General Requirements for All Applicants (Class 1-4)

(New, Renewal and Duplicate Licenses and Instruction Permits)

Proof of Name, Birth Date, Etc.

You must provide at least one of the following: a certified birth certificate, certified marriage certificate, certified decree of name changes, state or military identification card, or alien/refugee registration identification. Photocopies are not acceptable!

Proof of Social Security Number

You must provide proof of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, a previous driver’s license that displays a Social Security number, or a state or military identification card that displays a Social Security number. Photocopies are not acceptable!

Number of Driver Licenses

You must turn over all valid driver licenses in your possession in order to obtain a State of Hawaii driver’s license. No driver is permitted to hold more than one valid driver license at any time. 

Ineligibility 

You will not be issued a driver license if:

Requirements for Application of Commercial Driver's License

Hawaii Revised Statutes §286-238 (a) requires all applicants to provide proof of residency. Proof must contain the address of applicant’s principal residence within the State of Hawaii. The following are acceptable documents:

·          Hawaii vehicle registration or title issued at least thirty days before the application date;
·          Voter registration card;
·          Utility bill;
·          Checking or savings account statement not more than two months old;
·          Payroll check or check stub issued by an employer within two months of the application date;
·          Mortgage account or proof of home ownership;
·          Residential rental contract (agreement);
·          School identification or document;
·          United States income tax return from the previous year;
·          Hawaii income tax return from the previous year;
·          Receipt for personal property taxes paid to a county within the State of Hawaii within the last year;

Quick CDL Checklist:* All documents must be certified and original; no photo/copies are accepted.

___ Proof of Citizenship*
___ Social Security Card*
___ Proof of Residency
___ State DOT Physical
___ HME Clearance Letter (if done in another state)
___ 2x2 Color Photo

Commercial Driver License Permits are issued only once and may not exceed one year. You must apply as a new applicant by taking all required written exams thereafter.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE ROAD TEST INSTRUCTIONS:
Commercial vehicle practical tests are by appointment only. South Hilo tests are held on Monday, Thursday, Friday at the area fronting Civil Air Patrol on the way to Hilo International Airport. Call 808-961-2224 to schedule tests. Cancellations should be made 24 hours prior to scheduled time. Examiners will allow 15 minutes after scheduled appointment for late arrivals and will allow applicants to test with the remaining time for that particular vehicle. The applicant must bring the following documents to the site.

• A valid Hawaii Driver License.
• A valid permit for class A, B, C or 4 including proper endorsements.
• A valid DOT physical certificate.
• Original certificate of registration.
• Original safety inspection certificate.
• Original motor vehicle insurance identification card or self-insured certificate.

Commercial vehicles that are exempt from DOT vehicle inspection must present the DOT exemption form.
A license driver with the same class of license or higher with proper endorsements and valid DOT physical certificate must accompany applicant to the test site. License driver must present same documents to examiner prior to testing.
Proper attire must be worn for testing. NO SLIPPERS!

1. A certified copy of the minor's birth certificate is required to establish proof of age and to determine who may sign the parental consent.
2. Permit applications by minors must be signed by both parents or, when applicable, by the certified custodial parent or certified custodial guardian. (Only certified copies of court documents are acceptable.)
3. For parental name changes, certified documents must be presented upon signing for minor.
4. The adult spouse of a minor applicant may sign the license application with proof of age and a certified copy of the marriage certificate.
5. Minors who are legally emancipated may sign license applications upon presentation of the certified court document that granted emancipation.
6. The minimum age to acquire a permit is 15 1/2, and the minimum age to acquire a license is 16. Before taking a road test, minors ages 16 through 17 must pass and present certificates of completion of mandatory driver education and behind-the-wheel training from an instructor authorized by the State Department of Transportation.
7. Provisional licenses will expire on your 19th birthday. You will be required to apply as a new applicant if your provisional license expires.
8. Under a new law that went into effect July 1, 2007, a license (including a duplicate license) will not be issued to anyone under age 18 who has pending violations or proceedings that might lead to the suspension or revocation of the license, or to any minor who has any pending court cases relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. All minors with any pending violations or court cases must obtain a Referral Slip. The Referral Slip may be picked up from the driver license office to be submitted to District Court so the court can provide a Status Letter indicating that the minor has no disqualifying violations, proceedings or pending cases. To qualify for a provisional license, the minor must return to the driver license office with the Status Letter within 30 days of issuance from the District Court.

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Adult Applicants (ages 18 through 71)

New licenses and renewals will expire on your sixth birthday following the date the license is issued.

