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How to drive safely on a motorcycle in Hawaii
Extra safety precautions
Conclusion
 

How to drive safely on a motorcycle in Hawaii

Riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car puts you at increased risk of injury due to fewer safety contingencies such as airbags, doors and a roof. However, you can really mitigate these risks by driving safely at all times. This will include preparing to ride properly as well as operating the motorcycle safely as you ride.

When you are out riding, never drive too fast and always obey the speed limit, especially around curves. Always use your signals when changing lanes and turning as well as giving a quick look behind you before you do. A huge part of safety while riding your motorcycle will be making sure that other motorists can always see you. You can do this by avoiding driving in car’s blind spots and/or driving too closely to them, always keeping your headlights on and always signaling.

You must also keep a close focus on the road at all times and watch out for hazards such as large branches or roadkill. If you ride over a road hazard, it can easily cause you to crash unlike in a car where you might not even feel it. Finally, never even consider driving aggressively at all on a bike. This includes the obvious like speeding, but it also includes driving in between lanes and cars to get ahead of them which is extremely dangerous as well as illegal.
 

Extra safety precautions

Being safe while you ride your motorcycle in Hawaii will begin with the correct preparation. This means that you should be as well-versed in motorcycle safety as possible which should include you taking a motorcycle safety course in addition to whatever you learned in the process of getting your license. Be sure that you do a quick inspection of your bike prior to each ride including checking the tires, brakes and handlebars. You also should always check the weather forecast and if there is rain in the forecast, skip that day’s ride. Also, always wear the proper safety gear which will include a helmet as well as goggles and boots. Finally, you should really consider carrying a first aid kit with you on your bike in case of a minor mishap or accident where you will be able to tend to your own very minor injuries.
 

Conclusion

Before you get out on the road on your motorcycle in Hawaii and enjoy the fresh air, gorgeous weather and beautiful views, you must do everything possible to keep yourself as safe as you can. Doing this includes preparing yourself and your bike for safety as well as driving cautiously and correctly. Never ride in the rain, always inspect your motorcycle before you ride, wear a helmet at all times, always make yourself visible, never speed and constantly be on the lookout for road hazards.

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The speeds that you should drive in each lane of traffic
On-ramp and off-ramp speeds
 

The speeds that you should drive in each lane of traffic

The leftmost lane on a multi-lane highway is generally used for passing and driving at high speeds, while the right lanes are intended for slower traffic, merging, and exiting. In Hawaii, this is no different. It is critical to maintain a speed that is consistent with the traffic flow of the lane you are in. If you drive too slowly in the left lane, you may cause a slowdown and create a traffic jam and/or a dangerous situation for other drivers who are trying to pass you. However, if you drive too fast in the right lane, you may endanger other drivers who are entering or exiting the highway or may not have enough time to react to an instantaneous change in overall traffic speed.

When driving in the furthest left lane, you should drive at a speed that is higher than the traffic flow in the other lanes. When driving in the rightmost lane, you should lower your speed to accommodate slower-moving traffic or to get ready for an exit leading to a road with much slower moving traffic.

It is also vital to remember that weather, road conditions, and the amount of traffic can affect the appropriate speed for any lane. For example, during inclement weather such as when it is raining, all drivers may need to reduce speed in all lanes to ensure safe driving.
 

On-ramp and off-ramp speeds

The speed at which you accelerate to on on-ramps and decelerate to on off-ramps is extremely important for safe driving and not impeding traffic. When joining traffic on a highway from an on-ramp, it is critical to increase your speed to match the traffic already on that highway. Typically, the posted speed limit on an on-ramp is lower than that of the highway, so you will need to accelerate and merge into the flow of traffic. Always use your signals, check your blind spots, and be aware of other drivers around you when merging onto the highway. Driving too slowly or too quickly can cause delays or create dangerous situations.

When leaving the highway on an off-ramp, you must start slowing down and reducing your speed as soon as you get close to the off-ramp. Do not wait until you are on the off-ramp to do this. You should lower your speed to the posted limit on the off-ramp and be ready to come to a complete stop at any stop signs or traffic lights at the end of the ramp. Always remember to use your signals and be aware of other drivers around you when exiting the highway. Not slowing down enough can result in loss of control or a collision with other vehicles.

