ELDT Training in Hawaii — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in Hawaii, from Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua and Kapolei, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before Hawaii county driver licensing offices (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai) will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the HI theory portion is done online for $20 and your Hawaii record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in Hawaii

  1. Get your CLP from Hawaii county driver licensing offices (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai)

    Pass the CDL knowledge tests, plus any endorsement tests, at a HI licensing office. The CLP fee is $30 (permit application).

  2. Complete ELDT theory online

    Finish the Class A or Class B theory course here, $20, at your own pace from anywhere in Hawaii; bus drivers add the passenger course and school bus drivers both the passenger and school bus courses.

  3. We report it to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry

    Your completion is submitted automatically, usually within minutes; the HI licensing agency checks the registry electronically before your skills test.

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in Hawaii

    Range and public-road training is done in person with one of the registered HI providers listed below, for example in Honolulu; it can be a different provider from your theory course.

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in Hawaii

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the HI CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with Hawaii county driver licensing offices (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai). The CDL fee is $50 skills test; license fee varies by county.

Hawaii licensing details

CLP fee
$30 (permit application)
CDL fee
$50 skills test; license fee varies by county
  • Hawaii has no statewide DMV: each county issues CDLs and runs its own skills testing, and the license fee varies by county.
  • On Oahu, CDL transactions are handled at the Kapalama Driver Licensing Center's Commercial Driver Licensing office, with appointments made through AlohaQ.
  • Next-day appointments are released daily at other Honolulu licensing centers but not at the Commercial Driver Licensing office, so book CDL appointments in advance.

These HI fees and procedures are set by the agency and change without notice; confirm them on the official site before you go. Training costs are separate from Hawaii fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in Hawaii

HI has 31 registered training locations across 14 cities on the FMCSA registry: 29 registered for Class A, 25 for Class B, 13 for the passenger endorsement and 7 for school bus. 12 of the 31 (39%) publish a website, and the newest HI registry record dates from September 2026.

Browse by city: Honolulu CDL schools, Hilo CDL schools and Kapolei CDL schools, or open the full Hawaii school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

Counts come from the FMCSA registry export. We do not endorse any HI school; confirm courses, schedules and prices with the provider.

Hazmat endorsement in Hawaii

18 of the 31 registered Hawaii locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so HI drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the Hawaii hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in Hawaii

Each course is the federal curriculum, reported to the Training Provider Registry when a HI driver passes.

Class A

CLASS A CDL

For combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ lbs, where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class A applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class A application. Already hold a Class B CDL and want Class A? Choose the Class B to Class A Upgrade course instead.

30 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class B

CLASS B CDL

For single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001+ lbs, or towing vehicles under 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class B applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class B application.

29 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class A

CLASS B TO CLASS A UPGRADE

Class B to Class A upgrade theory curriculum covering advanced commercial vehicle operation, safety procedures, inspections, control skills, and compliance requirements for drivers moving from Class B to Class A CDL.

Class B to Class A upgrade. Reported to FMCSA as an Upgrade. Only for drivers who currently hold a valid Class B CDL.

3 hours
22 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
School Bus

SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

Required endorsement for all school bus drivers, covering safety protocols and procedures.

11 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Passenger

PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT

Required for drivers operating vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers.

5 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Hazmat

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT

Required theory training for transporting hazardous materials safely and legally.

12 hours
13 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll

Hawaii ELDT questions

Which office issues CDLs in Hawaii?
Your county does. On Oahu it is the City and County of Honolulu's Commercial Driver Licensing office at Kapalama; Maui, Hawaii and Kauai counties run their own driver licensing offices.
Is online ELDT theory accepted in Hawaii?
Yes. ELDT is a federal requirement checked against the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so online theory from a registered provider works for any county in Hawaii.
How do I book a CDL appointment on Oahu?
Use the AlohaQ online appointment system for the Commercial Driver Licensing office. Unlike other centers, the CDL office does not release next-day appointments, so schedule early.
How much does a CLP cost in Hawaii?
Hawaii county driver licensing offices (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai) lists the Commercial Learner's Permit fee as $30 (permit application). The CDL fee is $50 skills test; license fee varies by county. These are agency fees for the permit and license, separate from training, and they change, so confirm the current amount on the agency site before you go.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in Hawaii?
With one of the 31 Hawaii locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Honolulu, Hilo and Kapolei; 29 are registered for Class A training and 25 for Class B. Theory and behind-the-wheel training can come from different registered providers, so you can finish the online theory first and then choose a school. Each school sets its own schedule and pricing, and some registered providers, such as school districts and transit agencies, train only their own drivers, so confirm before you enroll; we do not endorse any of them.

Start your HI CDL training today

$20 online theory, accepted in Hawaii and reported to the FMCSA registry automatically.

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