This page aims to provide the information you need to apply for a driver's license, to renew a driver’s license or to transfer a driver’s license from another state.

The Driver Licensing Section is under the Hawaii County Police Department’s Technical Services Section. It has seven driver licensing stations located around the island. The stations are located in Hilo in the District of South Hilo, Laupahoehoe in the District of North Hilo, Honokaa in the District of Hamakua, Waimea in the District of South Kohala, Kapaau in the District of North Kohala, Kailua-Kona in the District of Kona and Naalehu in the District of Ka’u.

Except for the Kailua-Kona station, which is located at 75-5722 Hanama Place, the driver’s licensing stations are located at district police stations.

The driver’s license stations can manufacture on site a complete plastic driver’s license with photograph.

What follows is a list of sections you may find useful:

General Requirements for All Applicants (Class 1-4)

(New, Renewal and Duplicate Licenses and Instruction Permits)

Proof of Name, Birth Date, Etc.

You must provide at least one of the following: a certified birth certificate, certified marriage certificate, certified decree of name changes, state or military identification card, or alien/refugee registration identification. Photocopies are not acceptable!

Proof of Social Security Number

You must provide proof of your Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, a previous driver’s license that displays a Social Security number, or a state or military identification card that displays a Social Security number. Photocopies are not acceptable!

Driver’s License and Instruction Permit Fees

Number of Driver Licenses

You must turn over all valid driver licenses in your possession in order to obtain a State of Hawaii driver’s license. No driver is permitted to hold more than one valid driver license at any time. 

Ineligibility 

You will not be issued a driver license if:

1. Your license has been suspended or revoked by a court of law.
2. You have failed to pass the required driver’s test.
3. You have not provided proof of financial responsibility — such as an SR21, verification of automobile liability insurance policy or surety bond, or SR22, proof of financial responsibility — if the state law for this responsibility applies to you.
4. The examiner of drivers has good cause to believe that you would not be able to operate a motor vehicle safely on public roads because of physical or mental disability.
5. You are younger than 16 years old.
6. You are 16 or 17 years old and do not have parental consent.
7. You have a traffic violation that is unsatisfied or pending a court hearing.
8. There is a stopper on the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS).

Requirements for Application of Commercial Driver's License

Hawaii Revised Statutes §286-238 (a) requires all applicants to provide proof of residency. Proof must contain the address of applicant’s principal residence within the State of Hawaii. The following are acceptable documents:

·          Hawaii vehicle registration or title issued at least thirty days before the application date;
·          Voter registration card;
·          Utility bill;
·          Checking or savings account statement not more than two months old;
·          Payroll check or check stub issued by an employer within two months of the application date;
·          Mortgage account or proof of home ownership;
·          Residential rental contract (agreement);
·          School identification or document;
·          United States income tax return from the previous year;
·          Hawaii income tax return from the previous year;
·          Receipt for personal property taxes paid to a county within the State of Hawaii within the last year;

The following documents are acceptable documentation for proof of citizenship to qualify for a hazardous materials endorsement (FMCSR §383.71):

Status Proof of Status U.S. Citizen U.S. Passport Certificate of birth that bears an official seal and was issued by a State, county, municipal authority, or outlying possession of the United States Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (Form FS-545 or DS 1350) Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561) Lawful Permanent Resident Permanent Resident Card, Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) Temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport Temporary I-551 stamp on Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, with photograph of the bearer Reentry Permit (Form I-327)

Acceptable documents for proof of legal presence, required for the issuance of an initial, renewal and duplicate commercial driver license.

U.S. State, Local Government – issued Certificate of Birth;

U.S. Passport;

Valid Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document(s);

Certificate of Citizenship (Form N560);

Certificate of Naturalization (Form N550);

Valid DHS/USCIS I-551 Resident Alien Card issued since 1997;

Valid DHS/USCIS I-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card;

Valid DHS/USCIS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card;

Valid DHS/USCIS I-571 Refugee Travel Document;

DHS/USCIS I-797 Notice of Action;

DHS/TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC);

U.S. Department of Receptions and Placement Program Assurance Form (Refugee).

Quick CDL Checklist:

___ Proof of Citizenship

___ Social Security Card

___ Proof of Residency

___ State DOT Physical

___ HME Clearance Letter (if done in another state)

___ 2x2 Color Photo

Commercial Driver License Permits may be renewed only once and may not exceed one year. You must apply as a new applicant by taking all required written exams thereafter.

