Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has authorized Driver’s Education instructors to resume in-person classes and behind-the-wheel training as part of the State’s Graduated Licensing Program on Aug. 1, 2020. Instructors may teach classes in-person, virtually, or by using a combination of these methods.

HDOT has provided Driver’s Education instructors with the following guidelines on in-person classes:

• Instructors must follow CDC guidelines for small in-person classes including hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, use of cloth face coverings, and posting of signs to promote protective measures
• Class size is limited to 10 people per class
• Waivers/Liability forms must be signed by the student or guardian prior to participation in class
• Students and guardians must be educated NOT to attend classes if they are sick. Instructors should also ask students and guardians screening questions prior to participation in class
• All class participants (instructor and students) must wear non-medical grade face masks or face shields if a medical condition prevents the use of a face covering
• Pre-class non-contact temperature checks are recommended
• High-touch points within the classroom should be sanitized per CDC guidance
• Instructors are to provide hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes or have students bring their own sanitizers
• All class participants are encouraged to frequently wash their hands for at least 20 seconds
• Instructors should space classroom seating at least 6-feet apart
• Classes are NOT to be more than 5 hours in duration
• The 30 hours of classroom instruction must be spaced out over a 6-week period
• The 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training can be taught concurrently or after classroom instruction

HDOT Highway Safety staff will maintain copies of instructor records such as waivers, student logs, and schedules.

Behind-the-wheel training by Driver’s Education instructors is also permitted to resume for instructors with approved COVID safety plans. Instructors are encouraged to follow CDC guidance for drivers-for-hire to the extent practicable.

The traveling public is reminded that behind-the-wheel road tests are administered by their respective county and that availability of appointments varies. Contacts for the county driver’s licensing offices are:

Oahu – https://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/38020-city-services-smart-options.html

Maui County – https://www.mauicounty.gov/2125/DMV-Wait-Times

Hawaii Island – https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/vehicle-registration-licensing

Kauai – https://www.kauai.gov/DriversLicense

HDOT appreciates the cooperation of driver’s education instructors in reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and encourages the public to stay informed through local media and through official websites such as https://hidot.hawaii.gov/ and https://hawaiicovid19.com/

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