Hawaii CDL practice tests
Hawaii has no single statewide CDL licensing counter. Each county runs its own driver licensing division under Hawaii DOT rules, so a Practical Test slot in Kona is open only two days a week while South Hilo tests all five.
The written exams themselves are federal. Hawaii decides the permit rules, the fees and who runs the skills test, but the knowledge you are tested on comes from 49 CFR Part 383 and is the same in every state, which is why the 145 questions here work wherever you apply.
What changes in this state
Fees
In Hawaii County the practical test fee is $50, covering the full three part skills test and due when the road test is booked. Each county sets its own CDL fees, so check the county you will test in.
Hawaii County Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division, checked 2026-08-28
Where you test
CDL practical tests run out of county driver licensing offices rather than one state facility. In Hawaii County the South Hilo site tests Monday through Friday while the Kona site only tests on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Hawaii County Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division, checked 2026-08-28
Every knowledge area
General Knowledge
Required of every applicant: inspection, control, space and speed management, hazard perception, emergencies and hours of service.
Air Brakes
Fail this and an L restriction bars you from any vehicle with air brakes, which is most of them.
Combination Vehicles
Coupling, the fifth wheel, off tracking and trailer swing. Needed for Class A.
Hazardous Materials
Placards, shipping papers, segregation and the security threat assessment.
Tank Vehicles
Liquid surge, baffles, outage and why a tanker rolls over so readily.
Doubles and Triples
Rearward amplification, converter dollies and coupling a second or third trailer.
Passenger Transport
Bus inspection, standee lines, passenger supervision and railroad crossings.
School Bus
Danger zones, loading and unloading, student crossing and evacuation.