HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1696
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to commercial driver's licenses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 286-102.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[Struck through: []]§286-102.3[[Struck through: ]]] Commercial drivers under the age of twenty-one. A person [[Struck through: is qualified to]] [Underlined: may] drive commercially in the State in intrastate commerce if the person:
(1) Is at least [[Struck through: nineteen]] [Underlined: eighteen] years of age;
(2) Is in compliance with title 49 Code of Federal Regulations[[Struck through: ,]] part 390-396, subpart B, except section 391.11(b)(1) in the case of an intrastate driver involved in intrastate commerce in the State;
[[Struck through: (3)] [Struck through: Only operates a category 3 vehicle as defined in section 286-102(b)(3);]
[Struck through: (4)]] [Underlined: (3)] [[Struck through: Shall]] [Underlined: Does] not transport hazardous materials [[Struck through: as defined in section 286-2]], nor passengers in a school vehicle as defined in section 286-181; and
[[Struck through: (5)]] [Underlined: (4)] Has had a category 3 state driver's license for the two years immediately preceding driving commercially under this section, with the following conditions:
(A) Has not had any license suspended, revoked, or canceled; and
(B) Has not had any conviction for:
(i) Speeding excessively involving any speed of fifteen miles per hour or more above the speed limit;
(ii) Driving recklessly, as defined by state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to offenses of driving a motor vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property;
(iii) Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes;
(iv) Following the vehicle ahead too closely; or
(v) Violating state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, excluding parking violations, arising in connection with a fatal accident."
SECTION 2. The department of transportation shall adopt or amend rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license from twenty-one to eighteen.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOT; Commercial Driver's Licenses; Minimum Age
Description:
Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen. Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State. Requires the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.