Special Requirements

Minor Applicants (ages 15 1/2 through 17)

1. A certified copy of the minor's birth certificate is required to establish proof of age and to determine who may sign the parental consent.
2. Permit applications by minors must be signed by both parents or, when applicable, by the certified custodial parent or certified custodial guardian. (Only certified copies of court documents are acceptable.)
3. The adult spouse of a minor applicant may sign the license application with proof of age and a certified copy of the marriage certificate.
4. Minors who are legally emancipated may sign license applications upon presentation of the certified court document that granted emancipation.
5. The minimum age to acquire a permit is 15 1/2, and the minimum age to acquire a license is 16. Before taking a road test, minors ages 16 through 17 must pass and present certificates of completion of mandatory driver education and behind-the-wheel training from an instructor authorized by the State Department of Transportation.
6. Provisional licenses will expire on your 19th birthday. You will be required to apply as a new applicant if your provisional license expires.
7. Under a new law that went into effect July 1, 2007, a license (including a duplicate license) will not be issued to anyone under age 18 who has pending violations or proceedings that might lead to the suspension or revocation of the license, or to any minor who has any pending court cases relating to the operation of a motor vehicle. All minors who successfully pass their road test must obtain a Referral Slip (form HPD/Lic046). The Referral Slip may be picked up from the driver license station or downloaded here. The Referal Slip must be submitted to District Court so the court can provide a Status Letter indicating that the minor has no disqualifying violations, proceedings or pending cases. To qualify for a provisional license, the minor must return to the driver license station with the Status Letter within 30 days of passing the road test or the test results will be invalidated. For license renewal/duplicate for drivers under the age of 18, the status letter is required and valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Adult Applicants (ages 18 through 71)

New licenses and renewals will expire on your sixth birthday following the date the license is issued.

Senior Applicants (ages 72 or older)

New licenses and renewals will expire on your second birthday following the date the license is issued.

Instruction Permit Applicants

1. You must obtain an instruction permit as a first step to qualify for a new driver’s license.
2. The examiner of drivers will test: your eyesight and determine if you possess the physical and mental capabilities to safely operate a motor vehicle; your understanding of highway signs regulating, warning and directing traffic; and your knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances or regulations of the State and County of Hawaii.
3. If the examiner of drivers is satisfied that you are qualified to receive an instruction permit, the examiner will issue a Class 3 permit to you. The permit is valid for one year and may not be renewed by mail.
4. When operating a motor vehicle, you must be accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old and licensed to operate the category of motor vehicle being operated. The licensed person must occupy a seat as near to you as is practical while the motor vehicle is being operated.

Road Test Requirements

• A current and valid Hawaii instructional permit is one of the required documents that must be presented on the day of the road test.
• Applicants must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older. That person must be present when the applicant is called by the examiner for the road test and until the completion of the road test.
• Current Hawaii motor vehicle insurance identification card in accordance with Section 431:10C-107, Hawaii Revised Statutes. NOTE: The name(s) and vehicle identification number on the insurance card must be the same as shown on the Certificate of Registration.
• The vehicle must meet all safety inspection standards by having the current Vehicle Inspection Certificate and inspection decals present on the vehicle.
• New vehicles must have the 1) sales contract; 2) current temporary license plate attached to the vehicle; 3) Certificate of Vehicle Inspection Certificate/decals; and 4) Hawaii motor vehicle insurance identification card.
• Use of company vehicle for road test: A letter (on company letterhead) authorizing the named applicant the use of a company vehicle for the road test, signed by an officer or authorized person of the company. The letter shall include the applicant's name, vehicle description (license plate number, make and Vehicle Identification Number) and date used for the road test.
• Applicants under the age of 18 must also present the original State of Hawaii Driver Education Certificates of Completion for BOTH classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, and the Juvenile Provisional License Status Letter (click here for Status Letter Referral Slip).
• Holders of valid foreign driver licenses of a participating country of the "1943 and 1949 United Nations Convention on Road Traffic And Convention on the Regulation o Inter-American Automotive Traffic," respectively, must present a valid international driving permit or a valid passport, i.e., stamped by the I.N.S. with an entry date of less than one year into the United States of America at the time of the road test.
• Photocopies, internet printouts and facsimile copies are not acceptable for the aforementioned documents.

Outstanding Violations Note: Applicants' records are electronically checked against the State Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) file to ensure compliance. All outstanding violations must be cleared with the State Traffic Violations Bureau before you can obtain a driver's license. For information on clearing your driving record, please contact the State Traffic Violations Bureau at 75 Aupuni Street, Room 205, in Hilo. Telephone number is 961-7470.

