How to Get a Hawaii Driver’s License

Hawaii has a Graduated Driver License program, or GDL, that will give you time to learn how to drive in a controlled way. There are three stages to this program, from no license to full license.

You can start the Hawaii GDL process by getting your instructional permit at 15 and 6 months. Hold it for 6 months and complete a driver education course and you can get your provisional license at 16. Drive with it for at least 6 months, and you’re eligible for your full license when you turn 17.

The steps below have the details you’ll need to know to get your full, unrestricted Hawaii driver’s license.

Get your Hawaii instructional permit

You can start the process to get your Hawaii driver’s license at 15 years and 6 months old. To get ready for driving, you can download the Hawaii Driver’s Manual and start reading through it. At your local Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) location, you’ll need to fill out an application, bring in proof of identity, and pay a fee of $10 by cash or check.

You will be given an official paper which is your Hawaii instructional permit. You’ll need to have that with you every time you’re behind the wheel.

You must have your permit for at least 6 months before you can apply for a regular license. During that time, you’ll need to have 50 hours driving practice with 10 hours of those being at night. There are also limits to your permit and they are

• You must be seated next to a person who is at least 21 years of age and licensed to operate the same type of motor vehicle. However, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., the supervising parent or guardian must be seated next to the minor driver.
• You must have all occupants wear their seatbelts and children under 4 years of age be properly restrained within a child safety seat in compliance with Hawaii State law.

This is the point also where you’ll need to get driving instruction. The options for this include parent or guardian, or responsible adult 21 years or older as well as a Hawaii DOT approved driver education course which includes 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and which cannot be completed in less than 6 weeks.

When you’re ready to start your driving journey, find a driving school near you to get started.

Once you’ve completed the required amount of instruction, you can apply for your driver’s license.

Get your Hawaii provisional license

Receiving your HI provisional license requires that you’ve completed certain requirements. Those are reaching the age of 16 and completing a Hawaii DOT approved driver education course.

Driving Skills Test: You will be required to pass a driving test with a HDOT evaluator who will make sure you can perform basic driving tasks safely.

Before you take it, you should check out the Top 10 Automatic Fails on Driver Tests, so you’ll know what not to do on test day.

Vision Test: You will need to take a vision test. If you need glasses be sure you’re wearing them.

The application fee for your license is $15. This includes the Drivers test fee $10 and the license fee of $5.

Your license will be mailed to you and will have your photograph on it. They take your picture the day you pass your driving skills test. This license will come with the following restrictions:

• Must have in your immediate possession your Hawaii provisional driver’s license;
• Have all occupants wear their seat belts and children under 4 years of age be properly restrained within a child safety seat in compliance with Hawaii State law;

Passenger Restrictions

• The provisional licensee driver shall not transport more than one person below the age of eighteen (18) without being accompanied by a licensed driver that is the provisional licensee’s parent or guardian, unless that person is a household member.

As you continue to learn how to operate a motor vehicle in different conditions, there are certain hours when you won’t be able to drive. Those are:

• The provisional licensee driver shall not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied by either a parent or guardian that is licensed to drive the same type of motor vehicle and is seated in the passenger seat beside the licensee.
• The person granted a provisional driver’s license may drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a licensed parent or guardian in the motor vehicle only under the following conditions:
• Traveling to or from the licensee’s place of employment, where the operation of a motor vehicle is necessary for that purpose. The provisional licensee shall keep in his or her possession a signed statement from the employer containing the employer’s: name, address, telephone number, and verification of employment and work hours.
• Traveling to or from a school-authorized activity, where the operation of a motor vehicle is necessary for that purpose, and the provisional licensee shall keep in his or her possession a signed statement from a parent or guardian containing the parent’s or guardian’s: name, address, telephone number and verification that the operation of the motor vehicle by the licensee is necessary to travel to or from the school-authorized activity;
• Provided that under a and b above, the provisional licensee shall not transport more than one person under the age of eighteen (18) between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without being accompanied by the licensed parent or guardian of the provisional licensee.

Get your full unrestricted HI driver’s license

At a certain point, the state feels that you’ve been able to receive enough supervised driving experience that you can go out on your own. Therefore, once you reach age 17 and have had your restricted license for at least 6 months, you can get your full license.

This means that previous restrictions are lifted. However, you will not receive an updated license until that one expires. After you renew your license, you will receive your full, unrestricted license in the mail.

Whether you’ve just finished your Hawaii graduated licensing process, or are just starting out, you might also want to consider a telematic companion application to better understand your driving habits, and how to improve them.

The best option is the DriverZ Virtual Coach. Download it today to sharpen your S.P.I.D.E.R.Senses™ to build the driving skills that will keep you safe for a lifetime, track your supervised driving hours, and access bespoke driver training based on your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some other details which are good to know as you start out on your HI graduated licensing journey.

Can I drive in Hawaii with an out-of-state learner’s permit?

The state of Hawaii does not allow driving with out-of-state learner’s permits. If you’re new to Hawaii, and within the graduated licensing age range, you will have to apply for a Hawaii learner’s permit

My HI provisional license expires on a weekend or holiday, can I convert it to a license after it’s expired?

If your Hawaii provisional license expires on a weekend or a holiday, you will have to complete the conversion process by getting your full, unrestricted Hawaii driver’s license before your provisional license expires.

Hawaii Department of Transportation information

For comprehensive information on everything related to the Hawaii graduated licensing program, visit the Hawaii Department of Transportation You can also call 1-808-692-7670

Prepare for your license journey by reviewing the Hawaii Driver’s Manual, and taking a few practice tests.