When you think of Hawaii, I am pretty sure that the first thing that gets to your mind are the beautiful long beaches, surfing, diving, or delicious Hawaiian food. Now to add one more thing to the list is riding a motorcycle and the reason for that is that motorcycles are the fastest and most agile vehicle that allows you to get to almost every place you want, especially in nature if you ride a dirt bike.
With that being said, you need to have a valid motorcycle license to be able to operate a motorcycle legally.
So how to obtain a motorcycle license in Hawaii? As a general rule, you need to get a Motorcycle Instruction Permit, and to get it, you will have to pass the knowledge test at the DMV. After doing so, you will need to complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course and present the certification of completion to the DMV.
Further in this article, we will give you all the information you need to get a motorcycle license and legally ride a motorcycle. Stay with us to get all the details.
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How to obtain a Motorcycle License in the state of Hawaii?
The state of Hawaii is one of the best places to start your motorcycle adventure, and a motorcycle is the perfect means to visit all the natural beauties of Hawaii.
Hawaii has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific and nice roads that will take you some of the nicest sightseeing. The fact that a motorcycle culture and interest in Hawaii continues to grow is another thing to have in mind, and what it means is that you will meet a lot of new people and different cultures thanks to your motorcycle.
So with all of these being said, let’s get to the actual steps you need to do to get a motorcycle license in the state of Hawaii.
Note: If you already have a valid driver’s license, you are allowed to ride a moped but to operate a motorcycle or motor scooter; you need to have a Class 2 license.
To get a motorcycle or moped license in Hawaii, you need to complete the following requests:
- Get a Motorcycle Instruction Permit (for getting a motorcycle license)
- Get a Moped Instruction Permit (for getting a moped license)
- Pass a Motorcycle or Moped Skill Test
In order for you to get a Motorcycle Instruction Permit, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the application to get Instruction Permit (Class 2)
- Give identification documents to check your name, birth date, and social security number
- Give an original or certified copy of a legal presence proof document.
- Give 2 documents that are the Proof of Residence Address, and you will also need to bring a document that has your physical address listed if your post office box is your mailing address.
- Pass the vision screening successfully
- Your driving record needs to be clear on the National Driver Registry
- Pass the motorcycle written test successfully
- Pass the rules of road written test successfully if you don’t have a Class 3 license
Here is a nice video from Motorcycle Practice Test where you can prepare for the upcoming knowledge test:
In order for you to get a Moped Instruction Permit, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete the application to get Instruction Permit (Class 1)
- Give identification documents to check your name, birth date, and social security number
- Give an original or certified copy of a legal presence proof document.
- Give 2 documents that are the Proof of Residence Address, and you will also need to bring a document that has your physical address listed if your post office box is your mailing address.
- Pass the vision screening successfully
- Your driving record needs to be clear on the National Driver Registry
- Pass the motorcycle written test successfully
- Pass the rules of road written test successfully
You will also need to complete a Motorcycle/Moped Skill Test, and in order to do that, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Present a valid Motorcycle or Moped Permit
- Present current registration
- Present a current safety inspection form which is a safety inspection sticker that needs to be stuck to your motorcycle, motor scooter, or moped, depending on what you ride.
- Present a current valid insurance card, but if you have a moped you don’t need to have it
- DOT inspected motorcycle helmet
- You will have to wear a long sleeve t-shirt or jacket, pants, motorcycle boots or shoes, and you are not allowed to wear slippers
For any person under the age of 18, you will need to hold your Class 1 or Class 2 permit for a period of 90 days, and before you apply for the skills test, you will need to submit a Driver Education Certificate and Behind the Wheel Motorcycle Certificate.
So these are the requirements that you will need to fulfill to get your motorcycle driver’s license.
If you have never ridden a motorcycle in your life, it is normal that you don’t have that riding feeling like I have who have been riding all kinds of motorcycles for over 13 years or some other riders that have been riding even more.
Basic Rider Course
A basic rider course (BRC) by Leeward Community College is a motorcycle riding course approved by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), and this course is responsible for teaching motorcycle riding skills and knowledge. After a student successfully completes this course, the qualified students with a State of Hawaii Class 2 Permit will get a licensing waiver.
This course includes a 3-day class and a 2-day weekend riders lab. In this course, you will be given a motorcycle, and after you complete the course, you will get a motorcycle skills test certification.
Note: If you don’t have a motorcycle, you can get one in Cycle City Hawaii; you can get a motorcycle type that will fit your riding style the best.
You need to have a valid motorcycle license to operate your motorcycle because riding a motorcycle without a motorcycle license means that you will break the law and other traffic regulations.
Pass the Knowledge Test
You will need to go to the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMC) and pass the general knowledge test. The test consists of 25 questions pulled from the Motorcycle Operator Manual. After you successfully complete the knowledge test.
Here is a nice video from DMV Written Test where you can prepare for the upcoming knowledge test:
Submit Documentation
Once you have completed all of the above, you will need to present your certificate of completion to the DMV, and after doing so, you will get your motorcycle license and finally be able to ride a motorcycle legally.
Final Thoughts
If I compare riding a motorcycle and going to Hawaii or living there, I would really be in real trouble in picking between these two options. That’s why I think, why not both and that the best option is to go to Hawaii, get your motorcycle license and enjoy the beautiful state of Hawaii on two wheels.
The state of Hawaii has so many beautiful things to offer and places to visit, and I think that having a motorcycle is probably the best way to discover these natural beauties.
I hope that this article has helped you in the process of getting your Hawaiian motorcycle license, and once you get the license, you will enjoy exploring the island.
Take care.