Hawaii driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from State of Hawaii Driver’s Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Hawaii Revised Statutes: HRS Chapter 286, Parts I-IV and VI: Highway Safety (definitions, inspection, registration, safety equipment, driver licensing), HRS Chapter 286C: Driver License Compact, HRS Chapter 287: Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, HRS Chapter 291: Traffic Violations, HRS Chapter 291C: Statewide Traffic Code, HRS Chapter 291D: Adjudication of Traffic Infractions, HRS Chapter 291E: Use of Intoxicants While Operating a Vehicle, HRS Chapter 431, Article 10C, Parts I-III: Motor Vehicle Insurance, HRS Chapter 281, Section 281-101.5: Prohibitions involving minors, HRS Chapter 707, Sections 707-702.5 to 707-706: Negligent homicide and negligent injury, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 7 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
In Hawaii you must not park on or so close to a crosswalk that your vehicle blocks other drivers' view of pedestrians. A van parked at the crosswalk hides a child stepping out until it is too late to brake.
Parking is prohibited in the following locations:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
In Hawaii you must not park more than 12 inches from the curb. A car parked well out from the curb sticks into the lane where traffic is moving.
Parking is prohibited in the following locations:
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
When a school bus is stopped on a highway with its alternating red lamps flashing, drivers in the bus's lane and in every lane next to it must stop before reaching the bus. Children leaving the bus may walk around its front into the next lane, where a car that did not stop will hit them.
Whenever a school bus is stopped on a highway with alternating red signal lamps flashing, the driver of any motor vehicle on the same highway in the lane occupied by the school bus and all lanes adjacent to the lane occupied by the school bus shall stop the driver’s vehicle before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the flashing red signal lamps are turned off.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
In Hawaii, when you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, slow down or stop as needed and, if possible and safe, move over so an empty lane separates you from it. An officer standing at a stopped patrol car is inches from traffic that does not move over.
If you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, slow down or stop as appropriate for the situation, move away so there is an empty traffic lane separating you and the emergency vehicle, if possible and safe to do so.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency closer than five hundred feet or drive or park such vehicle within five hundred feet of where the emergency vehicle has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-128
As of 7 Oct 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In Hawaii, safety belts must be worn at all times when driving or riding in a vehicle. You are five times more likely to be killed if you are thrown from your car.
They must be worn at all times when driving or riding in a vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
(3) If the child is four years of age or older but less than ten years of age, the person operating the motor vehicle shall ensure that the child is properly restrained in a child passenger restraint system with harness or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards at the time of its manufacture; except as provided in paragraph (4); or
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-11.5(a)(3)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
In Hawaii a driver is considered under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more. At .08 a driver's braking and judgment are slow enough to miss a child stepping into the road.
Under the influence of alcohol if the blood alcohol content is .08 percent or more.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
Under Hawaii's zero tolerance rule, drivers under 21 may not drive with a blood alcohol content of .02 or more. A young driver has little experience, so even a little alcohol adds a lot of risk.
Drivers under 21 are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .02 or more.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
(c) If a respondent has refused to be tested after being informed: (1) That the person may refuse to submit to testing in compliance with section 291E-11; and (2) Of the sanctions of this part and then asked if the person still refuses to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test, in compliance with the requirements of section 291E-15, the revocation imposed under subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) shall be for a period of two years, four years, or eight years, respectively.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291E-41(c)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
In Hawaii you must signal for at least 100 feet before you change lanes, turn or stop. A signal flicked on as the wheel turns gives the driver behind no time to slow down.
Signals must be given for at least 100 feet (30.5m) before you change lanes, turn or stop.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
In Hawaii, after stopping at a red light you may turn right unless a sign prohibits it. A driver who sits at every red for a right turn backs up the lane for no reason.
After stopping, you may turn right except when a sign prohibits such movement.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
After stopping, Hawaii lets you turn left on a red light from a one-way street into a one-way street where traffic moves to the left, unless a sign prohibits it. A driver who turns left on red from a two-way street swings across oncoming lanes that have the green.
After stopping you may also turn left on a red light from a one-way street into a one-way street where traffic is moving to the left, except when a sign prohibits such movement.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for and with lanes marked for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; (3) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-44(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
Do not drive with headsets or earphones that cover or go in both ears; they make it too hard to hear emergency horns or sirens. With both ears covered, the first sign of an ambulance is the ambulance itself in your mirror.
Do not drive with headsets or earphones that cover or go in both ears.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
In Hawaii, keeping an opened alcoholic beverage container where the driver or passengers sit is prohibited on any public road. An open can within reach is too easy for the driver to sip from on the way home.
Storing an opened alcoholic beverage container in the area of a motor vehicle normally occupied by the driver or passengers is prohibited on any public road.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
You must be at least 15½ years old to get a Hawaii instruction permit. Starting earlier would put a learner on the road before the course and practice the program is built around.
You must be at least 15½ years to be eligible for an instruction permit.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
In Hawaii you must hold a valid instruction permit for 180 days before applying for a provisional license. Without a set practice period, a teen could take the road test after only a few drives.
You must hold a valid instruction permit for a period of 180 days before applying for a provisional license.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
With a Hawaii instruction permit you may drive only when supervised by a driver at least 21 years old who is licensed to drive that type of vehicle. A new driver needs someone beside them with years of experience who can spot danger before they do.
An instruction permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle when supervised by another driver who is at least 21 years of age and who is licensed to drive that type of vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
With a Hawaii provisional license you may drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. only with a licensed parent or guardian, unless driving to and from work or a school-authorized activity. Most teen crashes at night happen on trips for fun, not on the way home from a job.
With a provisional license, you may drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. only when accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian unless driving to and from employment or driving to and from the driver’s school-authorized activity.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
A Hawaii provisional license allows you to transport only one person under 18 who is not a household member. Each extra teen friend in the car raises a new driver's chance of crashing.
Your provisional license allows you to transport only one person under age 18 who is not a household member.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
(d) The court shall fine the person convicted of committing the offense of littering at least $100, but not more than $500.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-132(d)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What is the fine for texting while driving?
(f) Every person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of $300 that shall be deposited into the state highway fund; provided that if a person violates this section while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone or construction area, as defined in section 291C-104, the fine shall be $400, which shall be paid to the director of finance pursuant to section 291C-171.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-137(f)
As of 7 Oct 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
(e) No person less than eighteen years of age shall operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or motor scooter on any highway in the State unless the person wears a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap.
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 286-81(e)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(8) Sun screening devices for front side windows and wing windows necessary for driving visibility that are adjacent to the driver and necessary for driving that, when used in conjunction with the glazing material, have a light transmittance of no less than thirty-five per cent plus or minus six per cent;
Hawaii law, Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-21.5(e)(8)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When passing a bicyclist, keep at least 3 feet of space between the bicyclist and your vehicle until you have safely passed. A small wobble from a bump or a gust can move a cyclist a foot or more toward your car.
Motorists should maintain at least 3 feet of space between the bicyclist and their vehicle until they have safely passed.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
In Hawaii, when you are moving slower than other traffic you should drive in the extreme right lane. A slow car in the left lane makes faster cars weave around it on both sides.
When moving slower than other traffic you should drive in the extreme right lane.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
Hawaii's minimum liability coverage for bodily injury is $20,000 per person, with a limit of $40,000 per accident. When you injure two people in one crash, the per-accident limit is what both of them share.
It includes liability coverage of $20,000 per person with an aggregate limit of $40,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
As of 14 Sep 2026
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