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100+ Free Hawaii DMV Permit Test Practice Questions

Pass your Hawaii Driver License Written Knowledge Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A provisional license in Hawaii's GDL program normally remains in effect until the driver:

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Hawaii DMV Permit Test Exam

30

Multiple-Choice Questions

Hawaii Driver's Manual

80% (24/30)

Passing Score

Hawaii DOT

15 yrs 6 mo

Minimum Instruction Permit Age

Hawaii GDL Program

0.08 / 0.02

BAC Limit (21+ / Under 21)

Hawaii Revised Statutes

The Hawaii DMV permit test has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer 24 correctly (80%) to pass. Questions come from the official Hawaii Driver's Manual and cover signs, signals, right-of-way, speed, and safe driving. Hawaii has no single statewide DMV — the four counties administer licensing. You must be at least 15 years 6 months old for an instruction permit, and Hawaii's Graduated Driver Licensing program adds night and passenger restrictions for provisional drivers under 18.

Sample Hawaii DMV Permit Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Hawaii DMV Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many questions are on the Hawaii driver license written knowledge test?
A.20 questions
B.25 questions
C.30 questions
D.50 questions
Explanation: The Hawaii written knowledge test contains 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Hawaii Driver's Manual. The questions cover road signs, traffic laws, safe-driving practices, and the rules of the road. The test can be taken at a county licensing office or online statewide through the KnowToDrive system.
2What score do you need to pass the Hawaii written knowledge test?
A.60% correct
B.70% correct
C.80% correct
D.100% correct
Explanation: You must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly to pass the Hawaii knowledge test, which means getting 24 of the 30 questions right. Missing 7 or more questions results in a failing score. Applicants who fail may retake the test, often after a short waiting period set by the county.
3Who administers driver licensing and the knowledge test in Hawaii?
A.A single statewide Department of Motor Vehicles
B.The four county licensing offices (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai)
C.The Hawaii State Police
D.Private third-party testing companies only
Explanation: Hawaii has no single statewide DMV. Driver licensing is administered by the four counties: the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County. Each county licensing office issues permits and licenses, while the Hawaii Department of Transportation sets the standards and publishes the Driver's Manual.
4What is the minimum age to apply for an instruction permit in Hawaii?
A.14 years old
B.15 years and 6 months old
C.16 years old
D.18 years old
Explanation: In Hawaii you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to apply for an instruction permit. The instruction permit is the first stage of Hawaii's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. While holding the permit, you must always have a licensed adult at least 21 years old seated next to you.
5While driving with a Hawaii instruction permit, who must be seated next to you?
A.Any passenger over the age of 18
B.A licensed driver at least 21 years old who can operate that type of vehicle
C.A police officer or driving instructor only
D.No one is required once you have the permit
Explanation: An instruction permit holder must always have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old seated in the front passenger seat, and that person must be licensed to operate the same category of vehicle. This supervising driver helps the learner gain experience safely. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., the supervising driver must be a parent or guardian.
6How long must you hold a Hawaii instruction permit before you can apply for a provisional license?
A.30 days
B.90 days
C.180 days
D.One full year
Explanation: Under Hawaii's GDL program, you must hold the instruction permit for at least 180 days with no pending traffic violations before applying for a provisional license. You must also be at least 16 years old and complete the required driver education and behind-the-wheel practice. This waiting period ensures new drivers build experience before driving with fewer restrictions.
7A Hawaii provisional license holder generally may not drive between which hours without a parent or guardian?
A.9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
B.10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
C.11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
D.Midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Explanation: Hawaii's GDL night-driving restriction prohibits provisional license holders from driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. A limited exception allows driving during these hours when traveling directly to or from work or a school-authorized activity. This restriction reduces the elevated crash risk young drivers face at night.
8Under Hawaii's GDL rules, a provisional license holder's passenger restriction limits them to:
A.No passengers at all for the first six months
B.No more than one passenger under age 18 who is not a household member, unless a parent or guardian is present
C.No more than three teenage passengers at any time
D.There are no passenger restrictions on a provisional license
Explanation: A Hawaii provisional license holder may not transport more than one passenger under the age of 18 unless that passenger is a member of the driver's household, or unless the driver's parent or guardian is in the vehicle. Limiting young passengers reduces distractions and lowers crash risk for newly licensed teens.
9In Hawaii, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a driver age 21 or older is:
A.0.05%
B.0.08%
C.0.10%
D.0.12%
Explanation: A driver who is 21 or older can be charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII) at a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Impairment can occur well below this level, so any amount of alcohol affects driving ability. A BAC of 0.15% or higher triggers enhanced penalties.
10In Hawaii, what is the maximum BAC allowed for a driver who is under 21 years old?
A.0.00%
B.0.02%
C.0.05%
D.0.08%
Explanation: Hawaii enforces a 'zero tolerance' standard for drivers under 21: a BAC of 0.02% or higher is illegal for an underage driver. Because it is also illegal for anyone under 21 to consume alcohol, even a small amount can lead to arrest and license revocation. The lower limit reflects the higher crash risk among young, inexperienced drivers.

