Hawaii Driver's License Guide 2026

Everything below is taken from the Hawaii DMV’s own pages. Where the DMV does not publish a figure, this guide says so rather than inventing one.

Hawaii licenses by county, not by state

Unlike almost every other state, Hawaii has no single state motor vehicle department issuing driver licenses. Each county runs its own licensing. On Oahu it is the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services, and all in-office driver license and state ID visits are booked by appointment at alohaq.org.

Three stages for drivers under 18

Hawaii operates a three-stage graduated licensing programme for drivers under 18: Phase One is the learner’s (instructional) permit, Phase Two is the provisional license, and Phase Three is the full driver license. The programme is designed so that young drivers earn privileges as they gain experience.

The temporary card is not a Real ID

The temporary card or document you are given when you obtain or renew a Hawaii driver’s license or state ID is NOT accepted for federal purposes or for travel. Only the permanent plastic card counts as a Real ID credential for the TSA. If you are flying within six weeks of applying, Honolulu advises carrying a passport or military ID as well.

Oral examinations, Kupuna licenses and deployed drivers

If you cannot read, write or understand English, provisions can be made for an oral examination, with some restrictions - the number to call is (808) 768-9100. Hawaii also issues a "Kupuna" driver’s license for its elders. A deployed service member’s expired Hawaii license stays valid when carried with a valid US military ID, and remains valid for ninety days after returning to the United States.

Practising before you go

Our free Hawaii practice questions cover the same topics as the Hawaii Driver’s Manual, and every question shows the correct answer. They are practice questions written to those topics - they are not the DMV’s own test questions.

• Hawaii practice tests
• Hawaii car practice test