Hawaii CDL — General Knowledge: Penalties & Licensing Practice Test

Question 1

For how long is a Hawaii Commercial Learner's Permit valid, and can it be renewed?

Accepted Answer

180 days, with one 180-day renewal that does not require new knowledge tests — The permit is good for 180 days. It can be renewed one time for a further 180 days, and the knowledge tests do not have to be retaken for that renewal.

Answer

90 days, with no renewal

Answer

One year, renewable every year

Answer

Two years, matching the medical certificate

Question 2

What is the maximum time Hawaii allows for the entire practical test (pre-trip, basic control skills and road test)?

Accepted Answer

An hour and a half in a Class B or smaller vehicle; two hours in a Class A vehicle — Hawaii caps the whole practical test at one and one-half hours when a Class B or lower vehicle is used, and at two hours when the test vehicle is Class A.

Answer

One hour for any vehicle

Answer

Three hours for any vehicle

Answer

There is no time limit

Question 3

A Hawaii driver is convicted of breaking a law against texting while driving a CMV. Where does that fall on Hawaii's list, and when does a suspension apply?

Accepted Answer

It is a serious traffic violation; a 60-day suspension applies for the second violation — Texting while driving a CMV appears on Hawaii's list of serious traffic violations (HRS 286-231). For serious traffic violations, the manual says the suspension is 60 days and applies on the second violation.

Answer

It is a major offense; one year for a first offense

Answer

It is a railroad-crossing offense; 60 days for a first offense

Answer

It is not a disqualifying offense at all

Question 4

Which method does Hawaii use to conduct the pre-trip inspection portion of the skills test?

Accepted Answer

The random (partial) method — Hawaii uses the random, or partial, method for the pre-trip inspection. Some basic control maneuvers are chosen at random as well.

Answer

A full inspection of every item, every time

Answer

A written quiz in place of the walk-around

Answer

A video-recorded inspection reviewed later

Question 5

What does the manual say a Hawaii Driver History Record includes?

Accepted Answer

Driver identification and license information, a history of convictions and withdrawals, and, optionally, accidents — The record holds information identifying the driver, driver's license information, the driver's convictions and withdrawals, and, optionally, accidents.

Answer

Only the driver's current address and photo

Answer

Employer payroll records and hours-of-service logs

Answer

Vehicle registration and insurance history only

Question 6

A Hawaii applicant takes the general knowledge test and two special knowledge tests. Using the manual's fee list, what do the three tests cost in total?

Accepted Answer

$25 — The fee list shows $15 for the general knowledge test and $5 for each special knowledge test. One general test plus two special tests comes to $25.

Answer

$15

Answer

$20

Answer

$45

Question 7

During Hawaii's pre-trip inspection test, you fail the air brake test. What happens?

Accepted Answer

It is an automatic failure of the pre-trip inspection, and the test is discontinued at that point — Hawaii treats failing the air brake test as automatically failing the pre-trip inspection, and the test stops there. Since the pre-trip comes first, you do not go on to the basic control skills or road tests.

Answer

You continue, and the points are averaged

Answer

You receive Code L and move on to the road test

Answer

You may repeat the air brake check twice

Question 8

In which two situations does Hawaii's manual say you will receive Code L, the restriction against air brake equipped vehicles?

Accepted Answer

You have not passed the knowledge test on air brakes, or the vehicle you test in lacks air brakes — Code L restricts you from vehicles with air brakes. You get it if the air brake knowledge test has not been passed, or when the vehicle you bring to the skills tests has no air brakes.

Answer

You fail the vision test, or you are under 21

Answer

You test in an automatic, or you test in a bus

Answer

You hold a learner's permit, or you hold a medical variance

Question 9

Hawaii's manual lists items to bring to the skills test. Which of these is NOT on the list?

Accepted Answer

A printed copy of the CDL manual — The list covers seven items: driver's license, permit, medical certificate, vehicle registration, insurance ID card, inspection certificate and the receipt for the test payment. Memory aids are also barred during testing.

Answer

Your medical certificate

Answer

The vehicle's insurance identification card and inspection certificate

Answer

Your test payment receipt

Question 10

During a Hawaii practical test, an applicant refuses to follow the examiner's instructions. What follows?

Accepted Answer

The test is cancelled, and there is a mandatory minimum wait of one week before a new one — Refusing or failing to do what the examiner instructs, at any point before or during the practical test, gets the test cancelled, and a new one has to be scheduled. Hawaii then makes you wait at least one week; the wait is mandatory.

Answer

The applicant gets a warning and continues

Answer

Only that maneuver is scored as failed

Answer

The applicant may restart the test the same afternoon

Question 11

Which agency can take a CDL driver off the road by declaring the driver an 'imminent hazard,' and what can violating that disqualification bring?

Accepted Answer

FMCSA; a one-year disqualification — The manual gives that power to FMCSA, which acts by determining that the driver is an imminent hazard. A driver who violates it can be disqualified for one year.

Answer

The county licensing office; a $50 fine

Answer

The motor carrier; a 24-hour out-of-service order

Answer

The driver's medical examiner; a new physical

Question 12

A Hawaii CDL carries restriction Code N. What does it mean?

Accepted Answer

No Class A or Class B passenger vehicle; the holder is limited to Class C passenger vehicles — Code N means no Class A or Class B passenger vehicle, so the holder is restricted to Class C passenger vehicles. As a restriction code it is separate from the N (tank vehicle) endorsement.

Answer

No manual transmission CMV

Answer

No cargo in a CMV tank vehicle

Answer

Not valid for interstate commerce

Hawaii CDL — General Knowledge: Penalties & Licensing practice test

Study questions with answers

1. For how long is a Hawaii Commercial Learner's Permit valid, and can it be renewed?

2. What is the maximum time Hawaii allows for the entire practical test (pre-trip, basic control skills and road test)?

3. A Hawaii driver is convicted of breaking a law against texting while driving a CMV. Where does that fall on Hawaii's list, and when does a suspension apply?

4. Which method does Hawaii use to conduct the pre-trip inspection portion of the skills test?

5. What does the manual say a Hawaii Driver History Record includes?

6. A Hawaii applicant takes the general knowledge test and two special knowledge tests. Using the manual's fee list, what do the three tests cost in total?

7. During Hawaii's pre-trip inspection test, you fail the air brake test. What happens?

8. In which two situations does Hawaii's manual say you will receive Code L, the restriction against air brake equipped vehicles?

9. Hawaii's manual lists items to bring to the skills test. Which of these is NOT on the list?

10. During a Hawaii practical test, an applicant refuses to follow the examiner's instructions. What follows?

11. Which agency can take a CDL driver off the road by declaring the driver an 'imminent hazard,' and what can violating that disqualification bring?

12. A Hawaii CDL carries restriction Code N. What does it mean?

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