What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Hawaii driver license.
In Hawaii, the authority to ride a motorcycle is part of your driver's license — Hawaii issues licenses by category, and operating a moped, motorcycle or motor scooter requires the motorcycle category. You qualify for it by passing a knowledge test, a vision test and an on-cycle skills test (Hawaii MOM, Obtaining a Driver's License or Instruction Permit).
If you have no driver's license at all, you can still earn the moped category — a Category 1 (moped) license — by following the procedure for that category and using your moped for any required performance test (Hawaii MOM, Driver's Licenses for Mopeds).
| Endorsement | Motorcycle-Only License | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Drivers who already hold a Hawaii license | Riders without a regular driver license |
| Added to | Your existing license | Issued as its own license |
| Knowledge test | Motorcycle knowledge test | Motorcycle knowledge test |
| Lets you drive a car | Yes — keeps your car privileges | No — motorcycle only |
Hawaii waives the on-cycle skills test for riders who hold a motorcycle skills test Certification for Waiver issued by the Hawaii Motorcycle Safety Education Program, or a valid motorcycle license or endorsement from another state (Hawaii MOM, Driver Performance Test).
The waiver applies to the skills test. Separately, as of December 24, 2025, a Basic RiderCourse is required before a motorcycle instruction permit is issued — so plan on completing approved rider training before you begin the licensing process.
Hawaii has no statewide DMV, and motorcycle licensing fees are set and collected at the county level. Confirm the current knowledge-test, skills-test and license fees with the Driver Licensing Office in your county before you apply.
The motorcycle category renews together with the rest of your Hawaii driver's license — there is no separate motorcycle renewal cycle. Completing a motorcycle education course also earns a 15% discount on your liability insurance premiums (Hawaii MOM, Insurance).
Source: Test details reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources — confirm with the state agency before your visit. Hawaii's Motorcycle Operator Manual does not publish a question count or passing score; the 25-question, 80%-to-pass figure shown here is a third-party practice format. As of December 24, 2025, a Basic RiderCourse is required before a motorcycle instruction permit is issued. Hawaii has no statewide DMV — licensing is handled by the four county Driver Licensing Offices.