Points, tickets and licence suspension in Hawaii

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the difference between a traffic infraction and a traffic crime.
• You can describe your options when you receive a ticket.
• You can list offenses that lead to suspension or revocation.
• You can state the extra penalties that apply to provisional drivers.
• You can explain how a court can respond to repeated violations.

What you need to know and understand

• Traffic infractions are less serious and handled as civil matters, with fines and holds on your license or registration if ignored.
• Traffic crimes are serious, can carry jail, and require you to appear in court.
• For an infraction you can usually pay, send a written statement, or appear in person.
• A judge can order a driver with frequent violations in 12 months to a record review and a driver retraining course.
• A provisional driver's first license-rule violation means a three-month suspension; a second means a six-month revocation.
• Traffic convictions from other states can be recorded against you as if they happened in Hawaii.
• Hawaii checks the National Driver Register and will not issue a license if it shows a suspension or revocation elsewhere.

Two kinds of ticket

Most moving tickets, such as ordinary speeding or using a phone while driving, are traffic infractions. You can pay the fine, contest it in writing, or go to court. If you ignore it, the courts can place a stopper that blocks your license or vehicle registration renewal.

Traffic crimes include driving under the influence, excessive speeding and leaving the scene of a crash. These carry possible jail, so you must appear in court. Call the number on the citation or the district court on your island if you are unsure which type you have.

Offenses that can cost you your license

• Driving under the influence or refusing an alcohol test: administrative revocation starting at one year for a first case.
• Under 21 with a measurable amount of alcohol: 180-day suspension for a first violation.
• Excessive speeding: a 30-day suspension for a first offense.
• Failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks: a 90-day revocation for a second offense within a year.
• Driving without required insurance: possible license suspension.
• Failing to file required proof of insurance after certain crashes or convictions: license suspension.

Extra rules for teens

If you hold a provisional license and break its passenger, night, belt or carry-your-license rules, a judge suspends it for three months the first time and revokes it for six months the next. A conviction for other driving offenses also leads to suspension or revocation, and a second one means a one-year revocation. While any violation is pending, you cannot be issued a provisional or full license.

Repeat offenders

If a district judge finds you have broken traffic laws so often within 12 months that you show disregard for others' safety, you must attend a review of your driving record. The judge can order a driver retraining course. Skipping the review or the course can bring a fine of up to $100, a suspension of up to one year, or both.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring a ticket. Unpaid infractions can block your license and registration renewal.
• Thinking a ticket in another state will not follow you. It can be recorded in Hawaii.
• Driving on a suspended or revoked license. It adds new, more serious charges.
• Booking a road test with an open ticket. Clear outstanding violations first.

Test yourself: Points, tickets and licence suspension 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