Motorcycle/Moped Instructional Permit

1. The instruction permit does not allow you to operate a motorcycle or moped during the hours of darkness or carry any passengers.
2. Your instruction permit for the operation of a motorcycle or moped may not be renewed, nor shall you be issued another instruction permit until you attempt the motorcycle skills exam.

Important Reminders

• The vehicle you intend to drive must have current license plates and registration card.
• The vehicle you intend to drive must have a current safety check.
• Your Hawaii motor vehicle insurance card must be current and valid. The name of the insured must be the same as the registered owner of the vehicle.
• You must have all personal identifying documents available when reporting for a driver’s license. Photo/Internet printout/fax are not accepted.
• You should review traffic laws and rules of the road. You should study the Hawaii Driver’s Manual before taking the tests. (Manuals are available at local bookstores and State libraries.)
• If you are under treatment for alcohol or substance abuse, you are required to have a medical clearance to obtain a driver’s license.
• If you are unable to read and/or write and understand the English language, provisions may be made for an oral examination (restrictions may apply), or if available, you may request to take the test in your native language. (We have seven available — Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino (Tagalog), Samoan, Tongan and Vietnamese.)
• You must have an instruction permit before you can apply for a road test.
• If you are required to perform a road test, you may request a road test at the time of issuance of the instruction permit or in person at any listed location. There is a two-week waiting period for first-time drivers.
• You must hold the permit for 180 days, present driver education and behind-the-wheel certificates and be at least 16 years of age to apply for a road test. You are required to present the Juvenile Provisional License Status Clearance Letter from District Court.
• For Class 4 non-CDL applicants, a medical examination may be required if the Driver Licensing Section does not have a valid form on file at the time of renewal or replacement.

Quick Guide to License Process

Instruction Permits and New Licenses

1. Minors obtain Parental Consent Form.
2. Submit to written exam, eye test and fingerprinting.
3. Payment of fees and photographing.
4. Road test.

Quick Road Test Requirement Checklist

(Only valid original documents will be accepted).

1. Learner's Permit
2. Motor Vehicle Registration
3. Insurance Card
4. Safety Inspection Application Form
5. Licensed Driver 21 Years or Older
6. Driver's Ed/Behind-the-Wheel Certificates*
7. Juvenile Provisional License Status Letter*

*Required for minor only.

New Licenses - Applicants With Valid U.S. License in Their Possession

1. Submit to written exam, eye test and fingerprinting.
2. Payment of fees and photographing.
3. Road test (may be waived).
4. Must be 18 years of age or older.

Renewal of Valid Hawaii Driver’s License

1. Report to processing station for application.
2. Eye test and fingerprinting.
3. Payment of fees and photographing.

Replacements and Duplicates

1. Report to processing station for application.
2. Payment of fees and photographing.

Renewing License While Out of State

You may renew your Hawaii driver’s license while living out of state.

To do so, you must mail or fax a letter of request to the Driver Licensing Section. The letter must include:

• Your name as it appears on your current driver’s license.
• Your Social Security or driver’s license number.
• Your date of birth.
• A phone number where you can be reached.
• An address where you can receive mail.
• Your signature.

After receiving a letter of request with all the information listed above, the Driver Licensing Section will send you a renewal packet for you to fill out and return.

If you are in the military and are ordered to a war zone, you may have your Hawaii driver’s license automatically extended. The extension is valid until 30 days after you return to Hawaii. To apply for an extension, you must mail or fax a copy of your orders or a letter from your commanding officer to the Driver Licensing Section.

Requests for license renewals or extensions may be mailed or faxed. The address and fax number are:

Driver Licensing Section
Hawaii County Police Department
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720

Fax: 808-961-8861

Failure to Renew License

If you fail to renew your driver's license by its expiration date, you can be cited for driving without a license and you must appear in court. If your license does expire without being renewed, the folllowing time limits apply for the renewal of your license. You must not drive with an expired license.

1. You will have 90 days after the expiration date to renew your license.
2. After 90 days and up to one year, you will be assessed a fee of $5 for every 30 day period or portion thereof.
3. After one year, you will be considered a new applicant. You must take the written and driving tests again.

Directory of Driver Licensing Stations

The following is a list of driver licensing stations around the island and the hours during which written tests and road tests may be taken: