The Driver Education Program equips high school students with the essential knowledge, skills and experience to become responsible and safe drivers.

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 supports their mobility and independence as they pursue higher education and careers after graduation.

The program covers content areas, including:

1. Causes of crashes and their resulting economic, personal and social losses; 
2. Proper attitudes relative to driving; 
3. Role of the driver in relation to traffic laws and the physical laws of nature; 
4. Driving techniques and skills; 
5. Pedestrian safety; 
6. Handling adverse conditions and emergency situations; and 
7. Personal factors that influence a driver’s ability (alcohol, drugs, distracted driving, road rage, etc.).​

Students will complete*:

• 38 hours of classroom instruction.
• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.

*Also see list of prerequisites below.

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 teen permit.

All driver education courses must be taught by 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.

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 Certificate of 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 course in order to receive the DOT Certificate for this.

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 just for the classroom course or only for the behind-the-wheel course.

Enrollment at each high school must be given on an equal basis to all eligible students. To contact a program coordinator, refer to the listing of Driver Education Programs at Public High Schools (PDF).

Eligible students include:

• Students attending the high school (including students on geographic exceptions).
• 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.
• Private school students 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.
• Complete and submit the Driver and Traffic Safety Education Program application form;
• Attend the mandatory parent/guardian orientation meeting with a parent/guardian;
• 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 Permits prior to the start of the Behind-the-Wheel course held during after-school hours.

Brochures with application forms are available from Driver and Traffic Safety Education Program coordinators at public high schools.

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 also pay the $10 fee to access the behind-the-wheel instruction.