HI Permit Practice Test 24

All 20 questions in test 24

Every question below comes from the Hawaii question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. A pedestrian is walking in your lane on a Hawaii road. What does the manual say you may need to do?

   1. Pass without changing your speed
   2. Stop and wait for an officer
   3. Sound your horn to give warning
   4. Flash your high beams and continue
   Show answer

   Sound your horn to give warning. The manual tells drivers to sound the horn as necessary to warn a pedestrian on the roadway, and it notes that this warning is required by law. A pedestrian facing away from you may not hear a car, so a short tap gives them a chance to move. Passing at speed or flashing lights assumes they will see you in time. Slow down as well, because a warning does not create space. Use the horn only when needed and never as a substitute for braking.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrian safety

2. 2. What does the manual say a replacement muffler must not do?

   1. Extend past the rear bumper into traffic lanes
   2. Route the exhaust gases toward the passenger side
   3. Block the view of the rear license plate
   4. Allow more noise than the original equipment manufacturer muffler
   Show answer

   Allow more noise than the original equipment manufacturer muffler. The exhaust system carries gases to an exit point that reduces fumes entering the passenger compartment and reduces noise, and the manual says replacement mufflers must not allow more noise than the original equipment manufacturer muffler. A louder-than-stock muffler fails that standard, and defective exhaust parts should be replaced immediately to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the cabin. Bumper overhang, passenger-side routing and plate blockage are not the test the manual applies. Keep the exhaust quiet, sealed and stock-equivalent.

3. 3. Official signs mark a Hawaii tow-away zone for the hours posted on them. What happens to a car parked there?

   1. It is booted until the owner pays a fee
   2. It is ticketed but left where it stands
   3. It is impounded by a private towing firm
   4. The police will have it towed away
   Show answer

   The police will have it towed away. The manual says you must not park or stop, even momentarily, at any place during the hours stated on official signs indicating a tow-away regulation, and the police will have your vehicle towed away. If your vehicle is towed, contact the police for recovery information. Boots, ticket-only outcomes and private impound lots are not what the manual describes, and a few minutes of stopping does not protect you, because even a momentary stop counts. Check for tow-away signs before you leave the car, especially in busy districts.

   Study this in the handbook: Backing, entering traffic, lanes and parking

4. 4. On a two-lane Hawaii road, when may you begin passing the vehicle ahead?

   1. Only when it is moving below the safe speed
   2. Whenever the pavement marking allows it
   3. As soon as the car ahead drifts right
   4. When the car ahead waves you past
   Show answer

   Only when it is moving below the safe speed. The manual's passing procedure starts with the vehicle ahead moving below the safe speed; passing exists for slower traffic, not for position. A broken center line shows where a pass may be attempted, but markings alone do not create the need or the space. A drift to the right may signal a hazard rather than an invitation, and a wave from another driver is not clearance the manual recognizes. Confirm the speed difference, the sight distance and the gap before you pull out.

   Study this in the handbook: Following distance, turns and freeways

5. 5. How does the manual compare left turns and U turns with right turns?

   1. They are faster in light traffic
   2. They are required to keep intersections moving
   3. They are shorter and therefore safer
   4. They conflict more with traffic and are more hazardous
   Show answer

   They conflict more with traffic and are more hazardous. The manual says to avoid left and U turns whenever possible because they conflict more with other traffic, are much more hazardous than right turns and also impede other traffic. Crossing or reversing against the flow exposes you to oncoming vehicles, while a right turn joins the flow with the shortest path. Speed, intersection throughput and path length do not make the left movements safer. Plan routes that use right turns where practical, and take extra care when a left or U turn is unavoidable.

   Study this in the handbook: Following distance, turns and freeways

6. 6. What can happen if a driver brakes inside a turn or curve?

   1. The driver can lose control of the vehicle
   2. The turn will always become smoother
   3. The tires will gain grip in the curve
   4. The vehicle will stay centered without steering
   Show answer

   The driver can lose control of the vehicle. Hawaii advises drivers to slow to a proper speed before entering a turn or curve and maintain a steady speed while in it. Braking or making an abrupt speed change after the turn has begun can cause the driver to lose control. Calling the turn smoother treats the warned-about action as a benefit, while claiming that braking creates grip gives it an unsupported effect. Promising the vehicle will stay centered without steering also gives braking a result the manual does not give. The hazard is the vehicle's loss of control when braking disturbs a turn already in progress.

   Study this in the handbook: Following distance, turns and freeways

7. 7. You need to cross the street on foot. How does the manual tell you to cross?

   1. Run across if traffic is far away
   2. Run alongside traffic until a gap appears
   3. Walk, and never run alongside or across the street
   4. Hurry across before the signal changes
   Show answer

   Walk, and never run alongside or across the street. A pedestrian should never run alongside of or across a street. Running shortens the time drivers have to see and judge your movement, and it raises the chance of a trip or fall in the lane. Far traffic can close distance faster than it appears, running beside traffic keeps you in the danger area longer, and hurrying to beat a signal change rushes the same crossing. Walk at a steady pace, keep watching for turning vehicles, and give drivers a movement they can predict from the curb to the far side.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrian safety

8. 8. You last checked your car a week ago. What does the manual say to verify before continuing a trip?

