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Learning to drive is an exciting milestone, but driving is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. The Driver Education Program equips high school students with the essential knowledge, skills and experience to become responsible and safe drivers.
Program Overview
Program Overview
By fostering safe driving habits and attitudes, the Driver Education Program aims to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and property damage. This program provides students with life-long skills that support their mobility and independence as they pursue higher education and careers after graduation.
The program covers content areas, including:
Causes of crashes and their resulting economic, personal and social losses;
Proper attitudes relative to driving;
The role of the driver in relation to traffic laws and the physical laws of nature;
Driving techniques and skills;
Pedestrian safety;
Handling adverse conditions and emergency situations; and
Personal factors that influence a driver’s ability (alcohol, drugs, distracted driving, road rage, etc.).
Eligible students will complete*:
90 minutes to 2 hours attendance at a Mandatory Parent/Guardian and Student Orientation class.
38 hours of classroom instruction.
6 Lessons of behind-the-wheel training.
6 hours of observation of another student driver.
50 hours of practice supervised driving by a licensed driver over 21 years of age
*Also see list of prerequisites below.
Student Eligibility and Priority
Student Eligibility and Priority
In accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Section 302A-413, the Driver and Traffic Safety Education Program is open to all Hawai‘i teens who are at least 15 years and 6 months of age and under 19 years of age with a valid Hawaii Instructional Permit.
All driver education courses are taught by DOE instructors certified by the State Department of Transportation and licensed by the HIDOE. Public high schools offer the program based on the availability of instructors. Schools may offer credit and non-credit courses.
Eligible students include:
Students attending the high school (including students on geographic exceptions) where it is offered.
Any other Hawai‘i resident under the age of 19 years who lives in the high school’s attendance area, including students attending private schools, being home-schooled, or enrolled in a General Education Diploma course at a HIDOE Adult Community School.
Any Hawaiʻi resident under the age of 19 years living outside the school attendance area who cannot access a public high school driver education program in their attendance area.
Eligible students must meet the following prerequisites for enrollment:
Be at least 15 years and 6 months and under 19 years of age.
Possess a current Hawai‘i Instructional Permit (for the before- or after-school, non-credit course only). Students enrolled in the credit semester course need to obtain their Hawai‘i Instructional Permit prior to the start of the Behind-the-Wheel course held during after-school hours.
Complete and submit the Driver and Traffic Safety Education Program application form;
Attend the Mandatory Parent/Guardian and Student Orientation class with a parent/guardian;
Application forms are available on the respective public high school's website.
The Driver Education Program brochure can be found in the Resources Link.
Elective course for high school credit
Elective course for high school credit
A credit-bearing driver education elective course may be offered during the school day or summer school. This elective course covers only the classroom content and is open to students in Grades 10–12. Students earn one-half elective credit upon successful completion. Students who meet the criteria to earn a Department of Transportation (DOT) certificate of Student Classroom Completion for licensure prior to the age of 18 will receive the documentation after the semester course. The student must complete the required behind-the-wheel lessons and observation hours in order to receive the DOT certificate of Student Behind-the-Wheel Completion.
Before- or after-school, non-credit program
Before- or after-school, non-credit program
A non-credit program may be offered before or after school. The before- or after-school, non-credit course is one program and not two separate courses. Students cannot enroll in only the classroom course or only the behind-the-wheel course.
Enrollment at each high school must be given on an equal basis to all eligible students.
NOTE: The following high schools offer driver education as a semester, credit course and DO NOT offer a before- or after-school, non-credit program: Farrrington High, Moanalua High, Radford High on Oahu; Kapaa High on Kauai.
Student Fees
Student Fees
The driver education fee of $10, payable to the high school, includes the classroom instruction (credit or non-credit) and behind-the-wheel instruction. Students who enroll in the semester credit course or summer school course must pay the $10 fee to access the behind-the-wheel instruction.
How to register to be on the waitlist for the Before- or After-School, Non-Credit Program
How to register to be on the waitlist for the Before- or After-School, Non-Credit Program
Enrollment at each high school must be given on an equal basis to all eligible students.
NOTE: The following high schools offer driver education as a semester, credit course and DO NOT offer a before- or after-school, non-credit program: Farrrington High, Moanalua High, Radford High on Oahu; Kapaa High on Kauai.
Get more information
Get more information
Please go to your respective high school website to obtain more specific information on the school's driver ed program dates, policies and the application form to be placed on the waitlist.
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