaii DMV practice test (216 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Hawaii driver license covers
Initial license fee: Honolulu: $20 for four years at ages 17-24; $40 for eight years at ages 25-71. Other ages and counties differ. (official source)
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. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Hawaii DMV site for exact card timelines.
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). Honolulu lists driver licensing offices and uses the AlohaQ booking system; appointments recommended but not always required. Other counties run their own offices.
Fees, retakes, and practice hours
Fees vary by county: Honolulu charges $2 in person or $12 online, before its separate $5 permit fee. If you fail the knowledge test: honolulu’s online guidance requires seven days after a knowledge-test failure.
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: riders under 18 must hold the permit 180 days and complete certified driver 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 216 questions across 9 topics
Test day: what to bring and where to go: a printable Hawaii checklist of the documents for the permit test, plus the official office finder and appointment links.
Study the handbook, chapter by chapter: 23 free lessons that boil the Hawaii driver manual down to the rules and exact numbers on the test, each quoted with its page.
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