   1. The odometer reading, trip mileage, and service log dates
   2. Wheel balance, wheel alignment, and suspension height
   3. Air conditioning output, radio reception, and seat adjustment
   4. Engine coolant and oil, battery water, tire condition and pressure, and lamps
   Show answer

   Engine coolant and oil, battery water, tire condition and pressure, and lamps. If engine coolant, engine oil, battery water, tire condition and pressure and vehicle lamps have not been checked within the previous week, check them, or have them checked at a service station, before you continue your trip. These are the items that strand or endanger a car when neglected: overheated coolant, low oil, a dead battery, a soft or worn tire, a dark lamp. Mileage logs, wheel balance and comfort settings are not the weekly checklist. Glance at the five safety items weekly and the long drive starts with no surprises.

9. 9. You are riding a bicycle past parked cars. How much space should you leave, and why?

   1. At least 3 feet, in case a driver suddenly opens the door
   2. At least 1 foot, in case a mirror sticks out
   3. About 2 feet, to stay clear of mirrors and handles
   4. No set space if you ride slowly past the cars
   Show answer

   At least 3 feet, in case a driver suddenly opens the door. A bicyclist should leave at least 3 feet when riding past parked cars, so a door opened suddenly will not strike the rider. Doors swing wider than mirrors and handles, and an occupant may open one without seeing a bicycle approaching from behind. One foot keeps the rider inside the swing of most doors, two feet still falls short of the clearance named, and slow speed alone does not create space where none exists. Ride far enough out to clear an opening door, stay predictable, and watch for occupants and pull out movements.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and school buses

10. 10. What does every use of the brakes cost, according to the manual?

    1. Nothing at all, if the pedal is applied gently
    2. Engine power only
    3. Fuel money and brake and tire wear
    4. Tire pressure alone
    Show answer

    Fuel money and brake and tire wear. The manual notes that brakes stop a vehicle by converting its energy of motion into heat, and that every time you use the brakes you waste the money you paid for fuel and cause wear on the brakes and tires. Its advice is to avoid bursts of speed followed by heavy braking: steady pacing preserves both fuel and friction material. Gentle application still costs energy, braking does not consume engine power in that sense, and tire pressure is not the currency. Look ahead, ease off early, and let the car coast down.

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, turns and freeways

11. 11. How does the manual suggest signaling that your broken-down car needs assistance?

    1. Leave the driver's door open so help can see inside
    2. Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna
    3. Turn on the interior dome light for passing cars
    4. Sound the horn in short bursts until help arrives
    Show answer

    Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna. The manual suggests raising the hood and tying a white cloth to the radio antenna or door handle, or using a sign made for that purpose. These signals are visible to passing traffic and to a tow operator without putting anyone in the roadway. An open door invites someone to step into traffic, a dome light is invisible in daylight, and repeated horn bursts do not carry the same meaning. Use hazards and flares as well, and stay off the road while you wait.

    Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, brake failure, skids and fires

12. 12. How does the Hawaii manual describe alcohol's effect on the body?

    1. A depressant that slows reflexes and impairs judgment
    2. A stimulant that sharpens reflexes
    3. A painkiller that improves night vision
    4. A sedative that wears off after one hour
    Show answer

    A depressant that slows reflexes and impairs judgment. Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant. It slows normal reflexes, interferes with judgment, reduces alertness and impairs vision. A drinker who feels lively or talkative is feeling lowered inhibitions, not sharper driving skill, and the manual warns that this feeling can encourage risky choices. Coffee, cold air or a shower may make someone feel more awake but do not restore reaction time. Plan a ride before the first drink rather than judging your fitness after it.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, drugs and the law

13. 13. When may a Hawaii police officer request an alcohol test from a driver?

    1. Only after a crash with an injury
    2. When the officer believes the driver is under the influence
    3. Only with a passenger's permission
    4. At a routine stop, even when nothing about the driving suggests alcohol
    Show answer

    When the officer believes the driver is under the influence. The manual says a police officer who believes a driver is under the influence of alcohol may request the driver to take a test. The request does not require a crash or an injury first, and a passenger cannot consent on the driver's behalf. A routine stop alone is not the standard the manual describes; the officer's belief supplies the reason. Under implied consent, a driver who operates on Hawaii's public highways has already agreed to testing. Refusing can lead to revocation and does not prevent a charge, so cooperate and let the result speak.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, drugs and the law

14. 14. Before a freeway trip, what does the manual say to be sure of about your vehicle?

