Now more than ever are professional truck drivers in great demand to keep the supply chain going. If you’ve decided to become a CDL driver, you need to know what the requirements are in the state of Hawaii, as well as how to choose which trucking school will meet your needs to get the best job as a trucker.
CDL Requirements in Hawaii
Here are the requirements to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the state of Hawaii:
- Be 21 years old to get a CDL license (18 years old to get a CDL permit)
- Complete and submit the DOT Certificate – verifies that you meet the medical and physical requirements.
- Pass the vision test (minimum 20/40 in both eyes)
- Have a valid basic Hawaii driver’s license
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
Classes of CDL
| Class A | Driver can operate any combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) whichever is greater. | Vehicles:
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| Class B | Driver can operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more without a trailer. You can also operate any vehicle towing a trailer that doesn’t exceed 10,000 pounds. | Vehicles:
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| Class C | Driver can operate any single vehicle or a combination of vehicles not meeting the Class A or Class B definition, that is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is transporting hazardous material. | Vehicles:
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Steps to Get a CDL in Hawaii
If you do qualify to get a CDL in Hawaii, you then need to determine which type of commercial license to get: Class A; Class B or Class C. The most inclusive class, and the type that will give the best upside as far as employment and salary opportunities is the Class A commercial license.
To get training in obtaining the Class A is typically longer, about 160 hours on average, which means it’s also the most expensive.
| Steps to Get a CDL | |
 | 1. Pass the knowledge / written test |
 | 2. Get Commercial License Permit (CLP) - you will be issued a CLP when you pass the written test. |
 | 3. Complete the mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
 | 4. Pass the skills test: pre-trip inspection + on-road driving |
 | 5. Get your CDL - you will be issued a CDL when you successfully meet above requirements. |
How to Select Truck Driving Schools in Hawaii
Researching and selecting the right truck driving school for you is an important task. You need to consider different factors and not choose a CDL school just based on the cheapest price. For example, finding employment after graduation is just as important as ensuring you get the greatest possible education for the money you spend. The following are some considerations to keep in mind while evaluating truck driving schools in Hawaii and deciding on which one to join.
How Much Does it Cost to Receive CDL Training Hawaii?
When compared to other states, the cost of CDL training in Hawaii is affordable, ranging between $2,500 and $4,500. The cost of a truck driving school should be considered, but it should not be the key factor in choosing which school to attend. The majority of truck driving schools in the same location charge around the same amount, with a small difference between them on average. It is vital to determine why one institution charges much more than another.
The Locations of Hawaii Educational Institutions
Before choosing a truck driving school in Hawaii, make sure you know how simple it is to re-apply for your CDL in the state. There are distinct restrictions in each state. It is not possible to transfer your CDL license from one state to another. It may be also essential to retake the written CDL examinations in certain states, while it may be necessary to retake both the written and the road tests in other states. Before you decide to go someplace else to get your CDL training, you may want to give it some serious consideration.
Instructors’ Level of Expertise
The professors should be the last thing in your thoughts while you are studying. Choosing a truck driving school should be based on the following criteria: expertise, competence, compassion, and ability to educate students. The competence and comprehension of their profession that teachers who have not been on the road for a lengthy period of time possess is clearly less than that of more experienced educators. Due to the fact that teachers at truck driving schools change over time, it may be difficult to establish their level of expertise. Some schools have exceptional professors, while the majority of the others are just okay.
Finding a Job is a Time-Consuming Process
It is vital to your long-term success as a truck driver that you enroll in a truck driving school that has a proven track record of placing students in top-tier companies. Consider whether or not the program provides one-on-one coaching or whether or not it collaborates with local transportation companies to assist participants in getting a job If you want to know how well a certain school works at placing recent graduates in jobs, don’t be afraid to ask about their hiring practices.
Curriculum
When selecting a truck driving school, a number of variables must be taken into account, including the length of the program, the cost, and the structure of the program. When it comes to trucking school programs, you have a broad variety of options from which to choose.
Getting a commercial driver’s license involves a unique method of education, such as in-cab or in-class instruction, among other things. If you want to have the best chance of success as a professional driver, enroll in a school that provides both classroom and on-the-road instruction. Finding a driving teacher who has at least three years of experience is a smart option in this situation.
The Class Size
Due to the fact that instructors’ personal qualities vary with time, it is difficult to evaluate the quality of a truck driving school’s instructors. There are certain schools that are blessed with exceptional instructors, while others have teachers that are average. However, it is possible to compare classroom sizes across different schools. For all truck driving schools, there will be a limited number of students allowed in each class. When there are fewer people in the class, you will have more one-on-one time with your teachers, which means you will learn more during your training sessions.
Conclusion
When it comes to truck driving schools in Hawaii, practically all of them teach their students utilizing the same essential curriculum. For students in Hawaii to be eligible for a commercial driver’s license, they must first pass a written knowledge exam. This is an assessment that will take place in the classroom. Several schools are considered to be superior to the others. Before choosing a truck driving school in Hawaii, it’s vital to do some preliminary research. The factors above will also help in choosing a good school.
List of Trucking Schools in Hawaii
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