20 questions from the Hawaii driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What does the use of a turn signal indicate to other drivers?
Answer: Your intent to make a movement. The handbook clarifies that signals show intention but do not grant automatic right-of-way privileges.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 74: “THE SIGNAL ONLY INDICATES YOUR INTENT; IT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE MOVEMENT.”
2. Which lane should through traffic primarily use on a freeway?
Answer: The left or center lanes. The handbook specifies that vehicles traveling through should use the left or center lanes, keeping the right lane available for entering and exiting traffic.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 79: “Through traffic should use the left or center lanes and move at or near the posted speed limit.”
3. According to the handbook, what is the recommended braking technique when trying to avoid an obstacle?
Answer: Apply and release the brakes rapidly while steering toward a clear area. The handbook advises against jamming brakes and instead recommends rapid application and release combined with steering.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 70: “Instead, apply and release the brakes rapidly and STEER the vehicle toward a clear area.”
4. You are stopped behind other vehicles waiting at a stop sign. When the intersection becomes clear, what must you do?
Answer: Stop again at the stop sign or stop line. Even if stopped behind other cars, you are required to come to a complete stop at the designated line before proceeding.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 105: “You must stop again at the stop sign or stop line.”
5. How should you handle a complete brake failure according to the driving procedures?
Answer: Pump the brake pedal quickly, shift to a lower gear, and apply the parking brake gradually. The handbook lists pumping the brake pedal, shifting to a lower gear, and applying the parking brake gradually as the correct steps for brake failure.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 81: “If your brakes fail completely: • Pump the brake pedal quickly; then • Shift to a lower gear.”
6. According to the handbook, what is the minimum distance you must stop from the nearest rail at a railroad crossing when a signal is active?
Answer: Not less than 15 feet (4.6m). The handbook states that vehicles must stop no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail when a train is approaching or signals are active.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 27: “You must stop your vehicle not less than 15 feet (4.6m) from the nearest rail when:”
7. What is the proper procedure for making a right turn on a red light?
Answer: Stop first, then turn right unless prohibited by a sign, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles. The handbook confirms that right turns on red are allowed after stopping and yielding, provided no sign prohibits it.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 39: “After stopping, you may turn right except when a sign prohibits such movement. You must yield to all pedestrians and all vehicles when making such a turn.”
8. Which of the following is a clue that a parked car may suddenly move into your traffic lane?
Answer: There is smoke or visible vapor from the exhaust pipe. The handbook lists visible vapor from the exhaust pipe as a specific indicator that a parked vehicle may be preparing to move.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 69: “Watch for these clues: • Movement within the vehicle or within the vicinity of the vehicle. • Stop lamps, back-up lamps or signal lamps that are illuminated. • Smoke or visible vapor from the exhaust pipe. • A turning movement of the front wheels.”
9. When steering out of a skid, how should you turn the steering wheel?
Answer: Turn the wheel firmly in the direction that the rear of the vehicle is skidding. The handbook instructs drivers to steer in the same direction the rear is sliding, avoiding sudden large movements.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 83: “Turn the steering wheel in the direction that the rear of the vehicle is skidding. Turn the steering wheel firmly but do not make a large sudden turn of the wheel.”
10. What is the correct action if you need to proceed in the opposite direction on a freeway?
Answer: Go to the next exit, leave the freeway, and re-enter in the opposite direction. The handbook states that drivers should go to the next exit, leave the freeway, and re-enter in the opposite direction rather than turning around on the freeway itself.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 79: “If for any reason you must proceed in the opposite direction, go to the next exit, leave the freeway and re-enter in the opposite direction.”
11. What action should a driver take if a conflict appears before completing a passing maneuver?
Answer: Brake sharply and return to the lane behind the overtaken vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to brake sharply and return to their original lane if a conflict arises during the passing process.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 68: “If a conflict appears before you have completed passing, brake sharply and return to the lane behind the overtaken vehicle.”
12. What should a driver do if the lights of an approaching vehicle are too bright at night?
Answer: Flash your high beams once and look at the right edge of the road. The handbook advises flashing high beams once and focusing on the right edge of the road or lane markings when faced with bright oncoming lights.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 77: “If the lights of an approaching vehicle are too bright, flash your high beams once and look at the right edge of the road and use lane markings or reflectors as a guide.”
13. How should a driver interpret a red arrow on a traffic signal?
Answer: It means the same as a circular red light for the indicated lane. The handbook defines a red arrow as having the same meaning as a circular red light for the specific lane it controls.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 109: “Means the same as a circular red light for the indicated lane of traffic.”
14. When a Green Arrow is lighted, what restriction applies to your movement?
Answer: You must turn or proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow. Unlike a standard green light, a green arrow requires movement specifically in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 40: “YOU MUST TURN OR PROCEED IN THE DIRECTION INDICATED BY THE ARROW.”
15. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure when entering a freeway if the entrance lane is congested?
Answer: Slow down or stop near the entrance. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down or stop near the entrance if congested, rather than moving to the end of the lane.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 78: “Observe traffic in the entrance lane. If it is congested, slow down or stop near the entrance (see illustration). DO NOT MOVE SLOWLY TO THE END OF THE ENTRANCE LANE AND STOP.”
16. What is the recommended procedure for handling a tire blowout?
Answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly and reduce speed gradually without using brakes initially. The handbook advises gripping the steering wheel firmly and reducing speed gradually without braking initially to maintain control during a blowout.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 81: “DO NOT APPLY THE BRAKES. This may cause your vehicle to become uncontrollable. • Grip the steering wheel firmly and steer to remain in your traffic lane.”
17. Why might a bicyclist legally move into the center of the travel lane instead of staying near the right edge?
Answer: To prepare for a left turn or avoid an obstacle. The handbook lists specific valid reasons for leaving the right edge, such as preparing for a left turn or avoiding obstacles, distinguishing these from general driving preferences.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 97: “These include preparing to make a left turn, passing another bicycle or avoiding an obstacle in the edge of the road.”
18. You arrive at an intersection at the same time as another vehicle, and there are no traffic signs or signals present. What is the correct procedure?
Answer: Slow down and yield to the vehicle on the right. When arriving simultaneously at an uncontrolled intersection, the driver must yield to the vehicle on their right.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 104: “Slow down and yield to the vehicle on the right.”
19. Where must a driver stop to load or unload passengers or cargo?
Answer: In a designated parking space, loading zone, or other place out of a traffic lane. The handbook requires stops for loading or unloading to occur in designated areas outside of active traffic lanes.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 69: “Stops made to load or unload passengers or cargo or to converse with other drivers or pedestrians must be made in a designated parking space, loading zone or other place out of a traffic lane.”
20. According to the handbook, what shape are signs that indicate a required action using black and white colors?
Answer: Rectangular shaped. The handbook states that black and white signs, which indicate required actions, are always rectangular.
Hawaii driver handbook, page 43: “Black and white signs are always rectangular in shape.”