Jump to section:
The cost of renting a car in Hawaii
Restrictions on driving a rental car in Hawaii
Other Hawaiian driving options
Final word
 

The cost of renting a car in Hawaii

If you travel to Hawaii for a few days or a couple of weeks, renting a car probably will not break the bank. However, if you stay there much longer than that, the price of renting a car will quickly show its downside as it will get quite costly.

Generally, it will cost you about $25 per day to rent a car in Hawaii. After two weeks that is $350. So, it will run you $700 per month to rent a car in Hawaii. That price does not even include gas which is typically more expensive in Hawaii than anywhere else in the United States.

This price also does not factor in the price of rental insurance either. That can cost an additional $10 to $20 per day. So, that could bring your potential $700 per month rental cost to $900 per month. If you skip the insurance, you risk quite a hefty bill if you happen to damage the car. This will be hundreds or even thousands of dollars in addition to the regular rental cost.
 

Restrictions on driving a rental car in Hawaii

On top of being expensive, renting a car in Hawaii comes with restrictions. The most infamous of these restrictions in Hawaii is that you can not take the vast majority of the rental vehicles off-roading. This will considerably limit where you can take the car.

If you do so and you end up damaging the car in anyway, you will be responsible for one hundred percent of the cost of the damage, even if you purchased the rental insurance.
 

Other Hawaiian driving options

If you have decided that you do not want to deal with the headache of renting a car in Hawaii, you do have a few other options.

• Shipping – You can always ship your current car to Hawaii. On average, if you were to ship your car to Hawaii from Los Angeles it will cost about $1,750. So, you can have your very own car in Hawaii with no driving restrictions.
• Selling/Buying – You can also sell your current car and then buy a new one when you get to Hawaii. However, this will require a lot more work than any of the other options and it will likely be the costliest options in terms of value.
• Ride-share apps – Much like renting a car, you can use ride-share apps as a temporary or stop-gap option. It will likely be cheaper than renting a car because you only get charged when you use a ride-share app, not per-day. Uber and Lyft are available for use in Hawaii.

Final word

Renting a car in Hawaii is a fine option if you are only doing it for a short period. Otherwise it can get very expensive, plus, you will have several restrictions on where and how you can drive. Your other options are to ship your current car, sell your current car and buy a new one, as well as use ride share apps.

Jump to section:
Driving behind a large truck
Driving alongside a large truck
 

Driving behind a large truck

Driving near a large truck in Hawaii can be intimidating but it can also be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. If a worst-case scenario occurs and you get into an accident with a large truck out on the highway, it can easily result in serious injury or even death. So, you will want to take extreme caution and drive as safely as possible around any large trucks. Here are some tips for driving safely behind a large truck:

• Keep a safe distance – Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. The general rule is to stay at least two full car lengths behind the truck. This will allow you enough time to react if the truck suddenly stops or slows down significantly.
• Avoid blind spots – Large trucks have blind spots on both sides and behind them. Try to stay out of these areas and be aware of where the truck driver may not be able to see you. If you can’t see the truck driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you.
• Do not tailgate – Do not tailgate the truck in front of you. This is dangerous and can cause a serious accident if the truck suddenly stops or slows down. Keep a safe distance and be patient.
• Pass with caution – If you need to pass the truck, do it with caution. Make sure that you signal before you pass and that you have plenty of room to do so. Don’t pass on the right side of the truck because this is the truck driver’s blind spot.
• Be alert – Pay attention to what’s happening around you, especially to what the large truck near you is doing. Watch for turn signals, brake lights, and other signs that the truck driver may be preparing to slow down, change lanes or turn.

Driving alongside a large truck

Driving safely alongside a large truck will mean you need to drive more defensively. Use the following advice to help you drive safely alongside a large truck:

• Give large trucks space – Large trucks are much heavier and longer than cars. This means that they take longer to stop and have wider turning radiuses. Keep this in mind when driving alongside a truck and give them plenty of space.
• Never drive in the truck’s blind spots – Large trucks have blind spots on both sides and behind them. These are areas where the truck driver cannot see other vehicles. Avoid driving in these blind spots and stay visible at all times to the truck’s driver.
• Pass the truck safely – If you need to pass the truck, do it safely. Use your turn signals and make sure you have plenty of room to pass. Pass quickly but don’t speed. Never pass the truck on the right side, as this is the truck driver’s blind spot.
• Stay focused – When driving alongside a large truck, stay focused on the road ahead. Avoid distractions like cell phones and personal conversations.
• Keep a safe distance – Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. This gives you enough time to react if the truck suddenly stops or slows down.
• Be patient – Large trucks are slower and harder to maneuver than cars. Do not get overzealous and try to pass a large truck in an unsafe manner or in an unsafe location.

