Hawaii DMV · Quick Reference 2026

Hawaii DMV Test Cheat Sheet

Every key number, rule, and fact from the Hawaii Driver's Manual (HMG 5/2023) — on one page. Bookmark it or print it.

🏎️ Speed Limits

H-1 / H-2 / H-3 (Oahu)Up to 60 mph (posted)

Rural state highwayAs posted

2-lane highwayAs posted

Urban district (unless posted)As posted

Residential / business areaAs posted

School zone (when posted)15–25 mph

Slow moving vehicle emblem25 mph or less

Work zone — finesMay be doubled

💡 Hawaii follows the "basic speed" rule: drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for traffic, road, and weather conditions — even below the posted limit if conditions require it.

🅿️ Parking Distances

From fire hydrant10 feet MEMORIZE

From crosswalk at intersection20 feet

From fire station driveway20 feet (75 ft opposite side)

From stop sign / yield / signal30 feet

From railroad crossing50 feet

From curb (parallel parking)12 inches

Max continuous parking24 hours

In front of a drivewayNever — prohibited

💡 Parking is also prohibited where less than 10 feet of street width remains for free traffic movement, on the wrong side of the street, double-parked, or alongside another parked vehicle.

🍺 Alcohol & DUI Laws

BAC limit — drivers 21+.08

BAC limit — under 21.02 Zero tolerance

"Impaired" range.05 – .07

Implied ConsentTest required by law

Refuse — 1st contact1 year revocation

Refuse — 2nd contact2 years revocation

Refuse — 3rd+ contact4 years revocation

Fail chemical test (.08+)License taken — 30-day temp permit

Open container (driver area)Prohibited on any public road

Open container max fine$5,000 + 30 days jail

⚠️ Hawaii has Implied Consent — by driving on a public highway you've already consented to BAC testing. Refusing carries a longer revocation than failing. Once alcohol is in your blood, NOTHING (coffee, food, cold shower) lessens the effect — only time.

⚖️ DUI / Administrative Revocation

Action	Result	Notes
BAC .08+ or refusal	License taken on the spot	30-day temp permit issued (Administrative License Revocation)
BAC .02+ (under 21)	Zero Tolerance violation	License revocation + administrative penalty
Refuse — 1st contact	1 year revocation	Plus possible DUI charge
Refuse — 2nd contact	2 years revocation	Plus possible DUI charge
Refuse — 3rd+ contact	4 years revocation	Plus possible DUI charge
Open container (HRS 291)	Up to $5,000 fine	Or 30 days jail / license suspension / vehicle reg forfeiture

📏 Key Distances & Rules

Signal before any maneuver100 feet

Following distance (normal)2-second rule

Following — rain / motorcycle4 seconds (double)

Stop from RR (signal/gate/train within)15 feet from nearest rail

Train audible warning range1,500 feet

No passing — intersection / RR / bridge / tunnel100 feet

No passing — hill / curve clear distance700 – 1,000 feet

Pass bicyclist clearance3 feet minimum

Hydroplaning starts35 mph (standing water)

Tires lose contact (heavy rain)55 mph

Don't follow fire engineWithin 500 feet

Tire tread — replace atLess than 1/16 inch

Steering free play (power)Max 2 inches

Steering free play (manual)Max 3 inches

💡 The 2-second rule: pick a fixed point ahead. When the vehicle in front passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." If you reach the point first, you're following too close. Double it in rain or behind motorcycles.

🔷 Sign Shapes

Shape	Meaning	Example
Octagon (8 sides)	STOP	Stop sign
Inverted triangle	YIELD	Yield sign
Diamond	WARNING	Curves, merges, hills
Pentagon (5 sides)	SCHOOL	School zone/crossing
Circle	RAILROAD	Advance RR warning
Pennant	NO PASSING	No passing zone (left side)
Vertical rectangle	REGULATORY	Speed limits, rules
Horizontal rectangle	GUIDE	Directions, distances
Crossbuck (X)	RR CROSSING	At the crossing itself

