SB 2896: DOT; DLIR; Commercial Driver's Licenses; Minimum Age; Commercial Driver Training Programs; Apprenticeship Programs

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 286-102.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§286-102.3[]]  Commercial drivers under the age of twenty-one.  A person [is qualified to] may drive commercially in the State in intrastate commerce if the person:

     (1)  Is at least [nineteen] eighteen years of age;

     (2)  Is in compliance with title 49 Code of Federal Regulations[,] part 390-396, subpart B, except section 391.11(b)(1) in the case of an intrastate driver involved in intrastate commerce in the State;

    [(3)  Only operates a category 3 vehicle as defined in section 286-102(b)(3);

     (4)] (3)  [Shall] Does not transport hazardous materials [as defined in section 286-2, nor] or passengers in a school vehicle as defined in section 286-181; [and]

    [(5)] (4)  Has had a category 3 state driver's license for the two years immediately preceding driving commercially under this section, with the following conditions:

          (A)  Has not had any license suspended, revoked, or canceled; and

          (B)  Has not had any conviction for:

               (i)  Speeding excessively involving any speed of fifteen miles per hour or more above the speed limit;

              (ii)  Driving recklessly, as defined by state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to offenses of driving a motor vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property;

             (iii)  Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes;

              (iv)  Following the vehicle ahead too closely; or

               (v)  Violating state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, excluding parking violations, arising in connection with a fatal accident[.]; and

     (5)  Is under twenty-one years of age and actively enrolled in a commercial motor vehicle solely through a state‑approved commercial driver training program or registered apprenticeship program as determined by the department of labor and industrial relations; provided that a driver under twenty-one years of age shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle outside the scope, supervision, or duration of the approved training or apprenticeship program.

          For the purposes of this paragraph, "state-approved commercial driver training program or registered apprenticeship program" means a program approved or recognized by, or registered with, the department of labor and industrial relations, including programs registered pursuant to chapter 372 or other workforce development programs authorized by the department."

     SECTION 2.  The department of transportation shall adopt or amend rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as necessary to implement this Act, including licensing, enforcement, and coordination requirements with determinations made by the department of labor and industrial relations regarding approved training and apprenticeship programs.

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOT; DLIR; Commercial Driver's Licenses; Minimum Age; Commercial Driver Training Programs; Apprenticeship Programs

Description:

Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen.  Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State.  Prohibits a person under twenty-one years of age from operating a commercial motor vehicle outside of state-approved commercial driver training programs or registered apprenticeship programs as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  Requires the Department of Transportation to consult with DLIR to amend its rules to allow persons under twenty-one years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle under certain conditions.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to commercial driver's licenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 286-102.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§286-102.3[]]  Commercial drivers under the age of twenty-one.  A person [is qualified to] may drive commercially in the State in intrastate commerce if the person:

     (1)  Is at least [nineteen] eighteen years of age;

     (2)  Is in compliance with title 49 Code of Federal Regulations[,] part 390-396, subpart B, except section 391.11(b)(1) in the case of an intrastate driver involved in intrastate commerce in the State;

    [(3)  Only operates a category 3 vehicle as defined in section 286-102(b)(3);

     (4)] (3)  [Shall] Does not transport hazardous materials [as defined in section 286-2], nor passengers in a school vehicle as defined in section 286-181; and

    [(5)] (4)  Has had a category 3 state driver's license for the two years immediately preceding driving commercially under this section, with the following conditions:

          (A)  Has not had any license suspended, revoked, or canceled; and

          (B)  Has not had any conviction for:

               (i)  Speeding excessively involving any speed of fifteen miles per hour or more above the speed limit;

              (ii)  Driving recklessly, as defined by state or local law or regulation, including but not limited to offenses of driving a motor vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property;

             (iii)  Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes;

              (iv)  Following the vehicle ahead too closely; or

               (v)  Violating state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, excluding parking violations, arising in connection with a fatal accident."

     SECTION 2.  The department of transportation shall adopt or amend rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license from twenty-one to eighteen.

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOT; Commercial Driver's Licenses; Minimum Age

Description:

Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen.  Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State.  Requires the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2987

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2896

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2896, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Lower the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen;

     (2)  Repeal the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to drive commercially in the State;

     (3)  Prohibit a person under twenty-one years of age from operating a commercial motor vehicle outside of state-approved commercial driver training programs or registered apprenticeship programs as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and

     (4)  Require the Department of Transportation to consult with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to amend its rules to allow persons under twenty-one years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle under certain conditions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Customer Services of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Transportation Association, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that there is currently a shortage of commercial drivers in the State.  Lowering the minimum age for individuals in the State who may drive commercially would expand the pool of eligible commercial drivers in the State.  This measure will promote workforce development without sacrificing public safety.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2896, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,