Jump to section:
Maintaining your lane and your speed
Maximizing visibility and staying visible
Conclusion
 

Maintaining your lane and your speed

In Hawaii, you will need to deal with some blind curves if you ever end up driving near the mountainous portions of any of the island. Typically, if you do something potentially dangerous when driving like failing to maintain your lane, oncoming drivers will easily be able to see this and can easily avoid a collision because they will have ample driving time. When you are driving around a blind curve, the opposite is the case. Oncoming drivers will not be able to see you at all and will have very little to no reaction time as a result.

This is why it is so important, not only to maintain your lane but also to reduce your speed as much as possible when you both approach and drive around a blind curve. Maintaining your lane will go a long way to preventing any possibility of a collision while reducing your speed will maximize both your reaction time as well as the reaction time of any oncoming drivers. Reducing your speed will also prevent you from any loss of control over the car as you drive around the curve, which could be disastrous.
 

Maximizing visibility and staying visible

In addition to maximizing your reaction time, you should maximize both your visibility as well as your ability to be seen. This is still important during the day but is even more important at night when navigating a blind curve. You should always turn your headlights on when approaching a blind curve but never your high beams. Your headlights will make you instantly more noticeable without impacting any oncoming driver’s ability to see, while high beams could potentially blind an oncoming driver.

You should also ensure that your windshield is not too fogged up. If it is too foggy during your approach to a blind curve, put your defoggers on and pull over if possible until the windshield has been successfully defogged. If you are approaching a blind curve and a bright sun is obstructing your view at least partially, use your sun visor to block some or all of it. Finally, if it is raining, make sure that your wiper blades are turned on and at the correct speed relative to how hard it is raining.
 

Conclusion

Driving around a blind curve in Hawaii can be a dangerous proposition. This is because, at least for a moment, you will not know whether there is oncoming car, motorcycle or truck around the corner barreling towards you at potentially high and unsafe speeds. In order to protect yourself as well as any oncoming drivers, be sure to reduce your speed as much as possible, maintain your lane, have your headlights on and do whatever else you can to increase your ability to see when you are driving around a blind curve. If you have any questions about shipping a car or any other type of vehicle to Hawaii, feel free to give us a call anytime at (808) 445-6695.

Jump to section:
Defensive driving basics
Direct benefits from defensive driving
Conclusion
 

Defensive driving basics

Defensive driving is a course that you can take to improve your driving skills that are related to safety. What you learn from taking a defensive driving course will not just make the way that you drive safer, it will allow you to avoid potentially unsafe situations rather than just reacting to them. Specifically, defensive driving teaches those who take the course the high value of using seat belts, keeping a safe distance in front of you when driving, avoiding all distractions, always checking your blind spots, correctly using your mirrors, and navigating intersections with caution.

In 2023 and beyond in Hawaii, you will be able to take a defensive driving course in-person or online. Which way you decide to take a defensive driving course will be completely up to you. The online course is good if you want to take the course for a few minutes or a few sections at a time from the comfort of your home. However, the online course has been considered more detailed and difficult by some people and it often takes longer than an in-person class overall. The in-person course is good if you just want to get it all out of the way in one four hour sitting and/or prefer a classroom setting over sitting in front of a computer. Both courses count exactly the same in terms of both direct and indirect benefits.
 

Direct benefits from defensive driving

In addition to the peace of mind that you are driving much more safely and at considerably lower risk of getting into an accident, there are several other great direct benefits that you will get from taking a defensive driving course in Hawaii. Many people take the course because it will lower their car insurance premium payments by about 10% every year for three years after completing the course. This means if you pay an average of $1,200 per year in Hawaii for full coverage auto insurance, you will save $360 over three years! Subtract the price of the course, which is around $35 and that’s still a very substantial amount of money saved at $325.

