Question: Since when does an adult have to take a training course to get a motorcycle license? I already have a license to drive a car, and I didn’t take a course to get that (my dad taught me).
Answer: Since last year, after a Hawaii law was amended to say that “no person shall be issued a motorcycle instruction permit unless the person successfully completes a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation.”
The law does not exempt adults nor does it exempt someone who already has a license to drive a car. A person must obtain a motorcycle permit before they can apply for a motorcycle license, unless they are eligible to transfer a motorcycle license from out of state.
The basic rider course, offered on Oahu at Leeward Community College, requires three hours of online learning prior to a two-day course that includes five hours of in-person classroom instruction and 10 hours of training on motorcycles provided by the school. Students are guided “through the basic skills of straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning, gradually progressing to swerving and emergency braking,” according to the course description. Sessions fill up fast; we couldn’t find open spots until March. The course costs $280 and is offered on weekends. For more information, go to 808ne.ws/4hKQe2Z.
The state DOT explains on its website that as of Dec. 24, 2025, all new applicants for a Class 2 (motorcycle) instruction permit must complete the basic rider course before receiving the permit. This follows the rules of Act 66, 808ne.ws/act66, which was signed into law on May 19, 2025, but took time to implement. Act 66 began as House Bill 1162 and amended Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 286-110.
An adult Hawaii resident can add the Class 2 motorcycle endorsement to their existing Class 3 automobile driver’s license by completing the basic rider course, obtaining a motorcycle instruction permit and then applying for a motorcycle license, according to the DOT website, which outlines the steps at 808ne.ws/4dY2tHh.
An applicant needs a certificate of completion from the basic rider course to obtain the motorcycle permit, and must fulfill other requirements as well, including passing the motorcycle written test. Appointments at Oahu’s driver’s license centers fill up months in advance, so be sure to schedule ahead via alohaq.honolulu.gov, timing your permit appointment for shortly after you would finish your basic riding course; the completion certificate is good for 90 days.
Note: Motorcycle endorsements on driver’s licenses issued by Alabama and reciprocal country driver’s licenses from Japan, Korea and Taiwan are not transferable to Hawaii, according to Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services.
Q: While shopping at Pearlridge on Monday, I was surprised to see the satellite city hall open on Discoverers’ Day. Were they making up days lost to the storms?
A: No. City offices were open as usual because although the second Monday in October is designated as Discoverers’ Day in recognition of the Polynesian voyagers who first settled the Hawaiian Islands, it is not an official state holiday. See the list of holidays for county workers at honolulu.gov/dhr/holiday.
Auwe
It’s 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Old Stadium Park. Came here to read my newspaper. No food. Flies are all over the place. Can anything be done? Very unsanitary. Chickens coming by to investigate me too. — Thank you, N.S.
Mahalo
Mahalo to J and N for taking the time to maintain the city roadside around the “hairpin turn” in upper Aiea Heights. They are much appreciated! — Lifelong Aiea Heights resident
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
