roadwise.Open study app

Hawaii driver handbook guide

Hawaii driver handbook guide.

Use this guide to navigate the 16 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s Hawaii course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 44 companion lessons.

Read the handbook in Roadwise Open source PDF
Handbook chapters
16
Source PDF pages
132
Companion lessons
44
Licensing agency
DMV

A way through the handbook

Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.

For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.

Chapter list

  1. Introduction Source p. 1
  2. Definition of Terms Source p. 8
  3. Chapter I: Licensing of Drivers Source p. 10
  4. Chapter II: Vehicle Equipment and Inspection Source p. 18
  5. Chapter III: Vehicle Registration Source p. 21
  6. Chapter IV: The Driver Source p. 24
  7. Chapter V: Traffic Laws, Ordinances, Rules and Regulations Source p. 26
  8. Chapter VI: Signals, Signs and Lane Markings Source p. 33
  9. Chapter VII: Crash Procedures Source p. 52
  10. Chapter VIII: No Fault Insurance and Financial Responsibility Source p. 53
  11. Chapter IX: Alcohol and Other Drugs Source p. 55
  12. Chapter X: Safe Driving Techniques Source p. 57
  13. Chapter XI: Trucks, Buses and Motorcycles Source p. 85
  14. Chapter XII: Pedestrian Safety Source p. 95
  15. Chapter XIII: Bicycle Safety Source p. 97
  16. Appendix: Questions with Illustrations Source p. 100

What you will find in each chapter

Chapter 1 · source p. 1

Introduction

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Official
  • City & County of Honolulu
  • County of Hawaii
  • County of Kauai
  • County of Maui
  • RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES and WEBSITES
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 2 · source p. 8

Definition of Terms

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Definitions
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 3 · source p. 10

Chapter I: Licensing of Drivers

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Persons Exempted From License
  • Who Cannot Be Licensed
  • Hawaii Licenses
  • Preliminary Examinations
  • Driving By Minors
  • Category 4 License
  • License Renewal
  • Driver Performance Test
  • (Category 1 & 2)
  • Light Motor Vehicle Test (Category 3 License)
  • National Driver’S Registry Service
  • Organ Donor Program
  • License Display
  • Traffic Citations
  • Advance Health Care Directive
  • Driver’S License For Mopeds
  • Veteran Status
  • Advance Heal
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 4 · source p. 18

Chapter II: Vehicle Equipment and Inspection

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Equipment Required
  • Illegal Equipment
  • Safety Inspection Of Vehicles
  • Vehicle Condition And Maintenance And Application For Title
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 5 · source p. 21

Chapter III: Vehicle Registration

This chapter’s sections include:

  • First Registration
  • Motor Vehicle Registration And Title
  • Renewal Applications
  • Renewal By Mail
  • Renewal Online
  • Certificate Of Registration
  • U.S. Armed Forces Members Exemption
  • New Vehicles Purchased In Hawaii
  • New Vehicles Purchased In Another Jurisdiction
  • New Vehicles Purchased In A Foreign Country
  • Used Vehicles Purchased In A Foreign Country
  • Used Vehicles Purchased In Another Jurisdiction
  • Another State In Your Name
  • Display Of License Plates
  • Moped Licensing The Driver
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 6 · source p. 24

Chapter IV: The Driver

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Emotional Aspects Of Driving
  • Medical Aspects Of Driving
  • Driver Age And Crashes
  • Problems Of The Younger Driver
  • Problems Of The Older Driver
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 7 · source p. 26

Chapter V: Traffic Laws, Ordinances, Rules and Regulations

This chapter’s sections include:

  • General
  • Police Officers
  • Traffic Signs And Markings
  • Driving On Right Side Of Roadway
  • Driving On The Left Side Of Roadway
  • Passing On The Right
  • One-Way Roadways
  • Driving On Roadways Marked With Traffic Lanes
  • Following Too Closely
  • Driving On Divided Highways
  • Required Signals
  • Railroad Crossings
  • Speed Restrictions
  • Parking
  • Tow-Away Zones
  • Interference With Driver
  • Unattended Motor Vehicle
  • Emergency Vehicles
  • Funeral Processions And Convoys
  • No Passing Rules
  • Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem The Rules Of Right-Of-Way
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 8 · source p. 33

Chapter VI: Signals, Signs and Lane Markings

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Traffic Signs, Signals And Markings
  • Pavement Markings
  • Traffic Signals
  • Traffic Signs
  • Warning Signs
  • Guide And Information Signs
  • Construction And Maintenance Devices
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 9 · source p. 52

Chapter VII: Crash Procedures

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Crash Procedures
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 10 · source p. 53

Chapter VIII: No Fault Insurance and Financial Responsibility

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Whom Does It Affect?
  • Involving Vehicles?
  • What Is The Penalty For Non-Compliance?
  • Who Needs Motor Vehicle Insurance?
  • What Are The Minimum Mandatory Coverages?
  • When Can I Sue Or Be Sued?
  • What Is The Penalty? The Law
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 11 · source p. 55

Chapter IX: Alcohol and Other Drugs

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Alcohol And Other Drugs
  • Other Drugs
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 12 · source p. 57

