Minimum age for a car driving licence in Hawaii (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: An instruction permit is available from 15 years 6 months and a provisional licence from 16, after 180 days on the permit. A full driver's licence needs six months on the provisional licence (or age 18) and an age of at least 17.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15.5 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A provisional licence is open to a person aged at least 16 but under 18 who has held an instruction permit for at least 180 days and completed the requirements of sections 286-108 and 286-109. A driver's licence may follow after at least six months on the provisional licence or on reaching 18 (whichever comes first), and the holder must be at least 17. Passenger and night-time restrictions apply to the provisional licence. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A person aged at least 18 who holds a valid driver's licence issued in another US state or territory or in a Canadian province, for the category being driven, is exempt from the Hawaii licence requirement. [3] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15.5 years [2] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A provisional licence holder (16 or 17) may drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. only with a licensed parent or guardian in the front passenger seat, unless travelling to or from work or a school-authorised activity with a signed statement. [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A provisional licence holder may not carry more than one person under 18, other than household members (including a household member's foster or hanai child), unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian. [1] |
Notes
- This is the age for the provisional licence. It requires 180 days on an instruction permit and carries passenger and night-time restrictions.
Sources
- Hawaii State Legislature: HRS 286-102.6 Provisional license for persons under the age of eighteen (Internet Archive snapshot of 5 April 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Hawaii State Legislature: HRS 286-110 Instruction permits (Internet Archive snapshot of 6 February 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Hawaii State Legislature: HRS 286-105 What persons are exempt from license (Internet Archive snapshot of 7 February 2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in Hawaii
- Cannabis
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: Set by county ordinance or signs · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): Set by county ordinance or signs
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3 · Minimum age: Class 2/3: 16 or supervised
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Oahu: No (firecrackers with permit) · Minimum age to buy: Oahu: 18 (firecracker permit)
- Knives and pepper sprayLocking or one-handed knives: Switchblade or butterfly knife: concealed carry banned
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $16.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (holding) · Hands-free use: Allowed (not under 18)
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all seats · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all seats
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.