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 500-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
Free Hawaii DMV practice test with 500 practice questions written from the official Hawaii Driver's Manual, each with an explanation and a handbook page citation. No signup and no ads. The Hawaii permit test has 30 questions (City and County of Honolulu online permit test); Maui County publishes a pass mark of 24 correct, no more than 6 errors, and Honolulu does not publish a passing score. Page updated 2026-10-27.
Also here: exam simulator in the real test format, flashcards for the whole bank, a one-page cheat sheet, handbook lessons, chapter by chapter, and audio read-aloud for questions.
How many questions are on the Hawaii permit test?
The Hawaii permit test has 30 questions (City and County of Honolulu online permit test); Maui County publishes a pass mark of 24 correct, no more than 6 errors, and Honolulu does not publish a passing score.
See the official source 1, official source 2 · Checked 2026-10-18 against the official text on file.
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.
- 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 500-question Hawaii practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Is the Hawaii permit test hard?
Maui County allows no more than 6 errors on the 30 question test; Honolulu does not publish a passing score.
Every question comes from the Hawaii Driver's Manual, so reading it and practicing until you pass consistently is the most direct preparation.
What do I need to bring to the Hawaii DMV for a permit?
The official Hawaii checklist for a permit has 8 items, covering application, identity, Social Security number, residency, fees and vision test.
Who this list covers: City and County of Honolulu only: first regular Class 3 instruction permit for U.S.-citizen residents age 18 or older with an assigned Social Security number, using the REAL ID document pathway and testing in person. Other Hawaii counties, minors, noncitizens and limited-purpose permits have separate requirements.
- Complete the driver-license application and book AlohaQ
- Bring one document proving legal presence, legal name and birth date
- Use valid originals or certified, unexpired documents
- Bring connecting documents for any name differences
- Provide your Social Security number
- Bring two Hawaii address proofs from different entities
- Bring payment for the written test and instruction permit
- Be ready for eyesight and knowledge testing
Source: official Hawaii document list · Checked 2026-10-05. Conditions and exceptions for each item are on the full printable checklist, with a source for every item.
Practice the Hawaii permit test now
500 questions written from the official Hawaii driver manual. Free, no signup, with an explanation and the manual quote for every answer.
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 graded practice conditions.
Hawaii verified practice bank · 500 questions · Page updated 2026-10-27
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
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.
Hawaii DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | 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 (500 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
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 500 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.
The Hawaii questions learners miss most: ranked from anonymous first-attempt answers on this site, each with the correct answer and its handbook lesson.
One Hawaii permit test question a day
A free email each morning with one real practice question, the answer at the bottom, and the manual page it comes from. Confirm by email first; unsubscribe in one click.