Hawaii CDL License

Specific Hawaii CDL Information

Hawaii CDL Office Locations & Hours of Operation:

Hilo Driver Licensing Office:
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Ph: (808)961-2222
Fax: (808) 961-8861
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00AM - 4:00PM

Kona Driver Licensing Office
West Hawaii Civic Center
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole
Hwy Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ph: (808) 323-4800
Fax: (808)323-4819
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Hawaii CDL Commercial Driver License Fees

General Knowledge Test (Pass or Fail) - 15.00
Special Knowledge Test (Pass or Fail) - 5.00
Instruction Permit - 30.00
Duplicate Permit - 15.00
Practical Skills Test - 50.00
CDL $5 per year or a fraction thereof
New License 1 year - 5.00
New License 2 years (Age 72 and above) - 10.00
New License 4 years (Age 21 - 24) - 20.00
New License 8 years (Age 25 - 71) - 40.00
License Renewal 1 year - 5.00
License Renewal (Age 72 and above) - 10.00
License Renewal (Age 21-24) - 20.00
License Renewal (Age 25 - 71) - 40.00
Duplicate License - 15.00
License Upgrade - 15.00

Documents Required to Apply for a Hawaii Commercial Learner's Permit

Hawaii State Driver's License
Social Security Card or SSA Verification Letter
Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence (refer to List of Acceptable Documents)

Requirements to obtain a Hawaii Commercial Learner's Permit

Complete the CDL Application DOT 4-764 MVS (07/15)
Fulfill document requirements listed above
Successfully complete General Knowledge test
Successfully complete any required Special Knowledge test relevant to testing vehicle

Hawaii CDL Practical Test Location and Requirements

South Hilo Practical Tests are held Monday through Friday. Kona Practical Tests are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. To schedule an appointment, the applicant must apply in person and pay a $50 Practical Test Fee.

Bring the following to the Hawaii CDL road test site:

A valid Hawaii Driver License
A valid permit representative to the class of vehicle you will be operating (A, B, or C)
A valid DOT Medical Certificate
Original and valid Certificate of Registration
Original and valid DOT Vehicle Inspection
Original and valid motor vehicle insurance identification card or self-insured certificate

Commercial vehicles that are exempt from DOT vehicle inspection must present DOT exemption form. Applicant must be accompanied by a licensed driver with a same class or higher license, representative to the testing vehicel or higher with proper endorsements and a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Proper attire and footwear must be worn for testing. Use of slippers is not allowed.

Hawaii CDL Practical Test Description

Applicant must pay a $50 fee for the Hawaii CDL Practical Test at the time of scheduling; Applicant must pass the three (3) part Practical Test on the same day. The Practical Test consists of a Vehicle Inspection, Basic Controls Skills Test, and a Road Test. Failure of the air brake test is an automatic failure of the Practical Test. The Practical Test will be terminated at that point. If the applicant fails to pass the Practical Test or fails to show up for the Practical Test, there is no refund. The $50 fee is for the complete three (3) part Practical Test. If any part of the test is failed, the applicant must reschedule a Practical Test by paying the $50 Practical Test fee.

Any vehicle that has components marked or labeled (placarded) cannot be used for the Practical Test.

Hawaii defines a Class A vehicle as it is defined in the FMCSR and 286-2, HRS, which is as follows: "Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more provided the GCWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds."

The maximum time for the Hawaii CDL Practical Test of a Class A vehicle is two (2) hours. The maximum time for a Class B or lower is one and one-half (1.5) hours.

No memory aids are allowed during the Hawaii CDL Practical Test.

Applicant must wear a seat belt while performing the Hawaii CDL Basic Controls Skills Test.

School bus doors must be closed when performing the Hawaii CDL Basic Controls Skills Test.

Hawaii uses the random (partial) method of conducting the Vehicle Inspection and the Basic Controls Skills Test maneuvers.

During the Hawaii CDL Basic Controls Skills Test, the applicant is allowed one time per exercise to exit the vehicle to check positioning. At the beginning of the Hawaii CDL Basic Control Skills Test, the applicant will be informed about exiting and entering the vehicle safely, which includes placing the vechicle into neutral/park and setting the parking brake(s). Exit and enter trucks while facing the vehicle, maintaining three (3) points of contact at all times. If the applicant exits in an unsafe manner, the applicant will be informed again of his/her responsibility to exit the vehicle safely. If the applicant exits the vehicle in an unsafe manner a second time (including not securing the vehicle), an additional ten (10) points will be deducted for that exercise for failure to follow instructions. Bus drivers do not need to exit backwards, but must hold onto the rails as they exit.

If the applicant fails to follow instructions, ten (10) additional points will be deducted from his/her score for that exercise. For example, if the applicant had two (2) points deducted prior to not following instructions, then the points deducted for that exercise will total 12.

If the applicant accumulates thirteen (13) or more points during the Hawaii CDL Basic Controls Skills Test, the Practical Test be will be terminated and marked as failed. The applicant will need to reschedule the Practical Test by paying the $50 Practical Test fee.

Hawaii allows simulated railroad crossing and student discharge during the Road Test.

Hawaii CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the Hawaii Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE Hawaii CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

Classes of Hawaii CDL and Required Tests

CDL Class

Tests Required

Possible Endorsements and Required Tests

Class A
(Combination
vehicle endorsement required)

General Knowledge Written Exam

Combination Endorsement Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
T - Doubles/Triples	Written Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Class B

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Class C

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one.

