Hawaii · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Hawaii CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Hawaii issues CDLs under the federal FMCSA framework (HRS ch. 286, Part IX), but day-to-day administration is handled by each county's examiner of drivers (e.g., the City & County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services CDL Office in Pearl City). Hawaii is stricter than most states on age: applicants may start the permit process at 18 but must be 21 to be issued a CDL. A standard CDL is valid up to 8 years; a CDL with a hazmat endorsement is capped at 5 years, and licenses for drivers 72+ are limited to 2 years.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Hawaii?
Hawaii licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Unique among these states: CDL administration is by the four county DMVs (Honolulu CSD; Hawaii County Finance/VRL; Maui; Kauai), and fees can vary slightly by county, amounts above are Honolulu's published fees (permit application $30, general knowledge test $15, special knowledge test $5, skills test $50, license $5/yr, duplicate $15, aural test +$15, reinstatement $41). Minimum age: Honolulu states applicants must be 'at least 18 years of age (must be 21 years old to obtain CDL license)' - HRS 286-236 incorporates 49 CFR Part 391 Subpart B (21+ driver qualification), so Hawaii has no 18-20 intrastate CDL tier. DOT medical certificate (MCSA-5876) with 20/40 vision required.
What licenses does Hawaii issue?
The County driver licensing offices under HRS ch. 286 (example: City & County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services, Commercial Driver Licensing Office); Hawaii DOT director prescribes tests statewide issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: County driver licensing offices under HRS ch. 286 (example: City & County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services, Commercial Driver Licensing Office); Hawaii DOT director prescribes tests statewide (honolulu.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Hawaii require?
CDL general knowledge test. Administered by County examiner of drivers (Honolulu: CSD Commercial Driver Licensing Office). Exam fee $15.
Special (endorsement) knowledge tests. Administered by County examiner of drivers.
CDL skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, road test). Administered by County examiner of drivers (state may authorize third-party examiners per HRS 286-236(b)). Exam fee $50.
How much does a Hawaii CDL truck driver license cost?
Hawaii sets its fees per license class rather than as one figure for the trade, so no single total would be true of every applicant. The published items are below exactly as the board sets them.
- Application feeset per license class
- Exam feeset per license class
- Initial license feeset per license class
- Renewal fee (recurring)set per license class
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: Up to 8 years, expiring on the licensee's birthday; max 5 years if the CDL carries a hazmat endorsement; 2 years for licensees age 72+ (HRS 286-239(f))
Continuing education: None. Hazmat (H/X) endorsement holders must re-pass the hazmat knowledge test at each renewal (HRS 286-239(g)) and complete the TSA security threat assessment; DOT medical certificate must be kept current for non-excepted drivers.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
Not applicable, CDL licensure has no apprenticeship-hour pathway. Training is via FMCSA-registered ELDT providers; the federal Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot is the only route for 18-20-year-old interstate driving.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Commercial Driver Licensing Office - City & County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services
- HRS 286-239 Commercial driver's license (categories, endorsements, expiration) - read via Wayback snapshot of capitol.hawaii.gov (June 2022)
- HRS 286-236 CDL qualification standards (incorporates 49 CFR Part 391 Subparts B and E; permit rules) - read via Wayback snapshot
- Driver's License Procedures - Honolulu Department of Customer Services
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with County driver licensing offices under HRS ch. 286 (example: City & County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services, Commercial Driver Licensing Office); Hawaii DOT director prescribes tests statewide before making decisions. Not legal advice.