🇺🇸 United States · All states

Driving in Hawaii

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

Hawaii is the most unusual US driving environment. Each of the four main rental islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island) is essentially its own self-contained system — you cannot drive between islands; cars come on inter-island ferries (limited) or by rental at each airport. Speed limits and posted regulations follow US conventions (mph, MUTCD signage) but the road geometry is rural-island in feel even on Oahu.

Oahu has Hawaii's only Interstate freeways (H-1, H-2, H-3), built to federal standards even though they do not connect to the mainland system. Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island have only two-lane state highways. Speed limits are universally lower than mainland equivalents.

Hawaii's minimum liability insurance is doubling from $20K/$40K/$10K to $40K/$80K/$20K effective January 1, 2026. Rental car insurance now must meet the higher minimum.

The headline rule

Road to Hana (Maui, HI-360): drive the loop clockwise

The famous Road to Hana on Maui is 100 km of switchbacks, one-lane bridges, and waterfalls. Local etiquette and practical wisdom is to drive the loop clockwise — Hana via the north shore in the morning, return via the southern Pi'ilani Highway in the afternoon. The reverse direction puts you on the inside (cliff) lane for the morning traffic. Rental companies allow the route in most cases but the Pi'ilani back-side is often signed "Not Recommended for Rental Cars" — it is paved and open, but flat-tyre rate is higher.

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

Famous driving routes in Hawaii

Tips for foreign visitors

Tolls in Hawaii

Hawaii has no toll roads. Some bridges (Honolulu HOT lane study, etc.) are in planning but nothing is currently active.

Primary resources for Hawaii

Sources

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. [1]HRS §291C-137 — Mobile Electronic Device Ban — Hawaii Legislature · accessed 2026-04-23
  2. [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. [3]HDOT — Motorcycles, Scooters, and Mopeds — Hawaii DOT · accessed 2026-04-23
  4. [4]NHTSA — Move Over, It's the Law — NHTSA · accessed 2026-04-23
  5. [5]HRS §291-33 — Studded Tires Prohibited — Hawaii Legislature · accessed 2026-04-23
  6. [6]Hawaii Medical Cannabis Registry — Hawaii Dept. of Health · accessed 2026-04-23
Hawaii — driving rules for international visitors — Drive This World