In addition to potentially saving on your car insurance payments, defensive driving can also help you get a ticket dismissed or meet a requirement decreed by a court in Hawaii. For example, if you were driving very recklessly or have a history of reckless driving, as part of the punishment a Judge can require that you take a defensive driving course. In some cases, taking a defensive driving course can even get a ticket dismissed. Either way, you must have authorization from a Judge/court referral before taking a defensive driving course in order for it to give you either of the above benefits.

Other benefits from taking defensive driving in Hawaii can include lower auto repair and maintenance costs. This is because as a defensive driver you will not get into many or likely any accidents plus you will put less wear and tear on your car overall because you will be driving slower and less aggressively. Finally, if you drive for a living, such as a truck driver or Uber driver, defensive driving can be a requirement. If you have already passed within the previous three years, you will be able to start working sooner without having to take the course again.
 

Conclusion

Taking a defensive driving course in Hawaii has multiple benefits ranging from being much safer when you are out on the road to saving hundreds of dollars on your car insurance. Those that take a defensive driving course will learn not only how to drive more safely themselves, but they will learn how to anticipate and avoid dangerous situations altogether. Taking a defensive driving course is quite easy and can be done in a one-off in-person four hour course or in an online course at your leisure.

Jump to section:
Motorcycle and moped licenses
Other types of licenses
Conclusion
 

Motorcycle and moped licenses

The first two classes of licenses that you can get in Hawaii are for mopeds and motorcycles. Mopeds are covered under a Class 1 license in Hawaii while motorcycles are covered under a Class 2 license. Both licenses cover two or three wheeled vehicles. The big difference between the two classes of licenses is that the Class 1 license specifies maximum horsepower and speed. This is why a motorcycle license is a completely different class of license in Hawaii.

Specifically, a Class 1 license (or moped license) allows for a maximum horsepower of two and a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour. Moped licenses also specify that the vehicle must have a max capacity of one rider whereas motorcycle licenses or Class 2 licenses in Hawaii do not.
 

Other types of licenses

Other types of licenses in Hawaii will include any license required for driving a vehicle that is not a moped or motorcycle. This will also include commercial driver’s licenses which are required in order to be able to legally operate any commercial vehicles such as box trucks, semi-trucks, cargo vans, busses and more.

The following are the other types of licenses required to operate specific vehicles in Hawaii:

• Class 3 – This type of license is a regular driver’s license required or driving a standard passenger car. These licenses specify that the vehicle must be less than eighteen thousand pounds and that they can hold no more than 15 passengers.
• Class 4 – These licenses are for vehicles that weigh up to 26 thousand pounds. They almost exclusively cover RVs or RV-type trailers such as fifth wheelers.
• Class A CDL – If the vehicle you plan on driving exceeds 26 thousand pounds and the towed portion of the vehicle weighs 10 thousand pounds or more, then you will need a Class A Commercial Driver’s License. The vehicles that are typically within the weight and specification range for this license are flatbed trucks, 18-wheelers, tankers and more.
• Class B CDL – This license will permit you to operate a vehicle over 26 thousand pounds where the towed portion of the vehicle is less than 10 thousand pounds. Vehicles that you need this license to operate include large busses (such as segmented busses or double-deckers) and straight trucks. This license also allows you to operate a Class C CDL vehicle but not any Class A CDL vehicles.
• Class C CDL – A Class C CDL will allow someone to operate a vehicle that can transport 16 or more occupants or a vehicle that is transporting hazardous materials (with the right endorsement).
• Instruction Permit – An instruction permit will simply allow an unlicensed driver to practice driving safely under several specific conditions. These conditions are that the driver must be at least fifteen and a half years old, the driver must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver 21 years old or older, a parent/guardian must be present if the permit holder is driving between 11PM and 5AM, and they cannot have more than one other individual in the car with them under the age of 18.

Conclusion

Getting your driver’s license in Hawaii is obviously required by law prior to operating any type of vehicle on a public roadway. However, each different type of license that you can get will only cover specific types of vehicles. For example, Class 1 and 2 licenses in Hawaii only allow the operation of mopeds and motorcycles respectively. For much larger vehicles like Busses and 18-wheelers, you will be required to have a commercial driver’s license.

