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Driving in Hawaii

The rules foreign visitors most often get wrong — with the official source for every fact. Always verify directly before you drive.

Key rules

Max rural interstate speed: 60 mph
H-1 Kapolei–Waipahu, H-3 between tunnels and H-1; else 55. Direct HDOT page not located — verify with HRS §291C-102
Right turn on red: Permitted after full stop (unless signed otherwise)
HRS §291C-32 — verify direct at hidot.hawaii.gov
Seatbelt enforcement (front): Primary enforcement
Listed primary by GHSA; direct DCCA/HDOT confirmation not fetched
Handheld phone: Banned for all drivers ^[1]
Texting while driving: Banned ^[1]
Min liability — bodily injury per person: $20,000 ^[2]
Doubling to 40,000 eff. 2026-01-01
Min liability — bodily injury per accident: $40,000 ^[2]
Doubling to 80,000 eff. 2026-01-01
Min liability — property damage: $10,000 ^[2]
Doubling to 20,000 eff. 2026-01-01; also PIP $10K
Motorcycle helmet: Required for some riders (see notes) ^[3]
Required for riders under 18; adults not required
Move-over law: Yes — required to move over / slow for emergency vehicles ^[4]
Studded tires: Prohibited (limited emergency exceptions) ^[5]
HRS §291-33 — prohibited except Mauna Kea Science Reserve
Marijuana in vehicle: Open container / consumption in vehicle illegal ^[6]
Medical only; recreational not legalized

Every claim above links to its numbered source here. If a link is broken, or you believe a fact is outdated, please let us know.

[1] HRS §291C-137 — Mobile Electronic Device Ban — Hawaii Legislature · accessed 2026-04-23
[2] Hawaii DCCA — Auto Minimum Limits FAQ (2026) — Hawaii DCCA · accessed 2026-04-23
Min liability DOUBLES to 40/80/20 eff. 2026-01-01
[3] HDOT — Motorcycles, Scooters, and Mopeds — Hawaii DOT · accessed 2026-04-23
[4] NHTSA — Move Over, It's the Law — NHTSA · accessed 2026-04-23
[5] HRS §291-33 — Studded Tires Prohibited — Hawaii Legislature · accessed 2026-04-23
[6] Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry — Hawaii Dept. of Health · accessed 2026-04-23