Key points
Crashes with any injury, a death, or $3,000 or more in property damage must be reported to the police immediately.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Traffic crashes resulting in personal injury to any extent, or death, or property damage of $3,000 or more must be reported to the police immediately”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Stop immediately, move your vehicle off the traveled road if possible, and do not leave without identifying yourself and helping.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Stop immediately. If possible move your vehicle off the travelled portion of the roadway. Do not leave the scene of a crash without identifying yourself and rendering assistance.”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Do not move the injured unnecessarily, and keep them warm until skilled help arrives.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Do not move the injured unnecessarily. Unskilled handling can make serious injuries out of minor ones. Keep the injured warm until skilled help arrives.”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52If you hit an unattended vehicle, locate the owner or leave a written note with your name, address and what happened.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Upon striking an unattended vehicle, stop and locate the owner, or leave a written notice containing your name and address and circumstances of the crash.”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52After a reportable crash, report it to the police and your insurance company and file evidence of insurance (Form SR-21).
Source: Handbook p. 53
“Report the crash to the Police Department and insurance company and: File evidence of insurance (Form SR-21).”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53After certain convictions you must keep proof of financial responsibility (Form SR-22) for 3 years.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“File and maintain proof of financial responsibility for a period of three (3) years from conviction date; File evidence of insurance (Form SR-22).”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53Every owner of a car, bus or truck must have motor vehicle insurance to register or drive it.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“Every owner of a car, bus or truck must have motor vehicle insurance in order to register or operate a vehicle in the State.”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 54Breaking the insurance law can bring a fine up to $5,000, 30 days in jail, or a license suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $5,000 or thirty (30) days imprisonment, or suspension of motor vehicle operator's license,”
Hawaii Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 54
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | property damage that makes a crash reportable | Handbook p. 52 |
| SR-21 | form filed as evidence of insurance after a reportable crash | Handbook p. 53 |
| SR-22 for 3 years | proof of financial responsibility after certain convictions | Handbook p. 53 |
| $5,000 or 30 days | maximum fine or jail for violating the insurance law | Handbook p. 54 |
3 questions from the Hawaii practice test
1. After a Hawaii crash with death, injury or over $3,000 damage, what must a driver file?
- Nothing if insured
- A report to police and insurer, and evidence of insurance on Form SR-21
- Only a police report
- A bond of $10,000
Show answer
A report to police and insurer, and evidence of insurance on Form SR-21. The Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law covers all drivers in crashes resulting in death, injury or property damage in excess of $3,000, who must report the crash to the police and their insurance company and file evidence of insurance on Form SR-21. Drivers convicted of certain offenses must file and maintain proof of financial responsibility for three years on Form SR-22, or the license is suspended.
2. How long must a Hawaii driver convicted of certain vehicle offenses maintain an SR-22?
- One year
- 30 days
- Three years from the conviction date
- For life
Show answer
Three years from the conviction date. Upon conviction of certain offenses involving vehicles, a driver must file and maintain proof of financial responsibility for a period of three years from the conviction date by filing evidence of insurance on Form SR-22, and the license is suspended for non compliance. Crashes with death, injury or over $3,000 damage require the separate SR-21 filing, and both forms are submitted by the insurance company.
3. For Hawaii auto policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, what minimum liability limits apply?
- $25,000, $50,000 and $25,000
- $40,000 per person, $80,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 property damage, plus $10,000 PIP
- $100,000 combined
- $5,000 per person
Show answer
$40,000 per person, $80,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 property damage, plus $10,000 PIP. For new and renewed Hawaii policies effective on or after January 1, 2026, minimum liability limits are $40,000 per person and $80,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage. Personal injury protection remains at least $10,000. Liability coverage pays for harm to others; coverage for damage to your own vehicle is separate. Keep the per-person, per-accident, and property-damage categories separate when checking the policy, because the limits apply to different kinds of loss.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Hawaii practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter VII: Crash Procedures. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.