Hawaii Permit Test FAQ

The Hawaii knowledge test has 30 questions, and you need 24 right (80%) to pass. Our full practice exam uses the same size and pass mark. Always confirm the current test with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

No. Driver licensing is run by the four counties (the City and County of Honolulu, and Hawaii, Maui and Kauai counties), but every county gives the same 30-question multiple-choice test on the statewide Hawaii Driver's Manual. What differs is local: office locations, appointment systems and fees. If you take the test online, choose the county where you will apply for your permit, because the certificate of completion is tied to that county. (County of Maui: Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing)

Yes, for the Class 3 (car) permit only, not motorcycles. You need a desktop or laptop computer with a mouse, keyboard and working webcam; phones, tablets and touch screens aren't allowed. The 30 questions come in English or Spanish, can be read aloud, and you have one hour. Under 18, an adult over 21 joins the registration and stays out of the camera's view. Looking away from the screen three times ends the attempt. After passing, book a driver licensing center visit within 60 days to finish the permit. (City and County of Honolulu: Online Learner's Permit Test)

More than six wrong answers out of 30 is a fail. You then wait seven days before trying again, and the test fee is charged again each time. (County of Kauai: Instructional Permits)

A vision test, a knowledge test on the rules of the road and traffic control devices, and a road test. Applicants 18 or older with a valid license from another U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, a Canadian province, the Northern Mariana Islands or a country with a reciprocal agreement may have the knowledge and road tests waived. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 12)

A licensed driver who comes with you to the testing station, and a car in safe working order with a current safety inspection certificate and an insurance card. Fix any safety defects first. No passengers may ride along, and an autocycle can't be used for the car (category 3) test. Expect to drive in a business district, parallel park, signal, turn, start and stop, and move off on a slight grade without rolling back. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 15)

15 and a half. You pass a vision screening and a rules-of-the-road knowledge test, and drivers under 18 need written consent from a parent or legal guardian unless they are married or emancipated. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 13)

A licensed driver at least 21 years old must ride with you. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. that supervisor must be your parent or guardian. Everyone in the car wears a safety belt or sits in a child restraint. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 13)

It can be renewed for another year, starting 30 days before it expires and up to 90 days after. If it isn't renewed within 30 days after expiring, you wait 180 days before you can take the road test. (City and County of Honolulu: Graduated Driver Licensing Program)

At 16 or older, after holding the instruction permit for 180 days, finishing a state-certified driver's education course with both the classroom and behind-the-wheel certificates, and passing a road test. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 13)

You may carry only one person under 18 who isn't a member of your household. From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. you may drive only with a licensed parent or guardian, unless you're going to or from work or a school-authorized activity, and even then you carry no more than one person under 18 without your parent or guardian. Everyone buckles up. After six months on the provisional license you may apply for a full license at 17. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 13–14)

Original or certified documents proving your legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the U.S. and Social Security number, plus two documents showing your name and principal home address in Hawaii (such as a utility bill or bank statement). If a name differs between documents, bring the marriage certificate or court document that links them. Without a Social Security number you can get a limited purpose license, which is good for driving only. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 11–12)

At any driver licensing office in the state, starting six months before it expires. A Hawaii license is void after its expiration date, with no grace period, though you can still renew it within one year after. Renewal includes a vision test, and you may renew by mail only every other time. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 15)

Yes. Tell the county examiner of drivers about a new home address in writing within 30 days. A name change must be made in person within 30 days, with proof of the change. (Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 16)