Hawaii · county DMV

How to get your CDL permit in Hawaii

In Hawaii you must be 21 and live in the state to get a commercial learner's permit (CLP), which you apply for at your county driver licensing office. The permit lasts 180 days and can be renewed once.

Last checked September 26, 2026 against official county DMV sources

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Minimum age: 21 for any CDL
Permit fee: $30
Permit valid for: 180 days, renewable once
Wait before road test: 14 days
Knowledge test language: Not published
Passing score: 80%

Step by step

1Make sure you are at least 21, hold a current Hawaii driver's license, and live in Hawaii.
2Get a DOT physical from a medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
3Gather your documents: proof of citizenship or legal presence, Social Security proof, and two proofs of your Hawaii address.
4Visit your county driver licensing office, fill out the CDL application, and self-certify the type of driving you will do.
5Pass the vision test, the General Knowledge test, and any class or endorsement tests you need.
6Pay the $30 permit fee, then practice only with a qualified CDL holder for at least 14 days.
7Finish Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with a registered provider before you schedule your road test.
8Schedule and prepay your $50 skills test in person, then pass all three parts in one appointment.

What to bring

Your current Hawaii driver's license
Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, such as a passport or birth certificate
Social Security card or an SSA verification letter
Two documents showing your Hawaii home address (plus mailing address if different)
Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate
Completed CDL application

Medical card

You self-certify the type of commercial driving you will do on your CDL application. Bring a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate from a National Registry examiner when you apply for your CLP and when you take your skills test.

Fees

Commercial learner's permit applicationCounties set their own fee charts, so amounts may differ slightly.	$30
General Knowledge testCharged whether you pass or fail.	$15
Each endorsement or special knowledge testCharged whether you pass or fail.	$5
Skills (road) testPaid in advance to schedule; not refunded if you fail.	$50
CDL, 8-year license (ages 25-71)Hawaii County price; shorter terms cost less.	$40

Fees change. Confirm the current amount with county DMV before you go.

The tests you'll take

General Knowledge (everyone)
Air Brakes (if your truck has air brakes)
Combination Vehicles (Class A)
Endorsement tests such as Passenger, School Bus, Tank, Doubles/Triples or HazMat, if you want them

Testing in Hawaii

A vision test is required for the permit.
Knowledge test fees are charged whether you pass or fail.
You must pass all three parts of the skills test at the same appointment.
If you refuse or fail to follow the examiner's instructions on the skills test, you must wait at least 7 days to retest.

Study for these tests in the Hawaii classroom

Good to know in Hawaii

Hawaii requires you to be 21 for any CDL, even for driving only within the state.
Each county (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii County, Kauai) runs its own licensing office and fee chart.
Your CLP lasts 180 days and can be renewed once for another 180 days without retaking the knowledge tests.

Non-domiciled applicants

Hawaii's manual requires CLP applicants to live in Hawaii. We found no Hawaii guidance on non-domiciled permits under the 2026 federal rule.

Confirm with county DMV before you go

We couldn't confirm these from official sources, so we left them out rather than guess:

Which languages the knowledge tests are offered in. Ask your county office.
How long you must wait to retake a failed knowledge test.
Whether knowledge tests need an appointment or allow walk-ins.
The vision standard you must meet.
Whether your medical card now reaches the state electronically or you must still bring a paper copy. Bring it to be safe.
Honolulu's exact fees, which may differ from Hawaii County's.
A 2026 bill (HB1696) that could let 18-year-olds drive in-state with an apprenticeship. Its status is unconfirmed.

Federal rules that apply in every state(show)

Age: You can get a CLP at 18, but until you turn 21 you can only drive a commercial vehicle inside your own state. Hauling hazmat requires you to be 21.
Knowledge tests: Everyone takes General Knowledge. Class A adds Combination Vehicles, and anyone driving a truck with air brakes takes Air Brakes. You need at least 80% on each test.
14-day wait: You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills (road) test. Some states make you wait longer.
Driving on a CLP: A CDL holder with the right class and endorsements must sit in the front seat whenever you drive. Hazmat is never allowed on a CLP. With a passenger or school bus permit you can't carry passengers, and with a tank permit the tank must be empty.
Entry-Level Driver Training: You must finish ELDT with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before your Class A or B skills test. You do not need it to get the permit itself.
Medical card: You self-certify the kind of driving you will do. Most new drivers are 'non-excepted interstate' and need a DOT physical from a certified medical examiner, who now sends the results to your state electronically.
Clearinghouse check: Before issuing a CLP, your state checks FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. A 'prohibited' status blocks the permit until return-to-duty is complete.

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Official sources

This page is a study aid, not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with Hawaii Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Safety Office (permits issued by county driver licensing offices). Rules and fees change, so always check with county DMV before you apply.