Learner's Permits

Documents Required to Apply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit

• Hawai`i State Driver’s License
• Social Security Card or SSA Verification Letter
• Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence (refer to List of Acceptable Documents)
• Two (2) documents for Proof of Residence (refer to List of Acceptable Documents)

Requirements to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit

1. Complete the CDL Application DOT 4-764
2. Fulfill document requirements listed above
3. Successfully complete General Knowledge test
4. Successfully complete any required Special Knowledge test relevant to testing vehicle

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 road test site:

• A valid Hawai‘i 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 vehicle 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.

CDL Practical Test Description

Applicant must pay a $50 fee for the 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 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 Practical Test.

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

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

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

During the Basic Controls Skills Test, the applicant is allowed one time per exercise to exit the vehicle to check positioning. At the beginning of the Basic Control Skills Test, the applicant will be informed about exiting and entering the vehicle safely, which includes placing the vehicle 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 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.

Important Information on CDL Skills Testing

We are accepting appointments for Commercial Driver License skills testing in Hilo and Kona. You must make an in-office appointment first to schedule your skills test date and time. A $50 non-refundable fee is required. Once payment is received and an appointment is scheduled, you will be issued a confirmation of your scheduled skills test appointment with the date, time and location. Make your in-office appointment.

The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) course must be completed prior to scheduling an appointment for a road test. Confirmation of completion of ELDT must be received electronically and verified by CDL staff.

• State of Hawai‘i, Department of Transportation FAQs

The following outlines FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations currently required.

FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. ELDT must be completed with a training provider registered with FMCSA. ELDT requirements apply to an applicant to:

• Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time. This requires that the ELDT be completed before being allowed to take the CDL skills test;

• Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL. This requires that the ELDT be completed before being allowed to take the CDL skills test; or

• Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time. This requires that the ELDT be completed before taking the (S) and (P) endorsements CDL skills test, and requires the ELDT be completed before taking the (H) endorsement knowledge test.

Exceptions:
The ELDT regulations are not retroactive; the entry-level driver training requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022.

If an applicant who obtains a CLP prior to February 7, 2022, obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires, the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements.

Any individual who meets one of the exceptions for taking a skills test in 49 CFR Part 383 is also exempt from the ELDT requirements.

For the complete and latest up-to-date information on ELDT visit the FMCSA website.

For further information on ELDT visit the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation website.

Converting to a CDL

Applicant must return to the Driver License office within 48 hours after completion of the Practical Test to complete the licensing process.

1. Present applicant voucher
2. Surrender your Hawai‘i Driver’s License and Commercial Learner’s Permit
3. Your driving status must be clear
4. Pay required fees for new license
5. Present required documents (if needed)

Hazardous Materials Endorsement

• Hazardous Material Written Exam
• Social Security Card or SSA Verification Letter
• Valid DOT Medical Certificate
• Two (2) documents for Proof of Residence (refer to List of Acceptable Documents)
• Proof of Citizenship or Legal Presence (refer to List of Acceptable Documents)
• Obtain TSA Clearance (valid for 5 years)
  • Apply through www.tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement or by calling the TSA help desk at 877-429-7746.

2005 Testing Model (2017) commercial Driver License Manual available for $9.00 at the Hilo and Kona Driver’s Licensing Offices.

Medical Certification

Medical certification information is required from commercial driver's seeking a license or renewing or transferring their CDL under a federal law that went into effect at the end of January 2012.

Under this new requirement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, all states must begin collecting and maintaining medical certification information from commercial drivers when they apply for an initial CDL, renew the CDL or when they transfer their commercial license from another state.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• CDL Driver's Self-Certification Form
• Medical Examiner's Certificate

Only certified medical examiners that have been approved by FMCSA and listed on the FMCSA National Registry may conduct the physical exams for drivers of commercial motor vehicles, complete the Medical Examination Report, Medical Examiner's Certificate, and report all results of completed physical examinations to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Violations

Effective April 12, 2010, the penalties for convictions of Violation of an Out-of-Service order changed as shown below.

• Driving while out of service order is in effect and transporting 16 or more passengers, including the driver and/or transporting hazardous materials that require a placard.
• General driving while out of service order is in effect.

Conviction in a HAZMAT CMV and/or a Passenger CMV

Conviction in a CMV that was not a Passenger CMV or a HAZMAT CMV

Commercial Driver License Application

Complete the Commercial Driver License Application to apply for a permit, renewal or transferring a CDL from Out of State.

Forms of Payment

• Cash
• Personal Check
• Money Order
• Cashier’s Check

We do not accept credit, debit or bank cards.

Fees

Acceptable Documents

Proof of Name and Date of Birth

• Valid, unexpired Out-of-State, U.S. territorial or Canadian driver’s license
• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
• Valid, unexpired Foreign passport with appropriate Immigration Document(s)
• U.S. Immigration and Naturalization documents
• Alien registration/refugee identification card
• Valid, unexpired State of Hawai‘i identification card with photo
• U.S. Government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad

Proof of Social Security Number

• Social Security card in name of applicant (no copies or metal plates). Visit the SSA website if you need a Social Security card.
• Valid Military identification card with social security number
• W-2 tax form issued from previous year

Proof of Name Change

• Certified marriage certificate, displaying name change
• State issued marriage certificate with seal
• Certified divorce decree displaying name change
• Certified decree of name change issued by the courts or Lt. Governor’s Office, State of Hawai‘i.

Proof of State of Domicile

Two (2) documents required

Note: Present any two of the following documents that contain the applicant’s name and the address of the applicant’s State of Domicile.

• Vehicle registration or Title issued at least 30 days before the application date
• Valid Driver’s License issued at least 30 days before the application date
• Voter Notification Postcard (yellow card) or other mail addressed to the applicant from a government or medical entity not more than 2 months old
• Utility bill with the applicant’s name and address not more than 2 months old
• Checking or savings account statement not more than 2 months old
• Payroll check or check stub with applicant’s name and address issued by an employer within 2 months of the application date
• Mortgage account or proof of home ownership
• Residential Rental or Time-Share Agreement for six (6) months or more (Month-to-month agreements will not be accepted)
• U.S. individual income tax return, W-2 form or income tax form 1099 from the previous year
• Hawai`i individual income tax return or HW-2 form filed in the last two-years
• Receipt for personal property taxes paid to a County within the State of Hawai`i within the last year
• Letter from the Hawai‘i State Department of Human Services indicating the person is receiving welfare assistance dated not more than 90-days old.
• Medical card issued by a health insurance agency with applicant’s name and address
• Current Property Tax assessment form
• Department of Taxation Form A-6, application for tax clearance with applicant’s name and address
• PO Box numbers are not acceptable to indicate a Hawai‘i principal residence address unless a number and street name have not been assigned for United States mail delivery. An address convention used by the United States Postal Service is acceptable.
• Hawai‘i principal residence address affidavit, provided the spouse, parent’s, guardian's or other's address can be verified and the affidavit is notarized within two-months of the application date. Contact your county DMV office for further information.

Proof of Citizenship

Required for Hazardous Materials Endorsement

U.S. Citizen

• Valid 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)

Lawful Permanent Resident

• 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)