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Hawaii driving lesson · Your License

Getting your instruction permit

A 3-minute lesson from the Hawaii course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
11, 12, 13

An instruction permit is your learning stage. You drive, but never alone: a qualified licensed driver must be with you every time. Hawaii sets a minimum age, a supervisor rule and a short list of tests you pass before you ever get a permit.

15½ years

Minimum age for an instruction permit

Handbook p. 13 ↗

Know the rule

With a permit you may drive only when supervised by a driver who is at least 21 years old and licensed to drive that type of vehicle.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Know the rule

In every vehicle except a motorcycle, the supervising licensed driver must sit in the right front seat.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Preliminary exams for a license or permit:

  • Rules of the road
  • Vision
  • Recognition of traffic control devices
Handbook p. 12 ↗

Know the rule

You must pass the preliminary exams before you are allowed to take the driver performance (road) test.

Handbook p. 12 ↗

If you are under 18, your permit also requires:

  • Parental consent from each living parent or legal guardian(s), unless you are married or emancipated
  • Passing a vision screening test and a rules of the road test
  • A licensed driver at least 21 years old with you whenever you drive
  • Your parent or guardian with you if you drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
  • Every occupant using a safety belt or child restraint
Handbook p. 13 ↗
11:00 p.m.–5:00 a.m.

Permit holders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Handbook p. 13 ↗
180 days

How long you must hold a valid permit before applying for a provisional license

Handbook p. 13 ↗

Tests you take for a driver's license:

  • A vision test
  • A knowledge test on rules of the road and traffic control devices
  • A practical road test
Handbook p. 12 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 15 years 8 months old with a permit. At 11:30 p.m. your 25-year-old licensed cousin offers to ride along so you can drive home. Not allowed: between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. a permit holder under 18 needs a parent or guardian. Earlier in the evening, your cousin could supervise from the right front seat.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the minimum age to apply for an instruction permit in Hawaii?
  1. 16½ years
  2. 15½ years
  3. 17 years
  4. 14 years

Answer: 15½ years

Hawaii sets 15½ as the minimum age to be eligible for an instruction permit.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
How old must the licensed driver supervising a permit holder be?
  1. 25
  2. 21
  3. 18
  4. 19

Answer: 21

The supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed to drive that type of vehicle.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
Where must the supervising licensed driver sit when riding with a permit holder in a car?
  1. Right front seat
  2. Left rear seat
  3. Any rear seat
  4. Anywhere in the vehicle

Answer: Right front seat

In all vehicles except motorcycles, the licensed supervisor must sit in the right front seat.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
How long must you hold an instruction permit before applying for a provisional license?
  1. 120 days
  2. 180 days
  3. 90 days
  4. 1 year

Answer: 180 days

Hawaii requires a permit to be held 180 days before applying for a provisional license.

Handbook p. 13 ↗
You must be at least 15½ years old to apply for an instruction permit in Hawaii.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Hawaii's minimum permit age is 15½.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
You must hold an instruction permit for 180 days before applying for a provisional license.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Hawaii requires a 180-day permit holding period.

Handbook p. 13 ↗
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More in Your License

All Hawaii lessons