Hawaii Road Test Checklist 2026 (Free Printable)

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. Every state bans notes, phones and printouts during the knowledge test, in person and online.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room.
Source: Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Motor Vehicle Safety Office and Hawaii law, sources numbered below · Checked October 4, 2026 · Printed Oct 12, 2026 · drivingtestpal.com/hawaii/study-sheets/road-test-checklist/

Hawaii · Road test

Hawaii road-test checklist

Road test (on-street skill test for category 3 light motor vehicles)

Tick each box during practice drives in the weeks before your test. The numbers in brackets are the sources listed at the bottom.

How it’s scored: Points are deducted for each missed step or mistake. Separately, a dangerous action, serious violation, refusing instructions, or an accident is an automatic fail. HAR 19-122-14(b) lists the standards you must meet: starting, stopping, steering and turning, reversing, signs and signals, clutch and acceleration, brake reaction, and parking. No official point values or pass mark are published. [4, 6]

Bring to the test [2, 3]

A current and valid Hawaii instruction permit
A licensed driver age 21 or older, present for the whole test
Current vehicle Certificate of Registration (originals; temporary dealer registration not accepted in Honolulu)
Current Hawaii motor vehicle insurance card (VIN must match the registration)
Current vehicle safety inspection certificate, with the decal on the vehicle
Under 18: driver education classroom and behind-the-wheel completion certificates
Rental car: you must be listed on the rental contract; company car: an authorization letter on company letterhead
Road test fee paid in advance ($8 in Honolulu)

Vehicle check before you go [2, 4, 5]

You supply the vehicle, in serviceable condition; manual or automatic is fine; not an autocycle
Current registration, Hawaii insurance and safety inspection certificate with decal
At least 1/4 tank of gas (or 25% charge for an EV)
Working turn signals, brake lamps and horn; lamp lenses not cracked
Both license plates securely mounted, not damaged, no plate covers
All lug nuts in place; tire tread at least 2/32 inch
Gauges working and no warning lights on
Clean, working seat belts; working door handles, windows and locks
Passenger compartment free of obstructions, odors, insects and animal fur
Windshield crack or chip no larger than a dime; window tint legal and noted on the inspection certificate
Convertible or Jeep-type tops closed and locked
No dashcam or cell phone use; don't rely on the backup camera or self-parking

Maneuvers the examiner scores [1, 2, 4, 6]

Vehicle safety pre-check
Parallel parking
Reversing
Starting on a slight grade
Left turns
Right turns
Stop signs, signals and unmarked intersections
Brake reaction

Skills checked throughout [4, 6]

Starting
Stopping
Signs, signals, speed and pedestrians
Smooth acceleration and clutch control
Business district and heavy traffic
Observation, mirrors and hand position
Road markings, pedestrians and bike lanes

Automatic failures: never do these [4, 6]

The vehicle is involved in an accident
Driving dangerously or recklessly
Committing a serious traffic violation
Refusing or failing to follow the examiner's instructions

Sources

hidot.hawaii.gov: 2023 Hawaii Drivers Manual 5.375x8.375 Final r3 Digital 071924web (PDF)
honolulu.gov: road test
mauicounty.gov: Road Test Check In
hidot.hawaii.gov: 19 122 Ramseyer 8 3 20 FB (PDF)
mauicounty.gov: Class 3 Road Test Vehicle Requirements
honolulu.gov: road test eight tips
honolulu.gov: drivers license procedures