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CDL training in Hawaii
Free and low-cost CDL training in Hawaii
Public colleges with CDL programs, grants that can pay your tuition, and companies that will train you for free, with the official Hawaii links you need.
Public colleges and career centers with CDL training
These 2 public programs were checked on their own websites. Prices and schedules change, so confirm before you apply.
Leeward Community College (Workforce Development)
Pearl City (O'ahu), HIClass A, B, school bus, hazmat courses; free for eligible O'ahu residents via Good Jobs Hawai'i (May 2025).
Program page ↗University of Hawai'i Maui College (Extended Learning Workforce Development)
Kahului (Maui), HIRequires employer referral; S/P endorsements optional; Good Jobs Hawaii navigator.
Program page ↗Hawaii programs that can help pay
- Good Jobs Hawai'i: University of Hawai'i Community Colleges initiative offering free short-term training, including commercial motor vehicle/CDL training, for Hawai'i job seekers. Details ↗
Ways to get your CDL paid for
- WIOA grant. Visit a local American Job Center and ask about WIOA training funds. If you qualify (often people who are unemployed, laid off or on a low income), the grant can cover tuition at a school on the state’s approved training provider list.
- Company-paid training. The carriers below train new drivers. You usually agree to drive for them for 6 to 12 months, and may owe part of the cost if you leave early.
- Paid Class B training. School districts, transit agencies and bus companies in Hawaii often pay you while you train.
- GI Bill. Veterans can use GI Bill benefits for approved non-college programs, including truck driving school.
Trucking companies that train new drivers
Local jobs that train you for a CDL
Questions about getting a CDL in Hawaii
Can I get a CDL at 18 in Hawaii?
Federal rules require you to be 21 to drive across state lines. Check with Hawaii DOT and county driver licensing offices about in-state driving under 21.
Is there free CDL training in Hawaii?
Often, yes. If you qualify, a WIOA grant from your local American Job Center can pay tuition at an approved school. Several trucking companies also train new drivers for free in exchange for a work commitment, and many school districts and transit agencies pay you while you train for a Class B.
How much does CDL school cost in Hawaii?
Prices vary by school. Community college programs usually cost less than private truck schools. Ask whether the price includes testing, the DOT physical and the road test truck.
How long does it take to get a CDL?
Most full-time Class A programs take 3 to 8 weeks. You also need a DOT medical card and a learner’s permit before behind-the-wheel training, and a skills test at the end.
Fuel prices, CDL schools, freight corridors and carriers near you.
Sources: official Hawaii licensing and workforce pages linked above, each school’s own program page, FMCSA, and EIA fuel prices (week of Nov 2, 2026). Checked Nov 9, 2026. Programs, prices and dates change, so confirm with the school before you apply.