School Bus Driver / Hawaii
2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii School Bus Driver License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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What the Hawaii data shows for School Bus Drivers

To practice as a school bus driver in Hawaii, the state licensing board requires 103 documented education or training hours, a passing score on CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. The regulation sits under Hawaii's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "School Bus Driver Training".

Budget $123 to get started, plus $83 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Hawaii, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, school bus drivers should know: Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
75/100
School Bus Driver · Hawaii

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
103 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$123
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$21/yr
$83 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
School Bus Driver Training
103 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements
Required
Initial License Fee
$123
Renewal Fee
$83
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Bus Driver All Hawaii licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Bus Driver in Hawaii? ▼
In Hawaii, the license path calls for 103 education/training hours, a passing score on CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements, and a $123 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Bus Driver in Hawaii? ▼
To become a licensed school bus driver in Hawaii, you must meet the state's requirements including 103 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Bus Driver license to Hawaii from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for school bus drivers nationally works like this: Federal CDL recognized nationwide. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Hawaii. Verify the specifics with the Hawaii licensing board.
Does Hawaii require a background check for School Bus Driver licensing? ▼
Yes, Hawaii requires a criminal background check as part of the school bus driver licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this school bus driver license

School Bus Driver in Hawaii, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school bus driver-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Hawaii's school bus driver requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Bus Driver in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school bus driver license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Hawaii's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Hawaii overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Hawaii licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.