Free Hawaii Permit Practice Test (2026)
Real questions from the official Hawaii driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
Smart Review drills only the questions you get wrong. Full-length mock exams in the real format. Progress saved on every device — and the same account unlocks the mobile app.
Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Licensing & Permits — 8
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 4
- Sharing the Road — 3
- Safe Driving — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
Heaviest on Licensing & Permits (8 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
20 are Hawaii-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. The only thing that lowers your BAC is:
- Time
- Food
- Coffee
- A shower
Show answer
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
2. You must hold a valid Hawaii instruction permit for how long before applying for a provisional license?
- 1 year
- 180 days
- 90 days
- 30 days
Show answer
Answer: 180 days
You must hold the permit for 180 days before a provisional license.
3. As speed rises, stopping distance:
- Increases sharply
- Stays the same
- Decreases
- Is irrelevant
Show answer
Answer: Increases sharply
Higher speed greatly increases stopping distance.
4. With an instruction permit, all occupants must:
- Be over 18
- Sit in back
- Do nothing
- Use safety belts or child restraints
Show answer
Answer: Use safety belts or child restraints
All occupants must be belted or in child restraints.
5. Give a motorcycle:
- Half a lane
- A full lane
- The shoulder
- No room
Show answer
Answer: A full lane
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
6. When a school bus stops with red lights flashing on an undivided road, traffic:
- Only behind stops
- May pass slowly
- In both directions must stop
- Slows to 20
Show answer
Answer: In both directions must stop
Both directions stop for a stopped school bus on an undivided road.
7. In a school zone you must:
- Keep speed
- Obey the lower posted school-zone limit
- Stop fully
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Obey the lower posted school-zone limit
Obey the reduced school-zone limit.
8. For a Hawaii provisional license you must complete:
- Only a road test
- A State-certified driver's education course (classroom + behind-the-wheel)
- A CDL course
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: A State-certified driver's education course (classroom + behind-the-wheel)
A State-certified driver's ed course (classroom and behind-the-wheel) is required.
9. While driving you must:
- Memorize it
- Leave your license home
- Carry your license and show it on request
- Carry a copy only
Show answer
Answer: Carry your license and show it on request
Carry and present your license when asked.
10. A Hawaii applicant under 18 needs:
- A CDL
- Parental consent from each living parent/guardian (unless married/emancipated)
- Nothing
- A lawyer
Show answer
Answer: Parental consent from each living parent/guardian (unless married/emancipated)
Under-18 applicants need parental consent from each living parent/guardian.
11. A left arm extended straight out means:
- Stop
- Right turn
- Left turn
- Go
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
12. Use headlights:
- Only on highways
- At night and when visibility is reduced
- Only after midnight
- Only in tunnels
Show answer
Answer: At night and when visibility is reduced
Use headlights at night and in low-visibility conditions.
13. In Hawaii you must drive at a speed that is:
- The fastest possible
- 10 over
- Always the max
- Safe and appropriate for the area, road, traffic, weather, and light
Show answer
Answer: Safe and appropriate for the area, road, traffic, weather, and light
Drive a safe, appropriate speed for conditions — never faster than reasonable and prudent.
14. If you can't keep up with traffic in Hawaii, you should:
- Straddle lanes
- Pull off the road to let others pass
- Speed up dangerously
- Stop in the lane
Show answer
Answer: Pull off the road to let others pass
If you can't keep pace, pull off to let faster traffic pass.
15. If you become drowsy while driving, you should:
- Pull over safely and rest
- Push on
- Speed up
- Turn up music
Show answer
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
16. In Hawaii's frequent rain, roads can be slick, so you should:
- Slow down and increase following distance
- Speed up
- Tailgate
- Brake hard
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and increase following distance
Slow down and leave more room when roads are wet — the first rain is especially slick.
17. To get a provisional license you must also pass a:
- Swim test
- Fitness test
- Road (skills) test
- Written test only
Show answer
Answer: Road (skills) test
A road test is required for the provisional license.
18. With an instruction permit, between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. you must be accompanied by:
- No one
- Any 21+ driver
- Your parent or guardian
- A friend
Show answer
Answer: Your parent or guardian
Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., a parent or guardian must accompany you.
19. The minimum age for an instruction permit in Hawaii is:
- 16
- 15½
- 14
- 15
Show answer
Answer: 15½
The minimum age for an instruction permit is 15½.
20. When passing a bicyclist, you should:
- Give room and pass only when safe
- Pass close
- Honk and pass
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Give room and pass only when safe
Give bicyclists room and pass only when safe.