How much does it cost to become a CDL in Hawaii?

The total estimated cost to become a CDL in Hawaii is $120. This typically includes application fees, exam fees, training costs, and any required background checks.

What is the minimum age for a CDL in Hawaii?

The minimum age for intrastate CDL operation in Hawaii is 18. Interstate CDL operation requires a minimum age of 21 (federal requirement).

Commercial Driver's License

HawaiiCDL Requirements & How to Get Licensed

Q: How do I become a licensed CDL in Hawaii?

1. 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. 2. Obtain DOT Medical Certificate: Complete DOT physical and submit DOT Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) verifying medical and physical requirements 3. 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). 4. Practice with CLP: Hold CLP for at least 14 days. Practice driving with a licensed CDL holder. 5. 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. 6. Receive CDL: After passing all tests, pay CDL fee and receive your Hawaii CDL from your county office

VerifiedLast verified: March 2026

Governing Authority

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) – County CDL Offices

Official website →

Some information on this page has not been fully verified.

68% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data

$120

TOTAL GOV FEES

$4,000-$8,000

TRAINING COST

4 years

RENEWAL CYCLE

18+

INTRASTATE AGE

Get Your CDL in Hawaii: Step by Step

Verified

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: $30

Practice 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: $50

Receive CDL

After passing all tests, pay CDL fee and receive your Hawaii CDL from your county office

Fee: $40

CDL Classes Explained

Commercial 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

•Tractor-trailers (semi-trucks)
•Flatbeds
•Tanker trucks
•Livestock carriers
•Most truck and trailer combinations

Class B CDL

26,001+ lbs GVWR

Towing: Towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs

Common examples

•Straight trucks (box trucks)
•Large buses (city, school, transit)
•Dump trucks (single axle)
•Segmented buses
•Large delivery trucks

Class C CDL

Under 26,001 lbs GVWR

Towing: Does not meet Class A or B thresholds

Common examples

•Small HAZMAT vehicles
•Passenger vans (16+ passengers)
•Small school buses
•Some specialized vehicles

Cost Breakdown

Self-Pay Path

Government Fees

CLP (Permit) Fee$30

CDL License Fee$40

Skills Test (State)$50

Skills Test (Third-Party)—

Endorsement Fees

Hazmat Endorsement$5

Passenger Endorsement$5

School Bus Endorsement$5

Tanker Endorsement$5

Doubles/Triples Endorsement$5

Hazmat + Tanker (X)$10

Training Cost

CDL Training Program$4,000-$8,000

Total Gov Fees$120

CLP ($30) + CDL ($40) + skills test ($50)

Employer-Sponsored Path

Government Fees (You Still Pay)

CLP (Permit) Fee$30

CDL License Fee$40

Skills Test (State)$50

Skills Test (Third-Party)—

Training Cost

Company-Sponsored Program$0

Note: $0 (company-paid programs available)

Costs are generally higher in Hawaii due to island logistics

Ready to start your CDL training?

Prepare for your CDL written exams with online practice tests and study guides.

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CDL Testing in Hawaii

Knowledge Test

Passing Score: 80%

Test Components

•General knowledge
•Combination vehicles (Class A)
•Air brakes (if applicable)
•Endorsement-specific sections

Skills Test

State Fee: $50

Road/skills test fee; by appointment only

Three-Part Exam

1. Pre-Trip Inspection — Demonstrate knowledge of vehicle safety components
2. Basic Vehicle Control — Straight-line backing, offset backing, alley docking
3. On-Road Driving — Turns, intersections, highway driving, general driving behavior

Third-Party Testing

Not AvailableMostly verified

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).

Requirements

Intrastate Minimum Age

18 years old

Verified

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

Endorsements & Fees

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
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.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)

CLP Fee

$30

Holding Period

14 days

Validity

6 months

CLP Requirements

•Valid Hawaii driver's license
•Pass CDL knowledge test(s) ($15 per knowledge test)
•Pass DOT physical / obtain Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
•Self-certify operating category
•Proof of identity (certified birth certificate or U.S. passport)
•Social Security card (optional as of June 2021)
•Two documents showing Hawaii residency with name and address
•Pass vision test (minimum 20/40 in both eyes)
•Complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

CLP Restrictions

•Must be accompanied by CDL holder in front seat
•May not carry passengers or hazardous materials
•May not operate a school bus with passengers

CDL Renewal

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

Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) – County CDL Offices

Transferring Your CDL to Hawaii

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

•Valid out-of-state CDL
•Proof of Hawaii residency (two documents with name and address)
•Proof of identity (certified birth certificate or U.S. passport)
•Valid Medical Examiner's Certificate
•Self-certify operating category

Retesting Required

Mostly verified

Vision screening; written and skills tests generally waived for valid CDL transfers

Military CDL Waiver

Skills Test Waiver: YesKnowledge Test Waiver: No

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

Find CDL Training Schools in Hawaii

CDL School Finder →

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.