Senior Applicants (ages 72 or older)

New licenses and renewals will expire on your second birthday following the date the license is issued.

1. You must obtain an instruction permit as a first step to qualify for a new driver’s license.
2. The examiner of drivers will test: your eyesight and determine if you possess the physical and mental capabilities to safely operate a motor vehicle; your understanding of highway signs regulating, warning and directing traffic; and your knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances or regulations of the State and County of Hawaii.
3. If the examiner of drivers is satisfied that you are qualified to receive an instruction permit, the examiner will issue a Class 3 permit to you. The permit is valid for one year and may not be renewed by mail.
4. When operating a motor vehicle, you must be accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old and licensed to operate the category of motor vehicle being operated. The licensed person must occupy a seat as near to you as is practical while the motor vehicle is being operated.

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• A current and valid Hawaii instructional permit is one of the required documents that must be presented on the day of the road test.
• Applicants must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older. That person must be present when the applicant is called by the examiner for the road test and until the completion of the road test.
• Current Hawaii motor vehicle insurance identification card in accordance with Section 431:10C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes. NOTE: The name(s) and vehicle identification number on the insurance card must be the same as shown on the Certificate of Registration.
• The vehicle must meet all safety inspection standards by having the current Vehicle Inspection Certificate and inspection decals present on the vehicle.
• New vehicles must have the 1) sales contract; 2) current temporary license plate attached to the vehicle; 3) Certificate of Vehicle Inspection Certificate/decals; and 4) Hawaii motor vehicle insurance identification card.
• Use of company vehicle for road test: A letter (on company letterhead) authorizing the named applicant the use of a company vehicle for the road test, signed by an officer or authorized person of the company. The letter shall include the applicant's name, vehicle description (license plate number, make and Vehicle Identification Number) and date used for the road test.
• Applicants under the age of 18 must also present the original State of Hawaii Driver Education Certificates of Completion for BOTH classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, and the Juvenile Provisional License Status Letter for any pending violations or court cases.
• Holders of valid foreign driver licenses of a participating country of the "1943 and 1949 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic And Convention on the Regulation o Inter-American Automotive Traffic," respectively, must present a valid international driving permit or a valid passport, i.e., stamped by the I.N.S. with an entry date of less than one year into the United States of America at the time of the road test.
• Photocopies, internet printouts and facsimile copies are not acceptable for the aforementioned documents.

Outstanding Violations or Juveniles With Pending Violations/Court Cases Note: Applicants' records are electronically checked against the State Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) file to ensure compliance. All outstanding violations must be cleared with the State Traffic Violations Bureau before you can obtain a driver's license. For information on clearing your driving record, please contact the State Traffic Violations Bureau at 75 Aupuni Street, Room 205, in Hilo. Telephone number is 961-7470.

*Required for minor only.

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1. Submit to written exam, eye test and fingerprinting.
2. Payment of fees and photographing.
3. Road test (may be waived).
4. Must be 18 years of age or older.

1. Report to processing station for application.
2. Eye test and fingerprinting.
3. Payment of fees and photographing.

Renewing License While Out of State

You may renew your Hawaii driver’s license while living out of state.

To do so, you must mail or fax a letter of request to the Driver Licensing Section. The letter must include:

• Your name as it appears on your current driver’s license.
• Your Social Security or driver’s license number.
• Your date of birth.
• A phone number where you can be reached.
• An address where you can receive mail.
• Your signature.

Note: We are unable to renew or provide a duplicate commercial driver license by mail.

After receiving a letter of request with all the information listed above, the Driver Licensing Section will send you a renewal packet for you to fill out and return.

If you are in the military and are ordered to a war zone, you may have your Hawaii driver’s license automatically extended. The extension is valid until 30 days after you return to Hawaii. To apply for an extension, you must mail or fax a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer to the Driver Licensing Section.

Requests for license renewals or extensions may be mailed or faxed. The address and fax number are:

Department of Finance
Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division
Driver License Section
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720

Failure to Renew License

If you fail to renew your driver's license by its expiration date, you can be cited for driving without a license and you must appear in court. If your license does expire without being renewed, the folllowing time limits apply for the renewal of your license. You must not drive with an expired license.

1. You will have 90 days after the expiration date to renew your license.
2. After 90 days and up to one year, you will be assessed a fee of $5 for every 30 day period or portion thereof.
3. After one year, you will be considered a new applicant. You must take the written and driving tests again.

Directory of Driver Licensing Stations