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Commercial Driver's License
Governing Authority
Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) – County CDL Offices
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
$120
TOTAL GOV FEES
$4,000-$8,000
TRAINING COST
4 years
RENEWAL CYCLE
18+
INTRASTATE AGE
Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Complete required ELDT through an FMCSA-registered training provider. ELDT completion must be verified electronically by CDL staff before scheduling a road test.
Required for first CDL, upgrade, or S/P/H endorsement
Obtain DOT Medical Certificate
Complete DOT physical and submit DOT Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) verifying medical and physical requirements
Apply for Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
Visit your county's CDL office. Complete the Hawaii CDL Application. Pass knowledge tests ($15 each) and endorsement knowledge tests ($5 each). Pass vision test (20/40 minimum).
Knowledge test: $15; special endorsement knowledge test: $5 each
Fee: $30Practice with CLP
Hold CLP for at least 14 days. Practice driving with a licensed CDL holder.
CLP valid for 6 months
Schedule and Pass CDL Skills Test
Schedule road test by appointment at your county CDL office. Must pass all three parts at the same appointment: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road test.
Walk-ins not permitted. If you fail any part, must wait at least 1 week and pay fees again.
Fee: $50Receive CDL
After passing all tests, pay CDL fee and receive your Hawaii CDL from your county office
Fee: $40Commercial Driver’s Licenses are divided into three classes based on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of the vehicle being operated.
Class A CDL
26,001+ lbs GCWR
Towing: Towed vehicle over 10,000 lbs
Common examples
Class B CDL
26,001+ lbs GVWR
Towing: Towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs
Common examples
Class C CDL
Under 26,001 lbs GVWR
Towing: Does not meet Class A or B thresholds
Common examples
Government Fees
Endorsement Fees
Training Cost
CLP ($30) + CDL ($40) + skills test ($50)
Government Fees (You Still Pay)
Training Cost
Note: $0 (company-paid programs available)
Costs are generally higher in Hawaii due to island logistics
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Passing Score: 80%
Test Components
State Fee: $50
Road/skills test fee; by appointment only
Three-Part Exam
CDL skills tests in Hawaii are primarily administered by county CDL offices. Third-party testing availability is limited.
Scheduling Note
By appointment only at county CDL offices. Walk-ins not permitted. Oahu office: 897 Second St., Pearl City, HI 96782 (8am-4pm).
Ready to pass the CDL Knowledge Test?
Practice exams built for the CDL licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
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Preparing for the written and skills tests? Read our CDL exam prep guide for study tips and what to expect on test day.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CDL Knowledge Test
Browse study guides
CDL Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic CDL Knowledge Test practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
CDL Knowledge Test
Passing Score
80%
Format
Written multiple choice
Key Topics Covered
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CDL Knowledge Test.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CDL Knowledge Test
Prepare for your CDL Knowledge Test with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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Intrastate Minimum Age
18 years old
Interstate Minimum Age
21 years old (federal requirement)
Medical Card (DOT Physical)
Required
Valid State Driver's License
Required
Clean Driving Record
No disqualifying offenses per 49 CFR 383.51
Residency Requirement
Must be a resident of Hawaii
Not sure if you need a CDL? Check whether your state requires one.
| Code | Endorsement | Test Type | State Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| T | Double/Triple Trailers | Knowledge | $5 |
| P | Passenger | Knowledge + Skills | $5 |
| N | Tank Vehicle | Knowledge | $5 |
| H | Hazardous Materials | Knowledge | $5 |
| X | Hazmat + Tank Combo | Knowledge | $10 (two separate $5 special knowledge tests: H + T) |
| S | School Bus | Knowledge + Skills | $5 |
HAZMAT Note: The HAZMAT endorsement (H and X) requires a TSA background check ($85.25) and fingerprinting in addition to the state fee shown above. The TSA security threat assessment must be completed before the state will issue the endorsement.
CLP Fee
$30
Holding Period
14 days
Validity
6 months
CLP Requirements
CLP Restrictions
Hawaii has 115% below average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 164 residents.
Hawaii has below-average cdl truck drivers density — strong demand for new cdl truck drivers.
Hawaii ranks #50 out of 51 states by cdl truck drivers per capita.
Renewal Cycle
4 years
Renewal Fee
$40
May vary by county
Medical Renewal
Every 2 years
Details
Hawaii CDL renewal is handled at the county level. Contact your county's CDL office for specific renewal procedures.
Regulatory Board
Learn more about the renewal process in our CDL renewal requirements guide.
Visit your county's CDL office within 30 days of arriving in Hawaii. Bring your valid out-of-state CDL, proof of identity, and Hawaii residency documents. You may only hold one valid driver's license at any time.
Transfer Fee
$40
CDL issuance fee
Timeline
Within 30 days of arriving in Hawaii
Transfer Requirements
Retesting Required
Mostly verifiedVision screening; written and skills tests generally waived for valid CDL transfers
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Hawaii participates in the federal military CDL skills test waiver program. Qualified military personnel with equivalent CMV operation experience may have the skills test waived. Hawaii has a significant military population due to multiple military bases.
Eligibility
Active duty or recently separated military with equivalent vehicle operation experience
Search accredited CDL training programs and compare costs, schedules, and job placement rates.
160 Driving Academy →Nationwide CDL training with flexible schedules, financial aid options, and job placement assistance.
TruckingTruth School Reviews →Real student reviews and ratings of CDL schools to help you choose the right program.
Employer-Sponsored CDL Programs
Many trucking companies offer paid CDL training in exchange for an employment commitment. These are not affiliate links — check directly with carriers like Schneider, Werner, CRST, and Swift for current company-sponsored training programs in Hawaii.
Typical self-pay CDL training costs in Hawaii range from $4,000 to $8,000. Costs are generally higher in Hawaii due to island logistics
Some links above may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Start Your CDL Training in Hawaii
State-approved online courses you can start today.
Unique to Hawaii
Hawaii administers CDLs at the county level rather than through a centralized state DMV, so fees and procedures can vary between the four counties. Hawaii has a unique FMCSA exemption for the islands of Lanai and Molokai that waives portions of the CDL skills test due to limited testing infrastructure. The island geography makes CDL training and testing logistics more challenging and costly.
CDL Schools in Hawaii
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
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Official Sources
CDL Driver requirements in Hawaii verified against Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) – County CDL Offices, April 2026.
All data verified as of 2026-04-02. Sources consulted: