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Hawaii HDOT permit practice test 9

25 questions written from the Official Hawaii Driver's Manual, covering licensing laws and penalties, safe and defensive driving, sharing the road, signals and pavement markings, emergencies. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real Hawaii HDOT test has 30 questions and you need 24 right.

25 questions
  1. Question 1How old must you be to apply for a larger-class license (above Class 3) in Hawaii?

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    C: 21. Every license class above Class 3 requires the applicant to be at least 21, and each class or endorsement has its own tests. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Hawaii Licenses: Larger Class License, page 12.

  2. Question 2What is the basic idea of defensive driving?

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    A: Recognize possible hazards and adjust your driving to avoid them before a crash develops. Defensive driving means identifying dangerous situations and acting before a crash develops; always leave yourself a way out. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Defensive Driving, page 59.

  3. Question 3What share of Hawaii traffic fatalities are pedestrians, according to the manual?

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    A: 20%. In Hawaii 20% of all traffic fatalities are pedestrians; almost half of those killed are under 15 or over 65. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Pedestrian Safety: Summary of Facts, page 95.

  4. Question 4A yellow flashing signal means:

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    C: You may proceed only with caution. A yellow flashing signal means you may proceed only with caution. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Flashing Signals, page 41.

  5. Question 5Your power steering fails. What should you do?

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    D: Reduce speed and drive to a safe area and stop. Additional effort is required to steer; reduce speed, drive to a safe area and stop. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Power Steering Failure, page 83.

  6. Question 6What is a Hawaii 'limited purpose' driver's license?

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    D: A license for drivers who don't provide a Social Security number, valid for driving only and not for federal ID purposes. If an applicant refuses or cannot provide an SSN, a limited purpose license may be issued; it is only a license to drive, not federal ID. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Hawaii Licenses: Limited Purpose license, page 12.

  7. Question 7After the engine starts, a red warning light stays lit on the dashboard. What does it mean?

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    A: Danger; have it checked immediately. A yellow light remaining lit is a warning; a red light indicates danger and should be checked immediately. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Post-Starting, page 60.

  8. Question 8A blind person with a white cane is in the roadway. What must you do?

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    D: Stop, regardless of the signal or traffic situation. Anyone in the roadway with a white cane or a guide dog gets a full stop from you, whatever the signal shows or traffic is doing. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Your Responsibility as a Driver, page 95.

  9. Question 9A red X lane control signal over your lane means:

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    B: Do not use the lane; it's being used by opposing traffic. The red X means you must not use that lane because it's being used by traffic in the opposite direction. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Lane Control Signals, page 41.

  10. Question 10Before taking the Hawaii road test, which preliminary exams must you pass?

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    C: Rules of the road, vision, and recognition of traffic control devices. The preliminary examinations are rules of the road, vision and recognition of traffic control devices. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Obtaining a Driver's License or Instruction Permit: Preliminary Examinations, page 12.

  11. Question 11The brake warning lamp lights when you press the foot brake. What does this indicate?

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    B: The brake system is defective and the vehicle should not be driven. If the brake warning light comes on when you press the brake pedal, the brake system has a fault; don't drive the vehicle until it is fixed. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Pre-Starting / Post-Starting, page 61.

  12. Question 12A car ahead has stopped to let a pedestrian cross. What does Hawaii law say about passing it?

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    A: Never pass a vehicle stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross. Never pass a vehicle stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross; it's prohibited by law. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Your Responsibility as a Driver, page 95.

  13. Question 13A steady yellow X lane control signal means:

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    D: Move out of the lane; it will soon be used by opposite traffic. The yellow X means you must move out of that lane because it will be used by traffic in the opposite direction. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Lane Control Signals, page 42.

  14. Question 14For how long are compact foreign licenses with an International Driving Permit valid in Hawaii?

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    A: One year from arrival in the U.S.. Compact foreign licenses with an IDP are valid for one year from the date of arrival into the United States. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Persons Exempted from License, page 10.

  15. Question 15How much more likely are you to be killed if thrown from your car in a crash?

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    C: Five times. Being thrown out of the vehicle makes a crash five times more likely to kill you, which is one reason to wear a belt. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Safety Belts, page 61.

  16. Question 16May you drive through a pedestrian safety zone?

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    C: No, it's prohibited by law. Never drive through a pedestrian safety zone; it's prohibited by law. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Your Responsibility as a Driver, page 95.

  17. Question 17A flashing yellow X lane control signal means:

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    C: You may use the lane only when preparing to turn left. When the yellow X is flashing, you may use the lane only to prepare for a left turn. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Lane Control Signals, page 42.

  18. Question 18Which is a reason you cannot be licensed in Hawaii?

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    A: Having outstanding traffic citations. You cannot be licensed when you have outstanding traffic citations, among other reasons. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Who Cannot Be Licensed, page 10.

  19. Question 19Without a seat belt, at what low speed is it possible to be killed in a crash, according to the manual?

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    C: 12 mph. Without a belt, a crash at only 12 mph can be fatal; with lap and shoulder belts, crashes up to about 60 mph can be survivable. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Safety Belts, page 61.

  20. Question 20A school bus is stopped with alternating red lights flashing. Which drivers must stop?

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    C: Those in the bus's lane and all lanes adjacent to it. Drivers in the lane occupied by the bus and all adjacent lanes must stop before reaching it until it moves or the lights go off. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Stopping for a School Bus, page 96.

  21. Question 21A flashing DON'T WALK (upraised palm) signal tells pedestrians:

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    B: Don't start crossing, but those already crossing may continue to the nearest sidewalk or safety zone. Flashing DON'T WALK means pedestrians may not start to cross; those already crossing may continue. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Pedestrian Signals, page 42.

  22. Question 22How long after a conviction for drunk driving while unlicensed must you wait before you can be licensed in Hawaii?

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    C: Two years. You cannot be licensed for a period of two years after a conviction of drunk driving while unlicensed. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Who Cannot Be Licensed, page 10.

  23. Question 23How snug should the shoulder belt be?

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    D: Loose enough to fit your fist between the belt and your chest. Lap belts fit snugly across the hips; the shoulder belt should be loose enough to fit your fist between belt and chest. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Safety Belts, page 61.

  24. Question 24What can failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights cost you in Hawaii?

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    A: $1,000. Failure to comply with the school bus law (291C-95, HRS) can cost you $1,000. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Stopping for a School Bus, page 96.

  25. Question 25What might a flashing WALK signal indicate?

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    C: A possible conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. A flashing WALK or walking person signal is sometimes used to indicate a possible conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. Official Hawaii Driver's Manual: Pedestrian Signals, page 42.

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How to use these tests

Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.

Our own questions, written from the Official Hawaii Driver's Manual and checked against it. Not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Safety Office (licenses issued by the county driver licensing offices of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai). Found a mistake? Tell us.