Right of way, turns and intersections in Hawaii

By the end of this topic you can

• You can decide who goes first when two cars reach an uncontrolled intersection together.
• You can make a right turn, or a permitted left turn, on a red light safely and legally.
• You can wait for and complete a left turn at a green light.
• You can enter, drive through and exit a roundabout correctly.
• You can yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and when entering from a driveway.

What you need to know and understand

• When two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
• When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard.
• When a light turns green, yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection.
• After a full stop at a red light, you may turn right unless a sign forbids it, yielding to all traffic and pedestrians.
• You may also turn left on red, after stopping, from a one-way street onto a one-way street going left, unless a sign forbids it.
• In a roundabout, entering traffic yields to traffic already circling, and you travel counterclockwise.
• You must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk on your half of the road or close to it.

The core yielding rules

• Same arrival at an uncontrolled intersection: the vehicle on the right goes first.
• Stop sign or yield sign: traffic on the through road has the right of way.
• Entering a road from an alley, driveway or private road: stop, and yield to all traffic and pedestrians. Stop before crossing the sidewalk area.
• Funeral processions: they have the right of way at intersections. Do not drive between their vehicles.
• Emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing lights: clear a path and stop.

Turning on red and turning left

Always come to a complete stop before turning right on a red light, even when the road looks empty. Check for people crossing and traffic from the left. If a sign says no turn on red, wait for green.

To turn left at a signal, move slowly into the intersection when the light is green and keep your wheels pointing straight ahead while you wait. If you are hit from behind, straight wheels stop you being pushed into oncoming traffic. Turn only when the oncoming lane is clear. Never change lanes in an intersection or crosswalk.

Using a roundabout

1. Slow down as you approach and watch the yield sign and yield line.
2. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the entry.
3. Look left and yield to traffic, including bicycles, already in the roundabout.
4. Enter and keep to the right of the central island, traveling counterclockwise at low speed.
5. Signal right as you approach your exit and watch for people crossing.
6. If you miss your exit, go around again rather than stopping or reversing.

Pedestrians come first in crosswalks

Hawaii law requires you to stop for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk on your half of the road, or approaching closely from the other half. Wait until they have passed and it is safe. If another vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk, you must not overtake it. A first offense brings a $150 fine, and repeat offenses can lead to license revocation.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a red-light right turn. Stop completely first.
• Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn. Keep them straight until you go.
• Entering a roundabout without looking left. Traffic already circling has priority.
• Passing a car that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian may be hidden in front of it.

Test yourself: Right of way, turns and intersections in Hawaii

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Driving in Hawaii on an Out-of-State or Foreign License
• Hawaii Driver’s Ed Requirement for Under 18s
• Hawaii Permit Practice Test