Transportation (Driver Licensing)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 21, 2026

GM 1122: Informing the Legislature that on May 21, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1696 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 022).

This bill amends Hawaii law to allow individuals under the age of twenty-one to obtain a commercial driver's license for intrastate commerce. To qualify, applicants must be at least eighteen years old, hold a standard driver's license for two years without suspensions or serious traffic violations, and either participate in a registered apprenticeship or complete a structured on-the-job training program with at least 320 hours of supervised instruction. The law specifically restricts these young drivers from transporting hazardous materials, carrying passengers in school vehicles, or operating outside the scope of their approved training.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands access to commercial driving licenses for youth under 21, enhancing workforce development and transportation capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 27: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LICENSING, TRAINING, AND WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation, working with the Department of Education, to evaluate and recommend improvements to the licensing, training, and recruitment process for school bus drivers. The bill aims to address driver shortages that cause route cancellations and transportation disruptions, particularly affecting students in rural and neighbor island communities. The evaluation will examine barriers such as testing availability, interagency coordination, and workforce pipeline issues, with a deadline to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses school bus driver shortages affecting student transportation access, directly supporting educational access and continuity for students, especially in rural and neighbor island communities.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve workforce pipeline and address driver shortages, supporting employment stability and workforce development for school bus drivers.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve school bus driver licensing, training, and workforce pipeline to address transportation disruptions and ensure reliable student transportation services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HR 63: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from an auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, schools, and students by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight that have existed for over twenty years. The Department must establish task forces to certify required curricula, develop clear policies and procedures, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to bring the program into compliance with existing laws and ensure consistent standards across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program by updating rules and curriculum, directly benefiting students and educational access in K-12 settings.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education program oversight and safety standards, directly supporting transportation safety and infrastructure governance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 88: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSIDER MOVING TO A DEMERIT POINTS-BASED DRIVER'S LICENSING SYSTEM.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to evaluate adopting a demerit points-based driver's licensing system. The bill asks state officials to consider tracking traffic violations by assigning points to driver licenses, similar to systems used in 40 other states and the District of Columbia. It is intended to address Hawaii's high number of traffic fatalities by providing a structured way to monitor and discourage dangerous driving behaviors. The resolution directs copies to the Department of Transportation and county mayors for their consideration.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes safer driving through demerit points system, enhancing transportation safety and reducing fatalities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 61: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its rules for the state Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a 2025 auditor report. The bill directs the department to address issues like missing curriculum certifications, inconsistent instructor training processes, and outdated administrative procedures that have caused confusion for students and instructors. It requires the department to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027 showing what changes have been made and how the program will be improved.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program standards, curriculum certifications, and instructor training, directly supporting educational quality and student safety in driver education.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education program by updating rules and addressing safety concerns, enhancing transportation safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HCR 120: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK TO REGULATE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES UNDER THE MOTOR CARRIER LAW.

This bill asks Hawaii's Department of Transportation and Public Utilities Commission to create a plan for regulating ride-sharing companies under the state's existing Motor Carrier Law. The legislation targets transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, which currently operate without the same oversight as traditional passenger carriers. The agencies must develop a regulatory framework and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This request aims to ensure consistent safety standards and fair treatment between ride-sharing services and other motor carriers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks regulatory framework for ride-sharing companies, potentially improving worker protections and oversight for transportation network company employees.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to establish regulatory framework for transportation network companies under existing Motor Carrier Law, enhancing oversight and safety standards in transportation sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 69: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a state auditor's report. The auditor found that the department has not certified any driver education curricula for over twenty years and lacks proper oversight and clear policies for instructor certification. As a result, the bill asks the department to establish curriculum task forces, certify required materials, and create consistent procedures for instructor training and renewal. The department must also submit a report on its progress and updated rules to the legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program oversight and curriculum standards, enhancing educational quality and safety for students.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education oversight and safety standards by updating DOT administrative rules and addressing auditor recommendations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 66: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from a state auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, students, and the department itself by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight. It requires the department to establish task forces, certify required curricula, and create clear policies within a set timeframe, then report progress to the legislature before the 2027 session. The resolution does not change laws or create new programs but instead directs the department to follow its own existing rules and improve how it manages driver education standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves driver education program oversight and curriculum standards, enhancing educational quality and safety for students.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens driver education program oversight and safety standards through updated administrative rules and task force establishment, enhancing transportation safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Driver Licensing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 31: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LICENSING, TRAINING, AND WORKFORCE PIPELINE FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Education to study how to improve the process for hiring and training school bus drivers in Hawaii. The bill addresses ongoing shortages of qualified drivers that have led to canceled routes and disrupted transportation for students, particularly in rural and neighbor island communities. The requested evaluation will examine barriers to commercial driver's licensing, coordination between agencies and private contractors, and strategies to expand testing and training access. The departments must consult with various stakeholders and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 regular session.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill addresses school bus driver shortages affecting student transportation access, particularly in rural areas, strengthening educational access and logistics.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to improve workforce pipeline and address driver shortages, supporting employment standards and workforce development for school bus drivers.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve school bus driver training and licensing, addressing workforce shortages that disrupt student transportation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Driver Licensing Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 112: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK TO REGULATE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES UNDER THE MOTOR CARRIER LAW.

This House Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Transportation and Public Utilities Commission to create a plan for regulating ride-sharing companies under the state's existing Motor Carrier Law. The bill targets transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, which currently operate without the same regulations as traditional taxi services. The agencies must develop a regulatory framework and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This resolution does not immediately change laws but directs officials to study how to apply current safety and operational rules to modern ride-sharing platforms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates ride-sharing companies for consumer protection, aligning with tech regulation for public safety and fairness.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulatory framework for transportation network companies under existing Motor Carrier Law, enhancing oversight and safety standards in transportation sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles

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