    1. That the radio has traffic updates
    2. Gasoline, oil, water and good tires
    3. That the trunk holds chains and flares
    4. That the plates show a freeway sticker
    Show answer

    Gasoline, oil, water and good tires. Under planning your trip, the manual says to be sure the vehicle is properly equipped with gasoline, oil, water and good tires, and it notes that service stations are located off the freeway. A breakdown on the freeway can create an extremely dangerous situation, so the check happens before you enter. Radio updates, trunk chains and plate stickers are not the equipment the manual lists. Fuel, fluids and tires are the basics that keep a disabled car off a high-speed roadway.

15. 15. While coping with completely failed brakes, what does the manual tell you to look for?

    1. A steep uphill grade that can roll the car to a stop
    2. A soft gravel shoulder to grind against and slow down
    3. A guardrail to scrape along slowly until the car stops
    4. An escape route, such as a side road or a flat open area
    Show answer

    An escape route, such as a side road or a flat open area. If your brakes fail completely, the sequence is to pump the pedal quickly, shift to a lower gear, then look for an escape route such as a side road or a flat open area, using your lights and horn to warn others. Only then do you apply the parking brake gradually. An uphill, a soft shoulder or a guardrail scrape are improvised ideas, not the manual's instruction, and scraping a guardrail can roll or trap the car. Pick the open, flat way out and warn everyone around you.

    Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, brake failure, skids and fires

16. 16. During a pass on a two-lane road, what gap does the manual say to keep from the vehicle you are overtaking?

    1. None, once you pull alongside
    2. Ample following distance, to observe opposing or conflicting traffic
    3. One car length at minimum
    4. Whatever distance keeps your horn audible to the driver
    Show answer

    Ample following distance, to observe opposing or conflicting traffic. While passing, the manual says to allow ample following distance between your vehicle and the overtaken vehicle so you can observe any opposing or conflicting traffic. The gap is working space: it keeps your view of the oncoming lane open, gives the driver ahead room if something goes wrong, and lets you settle back in cleanly. Zero distance, a single fixed car length or a horn-range gap are not the standard the manual sets. Judge the space by what you can see and what you may still need to do.

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, turns and freeways

17. 17. What do single solid yellow no-passing lines mark on a Hawaii two-lane road?

    1. Zones where speeds drop by ten mph
    2. Zones where passing is prohibited
    3. Lanes reserved for buses
    4. Areas where parking is allowed
    Show answer

    Zones where passing is prohibited. No Passing Lines are single solid yellow lines used on two-lane roads to show zones where passing is prohibited. The solid line warns that sight distance or traffic conditions make a pass unsafe through that stretch, so stay in your lane until the line breaks or ends. The manual allows crossing such a line only to make a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. Speed drops, bus lanes and parking rules are different devices entirely.

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement markings

18. 18. You plan to ride a bicycle at night. What equipment does the manual say you must have?

    1. A rear light and pedal reflectors only
    2. Light colored clothing and a helmet only
    3. A headlight and a rear reflector
    4. A headlight and a bell or horn
    Show answer

    A headlight and a rear reflector. Night riding requires a headlight and a rear reflector. The headlight lets the rider see the road and lets others see the bicycle coming, while the rear reflector returns light to drivers behind. A rear light and pedal reflectors are recommended extras, but on their own they leave the front without the required lamp. Light clothing and a helmet help visibility and protection, yet neither replaces the required equipment, and a bell or horn warns by sound rather than light. Fit the lamp and reflector before dark, and add the recommended items as well.

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and school buses

19. 19. What three factors must proper safe vehicle speed in Hawaii be adjusted to, while staying within posted limits?

    1. Traffic, road conditions, and time of day
    2. Traffic, weather and road conditions
    3. Weather, traffic, and headlight use
    4. Road conditions, weather, and passenger load
    Show answer

    Traffic, weather and road conditions. Safe speed in Hawaii is a three factor judgment: the proper safe vehicle speed must be adjusted to traffic, weather and road conditions and should always be within the posted speed limits. Time of day, headlight use and passenger load can matter on a trip, but they are not the three factors named for choosing a safe speed. Each wrong set swaps one named factor for something else. A posted ceiling remains a ceiling even when conditions allow less. On a rainy night behind slow trucks, all three factors argue for less speed. Set the pace they jointly permit, not the pace the sign alone allows.

20. 20. The brake warning lamp lights when the foot brake pedal is pressed in a Hawaii vehicle. What does that mean?

    1. The brake system is defective and the vehicle should not be driven
    2. The parking brake needs adjusting within the next month of driving
    3. The brake fluid color has changed and needs checking at next service
    4. The brake pads are worn thin and should be replaced soon
    Show answer

    The brake system is defective and the vehicle should not be driven. A brake warning lamp that illuminates when the foot brake pedal is pressed reports a defective brake system, and Hawaii says the vehicle should not be driven. Waiting a month or until the next service keeps a failed stopping system on public roads. Worn pads need prompt service, but a lamp lit by pedal pressure reports a defective system, not ordinary wear. Brake fluid color is a maintenance item, not what this warning announces. Treat a pedal triggered brake lamp as a tow truck call. Arrange repair where the car sits rather than nursing it home on doubtful brakes.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts and children