Department of Customer Services

The state of Hawaii has established a three-stage graduated licensing program for drivers under age 18. The program allows young drivers to earn privileges as they gain experience under the watchful eyes of their parents.

Three Phase of Graduated Driver Licensing Program

To apply for an Instructional Permit, the applicant must be at least 15-and-a-half years old. All applicants must present original or certified copies of supporting documents. The following is needed to complete the application process:

1. Complete the State of Hawaii Driver’s License Application.
2. Proof of Legal Name – If your current name is different from the name shown on any document (examples: due to marriage, divorce, adoption, name change, or naturalization certificate), you are required to provide “connecting documents” to establish the link between the names.
3. Proof of Legal Presence.
4. Proof of Social Security Number.
5. Proof of Date of Birth.
6. Since the applicant is under 18 years of age, a

• • Birth Certificate is required.
  • An Affidavit form must be submitted in connection with the desire of the aforesaid child to secure a license to drive. The affidavit form must be notarized, or signed by the affiant in person and witnessed by the Driver Licensing Center staff as follows:
    • If both the father and mother of the applicant have custody, both the father and mother must sign the affidavit.
    • If only one parent has custody of the applicant, that custodial parent must sign.
    • If neither parent has custody of the applicant and the applicant has a custodial guardian, the custodial guardian must sign.
    • If neither parent has custody of the applicant and the applicant has no custodial guardian, a responsible person who is willing to assume the obligation may sign.

    Parents/Guardians are encouraged to accompany their learner’s permit applicant to the Driver Licensing Center, however, it is not required as long as the applicant has all the proper documents and a notarized parental consent affidavit signed by the appropriate parent(s)/guardian(s).

    If one parent has full custody of the applicant, appropriate documentation to show that only one parent has full legal custody of the applicant must also be presented.

    *Note*: The person who signed shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor applicant for any damages caused by such negligence or misconduct.

    6. Present two (2) documents for Proof of Principal Residence (the address affidavit form can be used for this purpose)
    7. Pass the required vision test
    8. Pass a 30 question multiple-choice written examination; please refer to the Hawaii Driver’s Manual
    9. Payment of the appropriate fees

    To schedule an appointment for a learner’s permit written examination, please click here.

    Key Restrictions/Requirements
    Once issued, the minor granted the learner’s permit shall as a requirement:

    • Be in immediate possession of the permit when driving a motor vehicle.
    • 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.
    • Have all occupants wear their seat belts and children under 4 years of age be properly restrained within a safety seat next in compliance with Hawaii State law.

    Instructional Permit Renewal
    The permit may be renewed for another one-year period no sooner than 30 days before the expiration date of the permit and no later than 90 days after the expiration date of the permit.

    Failure to renew the instructional permit within 30 days after the expiration date will result in waiting 180 days before being eligible for a road test.

    To schedule an appointment for renewing an instructional permit, please click here.

    An individual may apply for a provisional license to operate a motor vehicle if that person:

    • Is at least 16 years old, but under the age of 18.
    • Holds a learner’s permit and has held that permit for at least 180 days and there is no pending violation that might result in a suspension or revocation of that person’s learner’s permit.
    • Satisfactorily completes a State certified driver’s education course and possesses the classroom and behind-the-wheel certificates
    • Successfully passes a road examination test at a Driver Licensing Center.
    • Payment of the appropriate fees.

    To schedule an appointment for a road-test exam, please click here.

    Restrictions/Requirements
    Once issued, the provisional license will expire on the applicant’s 19th birthday. The person granted a provisional license shall as a requirement:

    1. Have in their immediate possession their provisional driver’s license.
    2. 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.
    3. Adhere to Passenger Restrictions as follows:
    • • • • The provisional licensee driver SHALL NOT TRANSPORT more than one person below the age of 18 without being accompanied by a licensed driver that is the provisional licensee’s parent or guardian, unless that person is a household member.

          4. Adhere to Night-Time Driving Restrictions:

          • • • 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 license may drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00a.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 hour
                • 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
                • The provisional licensee shall not transport more than one person under the age of 18 between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without being accompanied by the licensed parent or guardian of the provisional licensee

                A provisional licensee may be issued a full driver license if the provisional licensee:

                • Has satisfactorily held the provisional license for at least six months
                • Has no pending violation that might result in a suspension or revocation
                • Is at least 17 years old; and has satisfactorily complied with all the requirements of Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes
                • Has completed an application and passed the eye test
                • Payment of the appropriate fees

                If a provisional license is not converted to a full license by the provisional licensee’s 19th birthday, the provisional licensee must reapply for a driver’s license as an adult applicant. If the provisional license expiration date falls on a weekend or holiday, then applicants must convert the provisional driver’s
                license to a full driver license by the last working day prior to the expiration date.

                Penalties / Special Requirements:
                For first violation of items listed in the Provisional License Phase section, the provisional license shall be suspended for a three (3) month period.

                For second or subsequent violations of items listed in the Provisional License Phase section, the provisional license shall be revoked for a six (6) month period.

                If a provisional licensee is convicted of an offense related to the operation of a motor vehicle:

                • For a first conviction, the provisional license shall be suspended or revoked for six (6) months
                • For a second or subsequent conviction, the provisional license shall be revoked for one (1) year

                A provisional or full license will not be issued to persons under the age of 18 who have pending violations or proceedings that might result in the suspension or revocation of the provisional license, and any pending adjudication of an offense relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. An electronic interface between the City and County of Honolulu driver record system and Judiciary’s Information Management System (JIMS) will flag the driver record of a minor with any pending violations or proceedings that might result in the suspension or revocation of the provisional license, or any pending adjudication of an offense relating to the operation of a motor vehicle.

                In certain situations, a minor may be provided a Referral Slip, form CS-L(DL) 237 and referred to the District Court to obtain a status letter. The status letter is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and must indicate that the minor has no pending violations, proceedings, or adjudications within the jurisdiction of the District Court of the State of Hawaii. The letter must be presented to the Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits Division before receiving a driver’s license.

                • For issuance of a provisional license, the minor must return to the driver licensing center within 30 days of passing the road test with the status letter, or the test results will be invalidated.
                • For issuance of a full license, the applicant must return to the driver licensing center with the status letter.