Chapter X: Safe Driving Techniques

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Driving Habits
  • Laziness
  • Impatience
  • Inattention
  • Arrogance
  • Ignorance
  • Distracted Driving
  • Defensive Driving
  • Attentiveness
  • Driver’S Condition
  • Vehicle Condition
  • Trip Plan
  • Pre-Starting
  • Post-Starting
  • Safety Belts
  • Belted
  • Backing Your Vehicle
  • Entering Traffic
  • Roundabout
  • Choosing A Proper Traffic Lane
  • Lane Changing
  • Vehicle Speed
  • Turns And Curves
  • Overtaking And Passing
  • Passing Parked Cars
  • Stopping In Traffic
  • Use Of Brakes
  • Downshifting
  • Parking
  • Parking On A Hill
  • Angle Parking
  • Parallel Parking
  • Parking Restrictions
  • Turn, Stop And Hazard Warning Signals
  • Hazard Warning Signals
  • Stop Signals
  • Use Of Turn Signals
  • Traffic Mix
  • Driving In Inclement Weather
  • Freeway Driving
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Entering The Freeway
  • Driving On The Freeway
  • Emergency Stops
  • Leaving The Freeway
  • Emergency Driving Procedures
  • Tire Blowouts
  • Loss Of Wheel
  • Brake Failure
  • Steering Failure
  • Wheels Off Pavement
  • Overtaking Vehicle In Danger
  • Oncoming Vehicle In Your Lane
  • Accelerator Stuck Open
  • Power Steering Failure
  • Skids
  • Fire
  • Breakdowns Or Engine Failure
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 13 · source p. 85

Chapter XI: Trucks, Buses and Motorcycles

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Trucks, Trailers, Buses And Motorcycles
  • Drivers Of Large Vehicles
  • Limitations Of Large Vehicles
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Towing Trailers
  • Sharing The Road With Motorcycles
  • Size
  • Lane Position
  • Intersections
  • Following Distance
  • Passing And Being Passed
  • Operator’S License
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 14 · source p. 95

Chapter XII: Pedestrian Safety

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Summary Of Facts
  • Stopping For A School Bus
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 15 · source p. 97

Chapter XIII: Bicycle Safety

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Bicycles
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 16 · source p. 100

Appendix: Questions with Illustrations

This chapter’s sections include:

  • General Test Questions
  • City & County of Honolulu
  • County of Hawaii
  • County of Kauai
  • Lihue Civic Center
  • County of Maui
  • Hana Office
  • Lanai Office
  • Molokai Office
Open this handbook chapter

Turn the reading into a study routine

The Hawaii course groups the source material into 9 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.

Unit 1 · 6 lessons

Your License

Permits, GDL, license classes, REAL ID, renewal, road test

  1. Getting your instruction permit
  2. License classes and CDL categories
  3. Provisional license rules (under 18)
  4. REAL ID, renewal and keeping your license current
  5. Who needs a license, who can't get one, and key terms
  6. The road test, restrictions and traffic citations

Unit 2 · 4 lessons

Vehicle Equipment & Registration

Required equipment, inspections, registering and titling

  1. Required and prohibited equipment
  2. Safety inspections, tires and vehicle checks
  3. Registering your vehicle and keeping it current
  4. Buying or bringing in a vehicle, plates and mopeds

Unit 3 · 7 lessons

Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way

Attitude, lanes, signals, speed, parking, right-of-way, freeways

  1. You, your attitude and crash risk
  2. Keeping right, passing on the right, and signaling
  3. Speed limits, following distance and railroad crossings
  4. Parking: where you can't, and how to do it right
  5. Emergency vehicles, processions and leaving your car
  6. Right-of-way at intersections
  7. Freeway driving

Unit 4 · 8 lessons

Signs, Signals & Markings

Pavement markings, signals, signs, no-passing zones, work zones

  1. Centerlines, lane lines and edgelines
  2. Stop lines, crosswalks and special markings
  3. Traffic lights, arrows and flashing signals
  4. Lane-control and pedestrian signals
  5. Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs
  6. Warning signs and guide signs
  7. No-passing rules and slow-moving vehicles
  8. Work zones

Unit 5 · 2 lessons

Crashes & Insurance

What to do after a crash, no-fault insurance basics

  1. What to do after a crash
  2. No-fault insurance and financial responsibility

Unit 6 · 2 lessons

Alcohol & Drugs

BAC limits, implied consent, other drugs

  1. BAC limits, implied consent and license revocation
  2. How alcohol and drugs affect you, and open containers

Unit 7 · 8 lessons

Safe Driving Techniques

Habits, seeing, belts, lanes, speed, braking, weather, emergencies

  1. Bad driving habits and distraction
  2. Defensive driving, seeing, and being ready to drive
  3. Seat belts and child safety
  4. Backing, entering traffic, roundabouts and lane changes
  5. Speed, following distance, turns and passing
  6. Using your brakes and downshifting
  7. Rain, fog, dawn, dusk and night driving
  8. Handling driving emergencies

Unit 8 · 3 lessons

Trucks, Buses & Motorcycles

Sharing the road with large vehicles, trailers and motorcycles

  1. Sharing the road with trucks and buses
  2. Towing a trailer
  3. Sharing the road with motorcycles

Unit 9 · 4 lessons

Pedestrians, School Buses & Bicycles

Pedestrian right-of-way, school buses, sharing the road with cyclists

  1. Pedestrian safety: your duties as driver and walker
  2. Stopping for school buses
  3. Driving near bicyclists
  4. Bicyclist rules and safety