Hawaii DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Hawaii driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Hawaii-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Hawaii driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Hawaii test has 30 questions and you need 24 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Hawaii-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Hawaii Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	30 questions, must score 24/30 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15 years 6 months
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 60 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DUI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	No point system. Hawaii uses an administrative review process for habitual violators.

Rules Specific to Hawaii

Hawaii has the lowest maximum highway speed limit in the US at 60 mph
Hawaii does not use a driver's license point system
All vehicle occupants must wear seat belts — Hawaii's seat belt law covers front and rear passengers

Sample Hawaii Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Hawaii. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

A driver who is under 21 can be cited for having a “measurable amount of alcohol” starting at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?
- A. 0.01%
- B. 0.02%
- C. 0.05%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.02%. For drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or higher can trigger an alcohol violation even if it is below 0.08%.
A child ages 4 through 10 must ride in a booster seat unless the child is at least how tall?
- A. 4 feet 0 inches
- B. 4 feet 5 inches
- C. 4 feet 9 inches
- D. 5 feet 0 inches
Answer: 4 feet 9 inches. Booster-seat requirements apply to ages 4–10 unless the child is 4'9" or taller (or meets another exemption in law).
When you intend to turn, how far in advance must you begin signaling before the turn?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 200 feet
- D. At least 300 feet
Answer: At least 100 feet. Signal early so others can react; the driver manual specifies signaling at least 100 feet before turning.
When parking next to a curb, your vehicle must be parked no more than how far from the curb?
- A. 6 inches
- B. 12 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 24 inches
Answer: 12 inches. Proper curb parking keeps traffic flowing and reduces risk; the manual instructs parking within 12 inches of the curb.
You are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on a multi-lane road with its lights flashing. What should you do?
- A. Maintain your speed and pass in the lane closest to the vehicle
- B. Move to the next lane away if possible and slow down
- C. Stop immediately in your lane until the vehicle leaves
- D. Turn on your hazard lights and accelerate past the scene
Answer: Move to the next lane away if possible and slow down. Move over to create an empty lane between you and the stopped emergency vehicle when possible, and reduce speed as you pass.
What is the minimum age for a Hawaii instruction permit?
- A. 15
- B. 15½
- C. 16
- D. 16½
Answer: 15½. You must be at least 15½ years old for an instruction permit.
Who must supervise a Hawaii instruction permit holder?
- A. Any adult passenger
- B. A licensed driver at least 21, seated in the right front seat
- C. A licensed driver at least 18
- D. A parent only
Answer: A licensed driver at least 21, seated in the right front seat. The supervising driver must be at least 21, licensed for that type of vehicle, and sit in the right front seat.
What is the minimum age for a Hawaii provisional license?
- A. 15½
- B. 16
- C. 16½
- D. 17
Answer: 16. The minimum age for a provisional license is 16, after a state-certified driver's education course and a road test.
How many passengers under 18 who aren't household members may a Hawaii provisional driver carry?
- A. None
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. Three
Answer: One. A provisional license lets you transport only one person under 18 who is not a household member.
With a Hawaii provisional license, when must a licensed parent or guardian ride with you (unless going to work or a school activity)?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight to 6 a.m.
Answer: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., provisional drivers must be accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian unless going to or from work or a school-authorized activity.
When a Hawaii school bus is stopped with red lights flashing, which drivers must stop?
- A. Only those behind the bus
- B. Drivers in the bus's lane and all lanes adjacent to it
- C. All drivers within a mile
- D. Only drivers facing the bus
Answer: Drivers in the bus's lane and all lanes adjacent to it. Drivers on the same highway in the bus's lane and all lanes next to it must stop before reaching the bus.
When a railroad crossing signal warns of a train in Hawaii, how close to the nearest rail may you stop?
- A. No closer than 5 feet
- B. No closer than 10 feet
- C. No closer than 15 feet
- D. No closer than 50 feet
Answer: No closer than 15 feet. Stop not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail when a signal or gate warns of a train.
In Hawaii, you may not pass within how many feet of an intersection or railroad crossing?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: 100 feet. Don't pass when approaching within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, or a narrow bridge or tunnel.
In Hawaii, you may not park where less than how much street width remains for traffic?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
Answer: 10 feet. Don't park where less than 10 feet of the street's width remains for traffic to move freely.
How long can your Hawaii license be revoked for refusing an alcohol test?
- A. Only 30 days
- B. One, two, or four years depending on prior alcohol enforcement contacts
- C. Six months only
- D. No revocation, just a fine
Answer: One, two, or four years depending on prior alcohol enforcement contacts. Refusal can revoke your license for one, two, or four years depending on your prior alcohol enforcement contacts.
When must a Hawaii traffic crash be reported to police immediately?
- A. Only if someone is killed
- B. If there's any injury, a death, or property damage of $3,000 or more
- C. Only if damage exceeds $5,000
- D. Only if a car must be towed
Answer: If there's any injury, a death, or property damage of $3,000 or more. Crashes with any personal injury, death, or property damage of $3,000 or more must be reported to police immediately.
What is the maximum fine for violating Hawaii's motor vehicle insurance law?
- A. $500
- B. $1,000
- C. $5,000
- D. $10,000
Answer: $5,000. Each violation can bring a fine of up to $5,000, up to 30 days in jail, or license suspension.
How much space should Hawaii drivers keep when passing a bicyclist?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. One lane
Answer: At least 3 feet. Maintain at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist until you've safely passed.

Hawaii Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Hawaii permit test?

The Hawaii knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 24 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Hawaii?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Hawaii is 15 years 6 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Hawaii?

Hawaii calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Hawaii driver point system work?

No point system. Hawaii uses an administrative review process for habitual violators.

What are the default speed limits in Hawaii?

Typical limits in Hawaii are up to 60 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Hawaii government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Hawaii Driver's Manual on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Hawaii driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Hawaii government agency.