Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerHawaii CDL Prep
Hawaii CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Hawaii commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Hawaii CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Hawaii
In Hawaii, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 21 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 week
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 21 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 week
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Hawaii age rules — 21 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Hawaii CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Hawaii Department of Transportation and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Hawaii. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Hawaii Department of Transportation issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Hawaii Department of Transportation, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Hawaii Department of Transportation testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerHawaii CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Hawaii CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Hawaii.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Hawaii?
Yes. Effective February 7, 2022, Hawaii requires ELDT for first-time Class A or B applicants, upgrades from Class B to Class A, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements. Hazmat ELDT must be finished before the hazmat knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Hawaii?
Yes. Submit a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) from a National Registry examiner when applying for a CLP or CDL. On Oahu, you or your doctor's office may fax or email it to the CDL office. You also need at least 20/40 vision in both eyes.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Hawaii?
Plan to bring a completed Hawaii CDL application, valid Hawaii driver's license, Medical Examiner's Certificate, certified U.S. birth certificate, two proofs of residence, and Social Security documentation if available (SSN documentation has been optional since June 18, 2021). You may hold only one valid driver's license at a time.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Hawaii?
Yes. You must be at least 21. First-time hazmat applicants must finish hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test, pass the exam, and complete a TSA Security Threat Assessment. Hawaii Department of Transportation cannot issue the H endorsement until TSA approval is on file — start fingerprinting early.
How old do I need to be for a Hawaii CDL?
You can get a Commercial Learner's Permit at age 18, but you must be 21 years old to obtain a full Hawaii Commercial Driver's License.
How long is a Hawaii CLP valid?
A Hawaii Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for 180 days and may be renewed once for another 180 days without retaking the knowledge tests. You must wait at least 14 days after getting the permit before taking the skills test.
Can I use an out-of-state CLP to test in Hawaii?
No. Out-of-state CDL permits are not accepted. If you move to Hawaii with a full CDL, you have 30 days to transfer it. Hazmat endorsements require passing Hawaii's hazmat written test and having at least one year left on your current hazmat clearance.
How do I schedule a Hawaii CDL skills test on Oahu?
Appointments must be made in person at the Pearl City CDL office after you have held your CLP for 14 days. The $50 skills fee is non-refundable, covers pre-trip, basic skills, and the road test, and cannot be rescheduled once paid. Available times are 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Does PrepCDL cover Hawaii?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Hawaii CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.