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Hawaii has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations.
Part 391 applies to interstate and intrastate operation of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, or a vehicle of any size transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials.
21 years old for interstate drivers, intrastate drivers of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 18,000 pounds, and drivers of vehicles hauling a placardable amount of hazardous materials.
19 years old for intrastate drivers operating vehicles with a GVWR of 18,000 pounds or less.
A driver qualification file (Sec. 391.51) is required. There are exceptions to the physical qualification requirement. See Physical Qualification below.
The State of Hawaii uses a classified system of licensing based on the type of vehicle to be operated, as follows:
Category | Description |
Category 1 | Motor scooters. |
Category 2 | Motorcycles and motor scooters. |
Category 3 | Automobiles, buses designed to transport 15 or fewer occupants, and trucks 18,000 pounds GVWR or less. |
Category 4 | Trucks having a GVWR of 18,001 pounds through 26,000 pounds. |
CDL Categories | |
Category A | Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more; provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. |
Category B | Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. |
Category C | Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that meet neither the definition of A nor B but is either: (1) Designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver; or (2) Used in the transportation of hazardous materials which requires the vehicle to comply with 49 C.F.R., Part 172, Subpart F. |
Note: | The holder of a valid CDL or category 4 license may drive all vehicles in the category for which the license is issued, and all lesser categories of vehicles except motorcycles. |
Endorsements | |
H | Authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials |
T | Authorizes driving double and triple trailers |
P | Authorizes driving vehicles carrying passengers |
N | Authorizes driving tank vehicles |
X | Represents a combination of hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements |
S | Authorizes driving school buses |
Restrictions | |
E | Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with manual transmission |
K | Restricts the driver from operating in interstate commerce |
L | Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes |
M | Restricts the driver from operating a Class A passenger vehicle |
N | Restricts the driver from operating a Class A and B passenger vehicle |
O | Restricts the driver to non-tractor trailer commercial motor vehicles |
V | Indicates there is information about a medical variance on the commercial driver’s license information system driver record |
Z | Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with full air brakes |
A person who is not physically qualified to drive under Sec. 391.41(b)(1) or (2) and who is otherwise qualified to drive a motor vehicle may be granted an intrastate waiver.