Limited Purpose Permit and Provisional License Now Available

Road test. Image credit: Hawaiʻi DOT.

Starting today, Jan. 4, 2016, the public may apply for a limited purpose instruction permit, limited purpose provisional driver’s license, or a limited purpose driver’s license.

The credential does not require documentary proof of a social security number or “legal presence,” which is defined as a person who is either a US citizen or is legally authorized to be in the US.

The limited purpose documents are issued as a license to operate a motor vehicle on public highways. They are not accepted for official federal purposes and do not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration or public benefits.

When applying for a limited purpose instruction permit, limited purpose provisional driver’s license, or limited purpose driver’s license, the applicant must provide the required documents verifying their legal name, date of birth, and principal residence within the State of Hawaiʻi.

To view frequently asked questions and a list of acceptable documents to verify legal name, date of birth, and Hawaiʻi residency, visit the HDOT online.

The periods of validity for these credentials are as follows:

• Limited purpose instruction permit – one year and may be renewed for another year no more than 30 days prior to the expiration date of the limited purpose instruction permit and no later than 90 days after the expiration date.
• Limited purpose provisional driver’s license is issued to applicants between the ages of 16 and 17 years of age in accordance to the requirements set forth in Section 286-102.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes and shall expire on the provisional licensee’s nineteenth birthday.
• Limited purpose driver’s license:
  Four years for licensees who are 24 years of age or younger; Eight years for licensees who are 25 through 71 years of age; and two years for licensees who are 72 years of age or older.

When traveling within the US, individuals possessing a Hawaiʻi limited purpose driver’s license should consult with that state’s driver licensing agency to confirm this type of driver’s license is valid for driving in that state.

For additional information on offices issuing these credentials, please call the county where you intend to apply for a license or permit.

County of Hawaiʻi: (808) 961-2222
City & County of Honolulu: (808) 532-7730
County of Kauaʻi: (808) 241-4242
County of Maui: (808) 270-7363