About the Hawaii DMV Permit Test Exam

The Hawaii driver license written knowledge test is the exam new drivers must pass to earn an instruction permit. It contains 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Hawaii Driver's Manual, covering road signs, traffic signals, rules of the road, sharing the road, and safe-driving practices. Driver licensing in Hawaii is administered by the four counties — Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai — under standards set by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Since late 2024, the full knowledge test is also available statewide online through the KnowToDrive system.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

No strict time limit at most county offices

Passing Score

80% (24 of 30 questions correct)

Exam Fee

Low county fee (varies by county; instruction permit fee around $5) (Hawaii Department of Transportation and the four county licensing offices)

Hawaii DMV Permit Test Exam Content Outline

Core

Road Signs, Signals & Markings

Sign shapes and colors, traffic signal meanings, and yellow and white pavement markings

Core

Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way

Intersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, lane use, turns, signaling, passing, and parking

Core

Sharing the Road

Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, large trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles

Core

Speed & Adverse Conditions

Speed limits, the basic speed rule, following distance, night driving, rain, fog, and skid recovery

Core

Alcohol, Drugs & Impaired Driving

Hawaii's 0.08 and 0.02 BAC limits, implied consent, OVUII penalties, and drug impairment

Core

Licensing & Graduated Driver Licensing

Instruction permit rules, the 180-day holding period, and provisional license night and passenger restrictions

How to Pass the Hawaii DMV Permit Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (24 of 30 questions correct)
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: No strict time limit at most county offices
  • Exam fee: Low county fee (varies by county; instruction permit fee around $5)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Hawaii DMV Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the current official Hawaii Driver's Manual from start to finish — every test question is based on it
2Memorize the Hawaii-specific numbers: 30 questions, 80% to pass, 0.08 and 0.02 BAC limits, and the 15-years-6-months permit age
3Learn sign shapes and colors so you can identify a sign even without reading the words
4Study the Graduated Driver Licensing rules — the 180-day permit period, the 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, and the passenger limit
5Take timed practice tests until you consistently score 90% or higher, giving yourself a comfortable buffer above the 80% pass mark

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Hawaii DMV permit test?

The Hawaii written knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Hawaii Driver's Manual. The questions cover road signs, traffic signals, rules of the road, sharing the road, and safe-driving practices. You must answer at least 24 of the 30 questions correctly to pass.

What score do I need to pass the Hawaii permit test?

You need to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly, which is 24 out of 30. Missing 7 or more questions results in a failing score. If you fail, you may retake the test, with retest rules and any waiting period set by your county licensing office.

Who administers the driver license test in Hawaii?

Hawaii has no single statewide DMV. Driver licensing is administered by the four counties — the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County — under standards set by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Since late 2024, the full knowledge test is also offered statewide online through the KnowToDrive system.

How old do I have to be to get a Hawaii instruction permit?

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to apply for a Hawaii instruction permit. While holding the permit, a licensed driver at least 21 years old must be seated next to you at all times. The instruction permit is the first stage of Hawaii's Graduated Driver Licensing program.

What are Hawaii's GDL rules for provisional drivers?

A provisional license is for drivers 16 to under 18 who have held an instruction permit for at least 180 days. Provisional drivers generally may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. without a parent or guardian, and may not carry more than one passenger under 18 who is not a household member. The provisional license expires at age 19.

What are the BAC limits for driving in Hawaii?

For drivers 21 and older, the legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. For drivers under 21, Hawaii enforces a zero-tolerance standard with a limit of 0.02%. Driving above these limits is an OVUII offense, and refusing a chemical test triggers an automatic license revocation under the implied consent law.