SB 2896 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES.

Summary

Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen. Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State. Prohibits a person under twenty-one years of age from operating a commercial motor vehicle outside of state-approved commercial driver training programs or registered apprenticeship programs as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Requires the Department of Transportation to consult with DLIR to amend its rules to allow persons under twenty-one years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle under certain conditions. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2896 → SB2896_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the minimum age for commercial driver's licenses in Hawaii from 19 to 21, reversing a previous reduction. It allows drivers under 21 to operate commercial vehicles only if they are enrolled in state-approved training or apprenticeship programs supervised by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Transportation must update its rules to implement these new age restrictions and coordination requirements.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of eligibility for drivers under 21, restricting them to specific training contexts rather than allowing general commercial driving.

ELIGIBILITY

The minimum age for a commercial driver's license was raised from 19 to 21 years old.

REQUIREMENT

Drivers under 21 are now prohibited from operating commercial vehicles unless they are actively enrolled in a state-approved commercial driver training program or registered apprenticeship.

The Department of Transportation's rulemaking authority was changed from unilaterally lowering the age to implementing the Act in coordination with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

DEFINITION

A new definition was added to clarify that approved programs must be recognized by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

REPORTING

The bill's report title was updated to reflect the inclusion of commercial driver training programs and apprenticeship requirements.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRN, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 316) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2326) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TRS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TRS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to TRS, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 3 co-sponsors