This guide summarizes the Hawaii traffic laws most likely to appear on the Hawaii Driver Licensing permit knowledge exam. Each section covers the rule, the typical penalty in Hawaii, and the way the exam is most likely to phrase the question.
Speed limits
Hawaii sets maximum posted limits of about 60 mph on rural interstates, 55 mph on rural state highways, and 25 mph in typical urban districts. School zones drop to 15 mph during posted hours or when children are present. The basic speed law overrides any posted limit when conditions such as fog, rain, or traffic require slower speeds.
Right of way
At a four way stop, the vehicle that arrives first goes first. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. At an uncontrolled intersection, traffic on the through road has right of way over traffic entering from a side road. Pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks always have right of way over turning vehicles.
Alcohol and impairment
Hawaii sets the per se BAC limit at 0.08 percent for adult drivers of passenger vehicles, 0.02 percent for drivers under 21, and 0.04 percent for commercial drivers. By driving on Hawaii roads you give implied consent to chemical testing if a peace officer has probable cause to suspect impairment. Refusing the test triggers automatic license suspension separate from any criminal charge.
Distracted driving
Hawaii has enacted a hands-free phone law. Holding a wireless device to the ear while driving is prohibited for all drivers regardless of age. New permit and provisional license holders typically face stricter restrictions, often a complete prohibition on phone use while driving.
Seat belts and child safety
Hawaii requires all front seat occupants to wear a seat belt. Most rear seat occupants are also required to be belted. Children must be secured in age and weight appropriate restraints, generally rear-facing under age two, forward-facing harness through age four or fifty pounds, booster seat through age eight or four feet nine inches, and seat belt thereafter. Specific cutoffs vary slightly by state.
Parking and stopping
Hawaii prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a stop sign or signal, and 50 feet of a railroad crossing. You may not park in front of a public driveway, on a sidewalk, in a bike lane, or in any space marked for accessibility unless you display the appropriate placard.
Move over law
Hawaii requires drivers to move one lane away from a stopped emergency, tow, maintenance, or utility vehicle displaying flashing lights on the shoulder. If a lane change is unsafe, slow significantly below the posted speed and proceed with caution. Violations carry steep fines.
School buses
You must stop for a school bus with extended stop arm and flashing red lights on undivided roadways in Hawaii. On a divided highway with a physical median, oncoming traffic does not need to stop, but traffic in the same direction as the bus always must. Penalties for passing a stopped school bus are severe and often involve license suspension.
For practice questions on these topics, take the Hawaii permit practice test.