H - Hazardous Materials	Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport	Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles	Written Exam
L - Air Brakes	Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus	Written and Road Exam

Hawaii CDL Endorsements

Exam	Time Allowed (Minutes)	# of Questions on Exam	# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass
General Knowledge	60	50	40
Air Brakes	25	25	20
HazMat	30	30	24
Tank	20	20	16
Passenger	20	20	16
Doubles/Triples	20	20	16
Combination Vehicles	20	20	16
School Bus	20	20	16

For the most complete and accurate official Hawaii state CDL information, go to the Official Hawaii CDL Website.

WHAT IS A CDL?

A "CDL" is a Commercial Drivers License. It meets certain "standards" that are the same for every state. It differs from your Hawaii "operator's" or "chauffeur's" licenses. It is required if you drive certain kinds of commercial vehicles either within Hawaii or outside of Hawaii.

WHAT IS THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT OF 1986 (CMVSA/86)?

It is a law passed by the United States Congress which requires ALL the individual states to comply with certain standards in regards to the licensing of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Hawaii driver licensing standards comply with the law, requiring CMV drivers to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when driving applicable vehicles. A CDL license can ONLY be issued in the driver's STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE, and if you have a CDL, you can have NO OTHER DRIVER'S LICENSE in ANY other state.

WHEN DO I NEED A CDL INSTEAD OF MY REGULAR HAWAII DRIVERS LICENSE?

A CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .

A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the operator) or any vehicle carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
A vehicle of any size that carries hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.

ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS TO BEING REQUIRED TO HAVE A CDL?

Yes, a few . . .

Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
Farmers . . . in certain cases.
Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non business purposes.

ARE THERE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A HAWAII CDL?

You must meet the following requirements to obtain a CDL . . .

You must be 21 years old. (18 years if all commercial driving is done within Hawaii and if no hazardous materials requiring placarding are transported and if you do not drive double or triple trailer rigs).
Possess a valid medical certificate in accordance with MCSR 49 CFR 391.41.
You must otherwise qualify for the license based on your driving record. Any of the following will disqualify you from obtaining a CDL . . .
- other technical rules, and further restrictions that pertain only to HAWAII are covered in detail within the Course.
  THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO APPRENTICESHIP OR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TO GET YOUR HAWAII CDL. THIS MAY SOON CHANGE.

Access Official Federal CDL Medical Requirements Info

HOW DO I OBTAIN A CDL?

By completing the following items . . .

Show your driver's license from your State of Residence.
Take and pass all written examinations that apply to your license class and endorsement requirements.
Show proof of social security number.
Meet driver record eligibility requirements as determined by the State of Hawaii.
Fill out an application including certifications.
Show proof that you passed the required written tests, pass a vision screening, and show proof of a valid DOT medical certificate (BEFORE a CDL Temporary Instruction Permit will be issued and before you will be allowed to the the skills test).
Pay the Hawaii CDL fees.
Schedule, take, and pass your CDL skills test.

A separate booklet is included with the complete Hawaii CDL Course package which covers information such as fees, locations, contacts, and other items specific to the State of Hawaii for the written and skills examinations for ALL classes of license and ALL endorsements.

What do the terms Class A, Class B, and Class C mean on a CDL?

It refers to the type of vehicle that you may operate . . .

CLASS A . . . allows you to operate vehicles which tow trailers or other vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds when the combined GVWR is over 26,000 pounds. A Class "A" license also allows you to operate Class B and C vehicles. Applicable endorsements are required.
CLASS B . . . allows you to operate single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more OR a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, towing trailers/vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds GVWR or less. A Class "B" license also allows you to operate Class C vehicles. Applicable endorsements are required.
CLASS C . . .allows you to operate vehicles under 26,001 lbs. GVWR, that would normally not require a CDL; except when they are designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver; or that carry 15 or less people (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation, or carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding. Applicable endorsements are required.

What are Endorsement Codes and when do I need them on my CDL?

Endorsements are necessary for certain commercial driving requirements as follows . . .

AIR BRAKES endorsement for vehicles with air brakes.

(T) DOUBLE or TRIPLE TRAILERS. For tractors pulling two or three trailers.

(P) PASSENGER. For vehicles which are designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver);

(S) SCHOOL BUS. Any vehicle transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.

(N) TANK VEHICLES. For vehicles designed to haul liquids or liquefied gases in bulk in permanently mounted tanks or portable tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more.

(H) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. To carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.

(X) Endorsement code designating a Tank (N) vehicle that carries Hazardous Materials (H).

Access Official Federal CDL Hazardous Materials Info

I'M OVER 18 YEARS OLDS, BUT NOT 21 YEARS OLD YET. CAN I GET A CDL?

Yes . . . with restrictions. Until your 21st birthday, you cannot drive a commercial vehicle outside the borders of Hawaii. You cannot drive a vehicle requiring HAZ MAT placarding and cannot drive double or triple trailer rigs.

CAN I USE MY HAWAII CDL OUT OF STATE?

Yes! If you are 21 years or older it is good throughout the entire United States.

CAN MY CDL BE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED?

Yes, there are MANY reasons that your CDL can be suspended or revoked. Improper use of alcohol or drugs, traffic violations, and failure to notify top the list. The Hawaii CDL Course details ALL of the rules regarding suspension or revocation. The point to remember is that alcohol or drug use is not tolerated and your record WILL FOLLOW YOU THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES FOREVER!!!

SO LET'S SAY THAT MY CDL IS REVOKED. CAN'T I JUST GET A CDL IN ANOTHER STATE?

No!!! Those days are gone. One computer system keeps track of all licenses THROUGHOUT the United States. In a matter of seconds it can be determined if you possess more than one license.

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