The knowledge test trips up many first-time applicants. Here's exactly what to study and how to walk in prepared.
The Hawaii written knowledge test has 30 questions. You must score at least 80% to pass — meaning you need at least 24 correct and can miss up to 6.
If you fail, each county Driver Licensing Office sets its own waiting period and retake fee. Most counties allow same-day retests or a new appointment within a few days.
The test is given on a touch-screen at your county office (Honolulu, Hawaii County, Kauai, or Maui). Most counties require an online appointment — see the Resources page for booking links.
Hawaii has no statewide DMV — questions come directly from Chapters I–XIII of the official Hawaii Driver's Manual (HMG 5/2023). Drivers with a valid out-of-state license from a recognized jurisdiction may have the knowledge test waived at the examiner's discretion.
Hawaii's legal BAC for drivers 21+ is .08. Under-21 Zero Tolerance is .02. BAC of .05–.07 is "Impaired" and still chargeable. Implied Consent applies to anyone driving on a public highway.
Test result of .08+ or refusal: license taken on the spot under Administrative License Revocation (30-day temporary permit). Refusal triggers 1, 2, or 4 years of revocation depending on prior alcohol-enforcement contacts.
Instruction permit: age 15½, supervisor 21+ in right front seat, 180-day hold. Provisional: age 16, ONE non-household passenger under 18, no driving 11 p.m.–5 a.m. (work/school exceptions). Full Class 3 license: age 17.
Use the 2-second rule. Pick a fixed point ahead — when the vehicle in front passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If you reach it first, you're too close. Double it (4 seconds) in rain or behind motorcycles.
Hawaii does not publish a single statewide default — limits are set by posted signs (up to 60 mph on H-1/H-2/H-3, 15–25 mph in school zones). The "basic rule" requires you to drive at a speed reasonable for traffic, road, and weather — even below the posted limit.
Signal continuously for at least 100 feet before turning, changing lanes, or stopping. Right-on-red is allowed after a complete stop unless prohibited; left-on-red is allowed only from one-way to one-way after stopping.
When a school bus is stopped with red lamps flashing, ALL traffic in the same direction must stop. Exception: on a DIVIDED highway, opposite-direction traffic does NOT have to stop. Failure to stop costs up to $1,000.
Use headlights from sunset to sunrise, in fog or rain, and any time visibility is reduced. Use low beams in fog, rain, snow, and when meeting or following another vehicle.
Fire hydrant 10 ft; crosswalk 20 ft; stop sign/signal/traffic-control device 30 ft; railroad crossing 50 ft; fire-station driveway 20 ft same side / 75 ft opposite side. Parallel parked: curbside wheels within 12 inches.
All occupants must wear safety belts (primary enforcement). Children under 4 must be in a child restraint; under 8 in a booster if under 4 ft AND less than 40 lb. Leaving a child under 9 unattended in a vehicle for 5+ minutes is illegal.
You need 80% on the real test (24 of 30 correct). Aim for 90%+ consistently in practice before you book your appointment — that gives you a buffer for test-day nerves.
Memorize BAC limits, distances, signal distance, following distances, and suspension periods. These specific numbers appear on virtually every Hawaii test.
The Weak Spots mode saves every question you got wrong. Replay it until you're hitting 90%+ before going to the DMV office.
Download the Hawaii Driver's Manual (HMG 5/2023) at hidot.hawaii.gov. Every question comes directly from this manual.
No statewide DMV — county offices vary. Real ID is required. NO grace period after license expiration. Open container fines up to $5,000 (HRS 291). Park 24-hour max on any public street.
Sign questions are visual — shape, color, and meaning all matter. Use the Road Signs Quiz mode to practice all signs before test day.
Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual