Keeping right, passing on the right, and signaling

Hawaii traffic law starts simple: obey police, signs and markings, and keep right. The details, such as when you may use the left half of the road or pass on the right, and how far ahead to signal, are favorite test questions.

Know the rule

Obey all traffic laws, all lawful orders of a police officer, and all traffic signs, signals and pavement markings.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

Drive on the right half of the roadway and pass oncoming vehicles on the right. On narrow roads, give oncoming vehicles at least one-half of the main traveled portion.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You MAY drive on the left half of the road when:

Passing on a road with two or three lanes of moving traffic and no oncoming traffic
An obstruction blocks your side and oncoming vehicles aren't using the left half
Driving on a one-way street or road

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You must NOT drive on the left half when:

The road has four or more lanes for moving traffic (unless signs direct otherwise)
Approaching the top of a hill or on a curve
Within 100 feet of, or in, an intersection or railroad crossing
Within 100 feet of a bridge or tunnel when you can't see oncoming vehicles

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You may pass on the right:

When the vehicle ahead is about to turn left – but never by driving off the pavement
On a paved road with two or more marked lanes in each direction
On a one-way street with two or more marked lanes

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

On marked lanes, drive entirely within your lane and don't change lanes until it can be done safely. On a divided highway, cross the barrier or unpaved space only at an opening or paved crossing where signs allow.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

100 feet

Minimum signaling distance before you change lanes, turn or stop (about five car lengths)

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Signaling rules:

Signal every time, even when no other vehicles are in sight
Signal for a greater distance at higher speeds
Use hand signals when turn signals aren't working
A signal doesn't give you the right to move – check it's safe first
Don't rest your foot on the brake pedal; it flashes a false stop signal

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Hand signals (with corresponding lights) — Hand signals: left turn, right turn, slow down or stop

Know the rule

If you must slow before a turn or lane change, begin signaling before you slow down.

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Common signaling errors:

Not signaling while stopped at an intersection until the light changes
Signaling too briefly, or only after the move has started
Not signaling a right turn
Not signaling in a lane that requires you to turn
Not signaling because no one seems to be watching

Handbook p. 74 ↗

Hazard warning signals (4-way flash)

Warn others that a vehicle is in a hazardous position on the roadway. Never use them while the vehicle is moving. There is no hand signal for this.

Handbook p. 73 ↗

Why hand signals are harder to use:

Hard to tell apart from other arm motions
Hard to see in darkness and bad weather
Not readily visible to drivers on your right
The driver's window must be open
You steer with one hand while signaling

Handbook p. 73 ↗

Put it into practice

You're on a narrow two-lane road near Hana and a truck approaches. You must give it at least half of the main traveled portion of the road, even if that means squeezing close to the right edge.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

You must drive:

in the lane with the least traffic
on the right half of the roadway
in the left lane unless turning right
near the center line for visibility

Answer: on the right half of the roadway

Hawaii law requires driving on the right half of the roadway.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

On a narrow road, you must allow an oncoming vehicle:

the right-of-way if it is larger
at least half the main traveled portion
the full road while you pull off and stop
at least one-third of the roadway

Answer: at least half the main traveled portion

On narrow roads, oncoming traffic must be given at least half of the main traveled surface.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You may legally drive on the left half of the roadway when:

passing through a busy intersection
within 100 feet of a bridge you can't see past
approaching the top of a blind hill
passing on a 2- or 3-lane road with no oncoming traffic

Answer: passing on a 2- or 3-lane road with no oncoming traffic

You may use the left half to overtake on a road with two or three lanes of moving traffic when no traffic is coming from the opposite direction.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You must NOT drive on the left half of the roadway when:

driving on a marked one-way street
the road has 4+ lanes, unless signs allow
passing on a two-lane road with clear sight
there's an obstruction blocking your lane

Answer: the road has 4+ lanes, unless signs allow

Driving on the left half is prohibited on four-or-more-lane roads unless signs allow it.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

You may lawfully pass another vehicle on the right when:

traffic ahead is heavy and slow
it is about to make a left turn
you're on a narrow one-lane road
it is about to make a right turn

Answer: it is about to make a left turn

Passing on the right is allowed when the vehicle ahead is about to turn left.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Signals for turning, changing lanes, or stopping must be given for at least:

25 feet before the maneuver
200 feet before the maneuver
50 feet before the maneuver
100 feet before the maneuver

Answer: 100 feet before the maneuver

Signals must be given at least 100 feet before the maneuver, about five car lengths.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

You MAY drive on the left half of the road when:

You must NOT drive on the left half when:

You may pass on the right:

Signaling rules:

Common signaling errors:

Hazard warning signals (4-way flash)

Why hand signals are harder to use:

Check your understanding

More in Rules of the Road & Right-of-Way