A red signal faces you. There is no stop line, but there is a crosswalk before the intersection. Where should you stop?
Correct answer: Before entering the crosswalk.
With no stop line, stop before the crosswalk. If neither exists, stop before entering the intersection.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 39 — Traffic Signals — Red Light ↗
No sign prohibits turning right on red. After a full stop, pedestrians are crossing your intended path. What must you do?
Correct answer: Wait and yield to the pedestrians before turning when safe.
The right-turn-on-red permission requires a full stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic. It never authorizes cutting through a crossing person's path.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 39 — Traffic Signals — right turn on red ↗
You are on a one-way street and want to turn left into a one-way street carrying traffic to your left. No sign prohibits the turn. What may you do at red?
Correct answer: Stop fully, yield and turn left when safe.
The handbook allows this specific one-way-to-one-way left turn after stopping, unless prohibited. Yield and confirm the way is clear.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 39 — Traffic Signals — one-way left turn on red ↗
The signal turns yellow while you still have room to stop smoothly before the intersection. What is the proper response?
Correct answer: Stop before entering.
Yellow warns that red follows immediately. Avoid entering when you can stop safely; do not enter after the red appears.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 39 — Traffic Signals — Yellow Light ↗
A green turn arrow appears, but a pedestrian is still lawfully in your turning path. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield, then make the movement permitted by the arrow when safe.
A green arrow allows the indicated movement but still requires yielding to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
Source: Current Hawaii Revised Statutes — §291C-32(a)(1)(B) ↗
A circular traffic signal is flashing red. How should you proceed?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed only after yielding as required and checking that it is safe.
Flashing red has the meaning of a stop sign. A complete stop and a safe, properly yielded entry are required.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 41 — Flashing Signals — red ↗
A normally functioning warning signal flashes yellow. What does it mean?
Correct answer: Proceed with caution after checking for hazards.
Flashing yellow warns of danger and requires caution. It is not a green light or a guarantee that the road is clear.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 41 — Flashing Signals — yellow ↗
An overhead signal displays a red X above a lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Do not use that lane.
The red X closes that lane to you. Do not enter based on an apparently empty road.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 41 — Lane Control Signals — Red X ↗
The overhead signal for your reversible lane changes to a steady yellow X. What should you do?
Correct answer: Move out of the lane safely because its direction is about to change.
A steady yellow X warns you to leave the lane before it is used in the opposite direction. Check and signal before moving.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 42 — Lane Control Signals — Yellow X ↗
A pedestrian started legally on WALK and is still crossing when the upraised hand begins flashing. What should a turning driver do?
Correct answer: Allow the pedestrian to finish safely.
The flashing hand prevents pedestrians from starting but allows those already crossing to continue to the nearest safe area. Keep their path clear.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 42 — Pedestrian Signals ↗
After a storm, all lights at a signalized intersection are dark and no officer is directing traffic. What does HDOT advise?
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
HDOT's statewide storm guidance directs drivers to treat a dark signal as a four-way stop. Stop, check every approach and proceed only when it is safe.
Source: HDOT, Tropical Storm Lala recovery statewide, August 18, 2026 — Highways, dark-signal instruction ↗
An overhead lane-control signal displays a flashing yellow X. What use does the handbook allow for that lane?
Correct answer: Preparing to turn left.
The handbook distinguishes a flashing yellow X, allowing preparation for a left turn, from a steady yellow X, which directs traffic to leave the lane.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, HMG 5/2023, current HDOT-linked PDF; printed/PDF p. 42 — Lane Control Signals — flashing Yellow X ↗
