Some important points/guidelines must be kept in mind while traveling in Hawaii by car:

Driving License

• For driving car in Hawaii, you must possess a driving license either from the USA or from your native county.
• As per US laws, the driving license must have a photograph. If it is without photograph, it must be supported by your passport as a proof of traveler’s identity.
• You native country’s driving license is valid for one year in Hawaii.
• International driving license is not accepted as a valid driving license. (It can be used only for identity proof).

Age Limit for Driving

• Your minimum age must b 25 as a tourist, if you want to rent a car (otherwise minimum driving age is 15 years). Certain car rental agencies also peg maximum age limit to 55 year for renting a car. They charge additional amount from drivers over 55 years.

Speed Limits

·         Speed limit for urban areas is 50mph and for rural areas, it is 60mph.

·         The speed for roads classified as ‘restricted/limited access roads’ limit is pegged at 45mph.

·         Over speeding is punishable with fine in Hawaii which start from $27 and $5 per mile traveled is added to this fine.

·         Foreign tourists should remember that as like everywhere in the US Hawaii also has right hand traffic.

Seat Belts

·         Every body sitting in the front seats including driver must wear the seat belt. It is compulsory.

·        Children aged below the age of four years, are required to be seated only in a child booster seat.

The Rush Hours

·         The rush hours fall between 6.00 AM to 8.30 AM in the morning and 3.30 PM to 6.00 PM in the evening.

Mind Your Turns

·        Taking a right turn during the red signal is thoroughly permitted in Hawaii unless it is specifically prohibited.

·         The tourist must look out for the traffic signals to check that the road he is entering one-way or two-way.

Parking Rules

·         Parking regulations are strictly enforced in Hawaii. So you must ensure to check parking sign before parking your vehicle otherwise it could be towed away by the traffic police if you have parked your vehicle at a place which is not meant for parking.

·         Also if you have parked at a place reserved for persons with disabilities, it can get you a $150 fine.

Driving and Drinking

·         Here, if you are driving after having hard drink, you are inviting trouble for you. In Hawaii, laws are very stringent for drunk drivers. If alcohol content more than 0.8% is found in your blood when you are driving, traffic officer may fine you for drunk driving.

·         If asked for, you can’t decline to take alcohol test.

General Rules

·         In case you are fined for violating any of the traffic rules you cannot pay the fine to the ticketing officer directly. It is considered as an attempt to bribe the officer on duty.

·         The fine amount should be either posted or paid in person at the court of law.

·         Tourists should be aware that horns are used very rarely. You should press the horn only to caution the other drivers or the traffic officer about an emergency situation such as a breakdown or an accident.

·         If a passing-by driver lets you to change the lane, it’s customary here to give him the ‘shaka sign’ – i.e. fold your three middle fingers and stretching out the thumb and little finger to say him “thanks”.