🎨 Sign Colors

Color	Meaning
🔴 Red	Stop, yield, do not enter, prohibition
⬜ White	Regulatory — rules and laws
🟡 Yellow	Warning — hazards ahead
🟢 Green	Guide — directions, distances
🔵 Blue	Services — gas, food, hospital
🟠 Orange	Construction / work zone
🟤 Brown	Parks, recreation, historic
💛 Yellow-Green	Pedestrian, school, bicycle

↗️ Right-of-Way Rules

→At a 4-way stop: first to arrive goes first. If tied, driver on the RIGHT goes first.
→At an uncontrolled intersection: yield to the vehicle on the RIGHT.
→Turning left: always yield to oncoming straight-through traffic.
→Entering from alley, driveway, or private road: stop and yield to ALL traffic.
→At a T-intersection (no signs): the vehicle on the terminating road yields.
→Pedestrians in a crosswalk: ALWAYS yield — marked or unmarked.
→Emergency vehicles with lights/sirens: reduce speed, move out of the path, and STOP.
→Funeral processions and convoys have the right-of-way at intersections — never drive between vehicles in the procession.

🚌 School Bus Rules

→When a school bus is stopped with red lamps flashing, ALL vehicles in the same direction (same lane and adjacent lanes) must STOP.
→Exception: on a DIVIDED highway, vehicles traveling in the OPPOSITE direction from the stopped school bus are NOT required to stop.
→Penalty for failing to stop: up to $1,000 fine.

🎓 Teen / GDL Laws

Minimum age for instruction permit15½ years

Hold permit for180 days minimum

Supervisor age (in right front seat)21+ licensed

Permit night driving (11p–5a)Parent/guardian only

Driver's ed requiredState-certified course

Provisional license age16

Hold provisional6 months

Full Class 3 license age17

Provisional curfew11 p.m. – 5 a.m.

Provisional passenger limit1 non-household under 18

All occupantsMust use safety belts / restraints

Permit / license feesSet by county

🛡️ Child Restraint & Safety Belts

Under age 4Child safety restraint required

Ages 4–7 (under 4 ft AND under 40 lb)Booster seat

Age 8+ or over 4 ft / 40 lbLap/shoulder seatbelt

Child under 9 unattended in vehicleIllegal for 5+ minutes

All occupantsMust wear seatbelts

Seatbelt enforcementPrimary — officer may stop you for this alone

🏦 Insurance & Financial Responsibility

PIP (No-Fault, per person)$10,000

Bodily injury (per person)$20,000

Bodily injury (per accident)$40,000

Property damage (per accident)$10,000

Crash report thresholdInjury, death, or $3,000+ damage

Proof of insuranceInsurance ID card must be in the vehicle at all times (HRS 431:10C)

📋 License Administration

Vehicle inspection (PMVI)Annual

Ambulance inspectionEvery 6 months

New vehicle — first inspection2 years after first sale

License renewal (Real ID)In-person photo ≤ every 16 yrs

Renew within6 months before expiration

Grace period after expirationNONE — license is void

Renewal window after expiration1 year (no driving allowed)

Address change deadlineWithin 30 days (in writing)

Name changeIn person with proof

Statewide DMV?No — each county runs its own Driver Licensing Office

🚗 Other Must-Know Rules

→Headsets or earphones that cover or go in BOTH ears are prohibited while driving — you must be able to hear sirens, horns, and tire screeches.
→If you must take a phone call, pull over to a safe place and stop until the call is finished. Even hands-free use takes attention away from driving.
→Hill parking in Hawaii: set the hand brake, shift to PARK, and turn the front wheels TOWARD the curb (to the right).
→If a tire blows out: do NOT brake. Grip the wheel firmly, steer to stay in your lane, ease off the gas, slow gradually, then brake.
→If your accelerator sticks: slap the pedal hard, then turn the ignition OFF (not far enough to lock the steering) and apply brakes.
→If your brakes fail: pump the pedal, shift to a lower gear, then gradually apply the parking brake.
→Approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing: slow down and move over to leave an empty lane between you when safe.
→Crashes with injury, death, or property damage of $3,000+ must be reported to police immediately.

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