Jump to section:
What you can do to your windshield to avoid sun glare
How to react to sun glare when driving
Conclusion
 

What you can do to your windshield to avoid sun glare

Sun glare can be extremely dangerous when you are driving. Sun glare causes between 8,000 and 10,000 car accidents per year according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Association. Being proactive is always a better approach to an issue than just reacting to it. That is why you should do everything you can to make sure any potential sun glare gets minimized before you even start driving on any bright sunny days in Hawaii of which there are a ton.

You can start minimizing any possible sun glare on your windshield by first ensuring that it is completely clean both on the outside and on the inside. A dirty windshield can worsen sun glare by scattering the powerful rays of light hitting it which makes seeing even more difficult. You can also make sure that you have the right type of sunglasses handy in case sun glare ever gets too extreme when you are driving.

Planning will also go a long way to reducing the impact sun glare can have on you as you drive in Hawaii. If possible, change your plans so that you will not have to drive in the direction of the sun when it has just risen or is in the middle or end of setting. Do not drive east while it is rising and do not drive west while it is setting. Finally, you can really get ahead of sun glare by tinting your windshield as much as you legally can. In Hawaii, windshield tints are permitted to be on the top four inches of the windshield and must be non-reflective.
 

How to react to sun glare when driving

If you forget to do any of the above in terms of avoiding sun glare when driving and must fight through it while you drive, you can still make things much easier on yourself in several ways. First, pull down your sun visor and ensure that it is properly angled to block as much glare as possible. You can also start driving much more defensively meaning you should get over to the right-most lane of traffic, slow down, and put more distance between yourself and the car in front of you. Another tip to drive through heavy periods of sun glare will be to focus more on the road markings on the road directly in front of you rather than the horizon ahead.
 

Conclusion

Sun glare is something that needs to be taken extremely seriously when you are driving in Hawaii. Hawaii has mostly bright and sunny weather, which means sun glare can consistently be an issue here. Each year, sun glare causes thousands of car accidents. In order to prevent or at least minimize sun glare’s impact, you should always keep your car’s windshield clean (inside and out), try to avoid driving while the sun rises or sets, always have sunglasses handy and you should consider getting the top part of your windshield tinted as well.

Jump to section:
The importance of your suspension
Protecting your suspension
Conclusion
 

The importance of your suspension

Your car’s suspension protects other components of your car as well as yourself and your passengers by maximizing overall stability as you drive over bumps or a rough road. This means that your car’s suspension is what makes your ride smooth. The suspension system in a vehicle is made up of tires, the air pressure in the tires, springs, shock absorbers, struts, joints and more.

As we said, the suspension in your car will make any drive much more comfortable for you and your passengers and it will prevent unnecessary damage to your car due to jolts caused by bumps in the road. However, it will also allow the driver of the car to have much better handling and overall control over the car. That is a huge benefit for overall safety because a loss of control, even if momentary, could equal disaster when driving.
 

Protecting your suspension

You will want to protect your car’s suspension as best you can because the cost of replacing or even repairing a suspension can be quite high. If you need your car’s suspension repaired it can cost between $750 and $2,000 . If you need to replace your car’s entire suspension system, it will likely cost somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 .

In order to take care of your car’s suspension system so that it lasts the longest and needs the fewest repairs you must:

• Get your tires aligned because if they are misaligned, they will cause more stress for your suspension system which could cause damage.
• Keep your tires properly inflated because if they are underinflated the ability to steer and handle the car will decrease which means your suspension will need to work harder and will wear out more quickly.
• Check the wear on your tires because the treads on your tires are what give your car traction and with less traction your suspension can be more easily damaged.
• Get your car inspected at least once a year because you will need to replace or repair any components of your vehicle’s suspension system that are worn or not functioning correctly.

Conclusion

Your car’s suspension system is very important because it allows for a smooth and safe ride, it will protect the other parts of the car and it allows for better handling. You can keep your suspension in good working order by getting your car inspected regularly, making sure that your tires are inflated with the correct pressure, replacing your tires if the treads have worn too much and getting your tires aligned. Whenever you need a car shipped to or from any of the islands of Hawaii, do not hesitate to call our Hawaiian car shipping experts at (808) 445-6695!

