Bill > HB1696

This bill lowers the minimum age to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Hawaii from nineteen to eighteen, allowing younger individuals to drive commercially within the state for intrastate commerce, meaning within Hawaii's borders. It also removes a previous restriction that limited commercial driving qualifications to operating only "category 3 vehicles," which are typically smaller trucks. The bill mandates that the Department of Transportation (DOT) update its rules to reflect this age change. Importantly, while eighteen-year-olds can now get a CDL for intrastate driving, they will have a special "K" restriction on their license, indicating it's limited to intrastate commerce, and their employer must agree to provide additional training. The bill also clarifies that these younger drivers must still meet all other federal and state requirements, including medical certifications and training, and their license will not permit them to drive commercially across state lines (interstate commerce).

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1696&year=2026