HONOLULU (KHON2) -- It will soon be easier for aspiring drivers to take their permit test. A new statewide service is offering a digital option for what used to only be a written exam. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The director of Honolulu's Department of Customer Services said digital permit tests are a major improvement for folks who used to have to make an appointment at Department of Motor Vehicle locations. The online test can only be done through a computer that has a webcam. "But you can you can take it any, any time, not just during city business hours. And what that really does is it frees up appointment slots for renewals and other kinds of transactions that can't be done online," DCS director Kim Hashiro said. The reason for the webcam is security, according to officials. Software is programmed to identify that the person who takes the test is truly the applicant -- it also makes sure they do not look up answers on another device. Zipper Lane to reopen Thursday morning "The person can't change places with someone else or they can be looking down or looking around," Hashiro said. "What it's going to do is give two warnings. And after those two warnings on the third time, it's going to fail the the test." It will cost online applicants $10 to take the digital test, plus a $2 County fee in Honolulu.In-person applicants only have to pay the $2, but everyone has to pay a $5 permit fee to pick up their physical card after they pass the test. The House Transportation Committee chair said digital permit tests mean more time and resources for services that must be done in-person. "And I think when we are already expanding all city staff and resources to do water bills, registration changes, anything, license in person. If we can minimize the excessive staffing that we need and we can do digital stuff like now this permit test, I think it's only going to help our Hawaii residents," Rep. Darius Kila said. "Anything that we can do just to make and streamline the process is just that much easier and only benefits the taxpayer." Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Check the following links for a county-by-county breakdown: City and County of Honolulu - honolulu.gov/csd Hawaii County - https://www.vrl.hawaiicounty.gov/home-vrl Maui County - https://www.mauicounty.gov/ Kauai County - https://www.kauai.gov/Home