Jump to section:
The right of the way
Safety
Conclusion
 

The right of the way

There are many intersections throughout the islands of Hawaii that allow traffic to flow in four different directions. Fortunately, many of these intersections have traffic lights, so beyond slowing down at a yellow light and stopping at a red light, there really will not be much else for you to remember. However, four-way intersections in Hawaii get a lot more complicated when the traffic lights are not working or when there are stop signs instead of a traffic light.

In either of these situations, “the right of way” can play a very big role in everyone’s ability to safely travel through the intersection in an efficient manner. When you see that a traffic light is either off completely or just the yellow lights are blinking, you should treat this as if it were a four-way intersection with only stop signs.

That means all you need to know will be how to navigate a four-way intersection with stop signs in all directions using “the right of way.” This method basically stipulates that all drivers arriving at an intersection should continue forward only in the order in which they arrived at that intersection. However, in Hawaii, “the right of way” is a bit different than it is in other states.

The “right of way” in Hawaii stipulates the following when at a four-way intersection:

• If there are stop signs in only two directions, the directions without stop signs always have the right of way because they are not required to stop at all.
• If there are stop signs in all four directions, the drivers should only continue forward in the order that they arrived at the intersection. For example, if cars A, B, C, and D arrive in the following order (with the vehicle listed first having arrived at the intersection first), B-C-A-D, then car B gets to continue forward through the intersection first, car C has the right to go second and so on.
• If you happen to be in the rare circumstance where you and another car arrive at an intersection at the same exact time and are traveling in perpendicular directions, there is a simple solution. Hawaiian law stipulates that the driver to the left always yield the right of way to the driver on the right.

Safety

Safety will also be crucial when you travel through any four-way intersections, especially when it is an intersection where not all sides have stop signs. There are different safety measures to be taken at each different type of four-way intersection.

• Four-way intersections with traffic lights – These always tend to be the safest intersections. That is because right of way is always determined by the traffic lights rather than the combined will of everyone at the intersection. However, you still need to take basic precautions such as checking quickly in both directions prior to traveling through the intersection, maintaining a safe speed (even if that means “missing” the light), and watching for cars in the opposite lane of traffic that are making left-hand turns.
• Four-way intersections with stop signs in all directions – When you have stop signs in all four directions, it is safer than if there were just stop signs in two directions, but things can become unsafe quickly if just one driver chooses to ignore the right of way. When you arrive at a stop sign at one of these intersections, it is imperative that you:
  
  1. Make a complete stop at the stop sign which means the wheels of your car must stop turning completely and you must remain stopped long enough for you to check in all directions. Be sure that you remain stopped for at least three full seconds.
  2. Check in all directions to see if there are other drivers at the intersection. If there are and they arrived before you did or at the exact same time and are to your right, wait until they have continued forward and have cleared the intersection completely. You also must check to see if there are nearby pedestrians that are about to cross in front of your vehicle. Always allow pedestrians to proceed before you do.
  3. When you finally start to proceed through the intersection, stay focused and if another driver starts driving through the intersection before it was their turn, do not try to beat them through the intersection. Just let them go and continue on your way.
• Four-way intersections with stop signs in only two directions – These are the most dangerous four-way intersections by a long shot. This is because drivers in two directions of the four will not even have to slow down at all when proceeding through the intersection. This means when you arrive at a stop sign at a four-way intersection and that stop sign does not indicate that there are stop signs in all directions with the words “All Ways”, you must exercise the highest level of caution possible. You should make your complete stop at the stop sign and check in both directions as you normally do. If there are cars coming from the directions perpendicular without stop signs, be sure that they are far enough away for you to continue through the intersection prior to doing so.

Conclusion

Four-way intersections can be both aggressive and dangerous, especially in busy areas like Honolulu. However, exercising the most complete and utmost caution will end up yielding the best results. Not only can driving haphazardly or aggressively through a four-way intersection cause an accident but it can lead to road rage. All four-way intersections require extreme caution when you are travelling through them but some are more dangerous than others. Always check in both directions before proceeding, give the right of way to drivers that arrived at the intersection before you did, and always make complete stops when required by traffic lights or stop signs.