Special Notes

•CDL administration in Hawaii is handled at the county level, so fees and procedures may vary slightly between Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties.
•Hawaii has a FMCSA exemption (expiring Feb 20, 2026) allowing waiver of portions of CDL skills test on Lanai and Molokai islands.
•Must pass all three parts of the skills test at the same appointment.
•If you fail any CDL test, you must wait at least 1 week before retesting and pay fees again.
•Social Security Number documentation is optional as of June 18, 2021.
•Hawaii County offices accept all major credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay with a 2.35% processing fee.
•CDL Study Guide available for $9.00 at Hilo and Kona offices.
•Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) has been mandatory for all first-time CDL applicants since February 7, 2022.
•Minimum age: 18 for intrastate CDL, 21 for interstate — this is federal FMCSA law (49 CFR 391.11), not Hawaii-specific. Some sources showing 21 only refer to interstate requirements.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Next Steps

Other Licenses in Hawaii

Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Hawaii.

Nearby States

CaliforniaCDL requirements →AlaskaCDL requirements →

State Rankings

Compare all states

How this state compares to 50 others for this profession

Timeline

#1 of 51

Salary

#17 of 51

Cost

#23 of 51

Processing

#1 of 51

Salary & Earnings

Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (SOC 53-3032)

Entry Level

$49,570

25th percentile

Median

$59,320

+3% vs. national avg ($57,440)

Experienced

$62,730

75th percentile

Wage Distribution (Annual)

$46,320

10th

$49,570

25th

$59,320

Median

$62,730

75th

$71,330

90th

4,100 employed in this state

Note: BLS category "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers" covers CDL holders driving tractor-trailers specifically. Wages for other CDL vehicle types may differ.

Source: BLS OEWS – Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (May 2024)

Job Outlook & Growth

National employment projections for 2024-2034

Projected Growth

+2.6%

Below Average

New Jobs

+53,500

over 10 years

Annual Openings

228,600

per year (avg.)

vs. all occupations (4% avg.):-1.4 percentage points

2.1M currently employed nationwide (2024)

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)

Licensing Cost Breakdown

Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license

CLP Fee

$30

Total Government Fees$30

Time investment: 1 months–4 months

Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.

Source: Commercial Driver's License | Hawaii County VRL

Time to Get Licensed

Estimated total: 6–16 weeks

Obtain Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)

1–2 weeks

Complete ELDT training program

3–8 weeks

Hold CLP for minimum 14 days

2 weeks(can overlap with previous step)

Pass CDL skills test

1–2 weeks

Receive CDL

1–2 weeks

Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.

Source: Commercial Driver's License | Hawaii County VRL

Application Processing Time

1–2 weeks

Estimated processing time

Source: Commercial Driver's License | Hawaii County VRL

CDL Exam Prep Books for Hawaii

Study guides and practice tests for the commercial driver's license exam.

Browse Study Guides on Amazon →

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Professional Equipment & Supplies for Hawaii

Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.

Dash Cams →Seat Cushions →Work Gloves →

Sources

All data verified as of 2026-03-21. Sources consulted:

Commercial Driver's License | Hawaii County VRL(accessed 2026-02-25)
Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) Office | City & County of Honolulu(accessed 2026-02-25)
HOW TO APPLY FOR A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE - Hawaii DOT(accessed 2026-02-25)
Class A, B, C Permits | Maui County(accessed 2026-02-25)

Disclaimer: This information is compiled from official state licensing board websites and verified against multiple sources. Always confirm current requirements directly with your state's licensing authority, as licensing rules can change. Links to official state resources are provided for each data point. LicenseMap does not provide legal, financial, or tax advice. See something incorrect? Report it here.

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Exploring other careers? Compare licensing requirements for real estate agents, insurance agents, and notaries in Hawaii.