Hawai‘i-issued limited-purpose driver licenses recognized in Florida

All Hawai‘i driver licenses are now recognized in the State of Florida, including Hawai‘i-issued limited-purpose driver licenses.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation worked with Florida officials to clear any misconceptions about Hawai‘i’s limited-purpose driver licenses, especially informing them that this form of licensing is not exclusively issued to those without a legal presence in the U.S. A limited-purpose driver license can be obtained in Hawai‘i by U.S. citizens if they choose to do so instead of getting a REAL ID credential.

The Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen thanked officials in Florida for working with them in recognizing this form of licensing in their state, adding: “We take concerns about our documenting and licensing processes seriously because our residents depend on their reliability.”

Hawai’i is one of 19 states and the District of Columbia that offers limited-purpose driver licenses. This license is part of a Hawai‘i program that started in January 2016 and offers vulnerable people who may not have the documents needed to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license an option for driving credentials.

The State of Hawai‘i‘s limited-purpose driver license can be used only for driving and is not accepted officially for federal purposes and does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.

As of July 1, 2023, Hawai‘i has issued 10,323 licenses. To find out more about the program, click here.