Quick Answer
Yes — Hawaii's counties issue a Limited Purpose Driver License to residents who can't prove legal presence or a Social Security number. To get one:
- Gather proof of your legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residence.
- Book an appointment with your county's driver licensing office (AlohaQ in Honolulu).
- Pass the written and road tests and pay your county's regular license fee.
The license is not REAL ID, so TSA won't accept it, even for inter-island flights.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Hawaii Without an SSN?
Yes. Under a 2015 state law (House Bill 1007) that took effect January 1, 2016, Hawaii's counties issue Limited Purpose Driver Licenses, provisional licenses, and instruction permits. You prove your legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residence, but you do not need documents showing legal presence or a Social Security number.
The law used a REAL ID Act provision that lets states issue licenses clearly marked as not valid for federal purposes. You can read the text of HB 1007, and Honolulu summarizes the rules on its driver's license procedures page.
What Does a Hawaii Limited Purpose License Say on It?
A Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver License states on its face, and in its barcode, that it is not acceptable for official federal purposes. The back says it is issued only as a license to drive and does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits. It also uses a design distinct from regular licenses.
What Documents Does Hawaii Require?
Hawaii requires documents proving 3 things for a Limited Purpose Driver License: your legal name, your date of birth, and your Hawaii residence. You do not need documents showing legal presence or a Social Security number. Honolulu publishes the documents it accepts in an online document guide linked from its licensing pages.
- 1Legal name — for example, a foreign passport
- 2Date of birth — often proven by the same identity document
- 3Hawaii residence — documents showing your Hawaii address
Each county sets its own document checklist; confirm yours on your county's licensing site before your appointment.
Where Do You Apply in Hawaii?
You apply at your county's driver licensing office, because Hawaii's counties, not the state, issue driver licenses. In the City and County of Honolulu, an AlohaQ appointment is required for every in-office driver's license and state ID visit. Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County run their own licensing offices and scheduling.
- Honolulu: call (808) 768-9100 or email [email protected] — see Honolulu driver's license procedures
- Hawaii County: see the county's limited purpose license page
How Much Does a Hawaii Limited Purpose License Cost?
A Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver License costs the same as a regular license, because state law ties it to the fee each county sets for regular licenses. In Honolulu, the written knowledge test costs $2 if you have not used the online test service, and an instruction permit costs $5. Check your county for the license fee.
| Honolulu item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written knowledge test (in person) | $2 |
| Instruction permit | $5 |
| Duplicate license (online) | $7 |
| Duplicate license (mail) | $6 |
How Do I Apply Step by Step?
Getting a Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver License takes 4 steps: gather proof of name, birth date, and residence, earn an instruction permit by passing the written test, book a county appointment, and pass the road test. In Honolulu you can take the permit test online or in person, and you may request an oral exam if you cannot read English.
- Step 1: Gather documents proving your legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residence.
- Step 2: Pass the written test for an instruction permit ($5 in Honolulu).
- Step 3: Book your county appointment — AlohaQ in Honolulu.
- Step 4: Pass the road test and pay the county's regular license fee.
What Can You Do With a Hawaii Limited Purpose License?
A Hawaii Limited Purpose Driver License lets you drive on Hawaii's public highways. It is not REAL ID compliant, so TSA will not accept it for boarding commercial flights, including inter-island flights, and it cannot be used to enter federal facilities. On the mainland, Wyoming treats licenses issued to undocumented immigrants as invalid, and Florida may too.
- Drive legally in Hawaii and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- It does not establish eligibility for work, voter registration, or public benefits
For inter-island and mainland flights, carry your foreign passport — see our guide to flying with an ITIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly between Hawaiian islands with a Limited Purpose license?
No. Inter-island flights go through TSA checkpoints, and TSA does not accept the Limited Purpose Driver License because it is not REAL ID compliant. Bring your foreign passport.
Does a Hawaii Limited Purpose license prove I can work?
No. The back of the license states that it does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.
Do I need an SSN for a Hawaii Limited Purpose license?
No. You need documents proving your legal name, date of birth, and Hawaii residence, but not proof of legal presence or a Social Security number.
What if I can't read English?
In Honolulu, applicants who cannot read or write English may request an oral exam, though restrictions may apply. Call (808) 768-9100 or email [email protected] to ask.
Is a Hawaii Limited Purpose license valid in other states?
Not in every state. Since July 1, 2025, Wyoming treats any out-of-state license issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, and Florida says non-REAL ID licenses from Hawaii may be invalid if the driver isn't lawfully present. Georgia also bars non-citizens without lawful status from driving there. Honolulu advises checking with the other state's licensing agency first.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Hawaii is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status, and every Pacific state except Alaska — California, Oregon, and Washington — does the same. Hawaii's system is unusual because each county, rather than a state agency, issues the license.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →