Hawaii Driver’s Manual – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, license types, traffic controls, safety concepts, and legal definitions from the Hawaii Driver’s Manual excerpt.

Real ID Compliant License

A Hawaii driver’s license that meets federal identification standards and is acceptable for boarding aircraft or entering certain federal facilities.

Instruction Permit

A permit allowing supervised driving; holder must be at least 15½ years old and be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older.

Provisional License

An intermediate license for drivers under 18 that must be held at least 6 months before qualifying for a full Class 3 license.

Class 3 License

A standard Hawaii driver’s license for cars and light trucks (GVWR 18,000 lb or less) and vehicles designed for 15 or fewer passengers.

Limited Purpose License

A Hawaii license issued without a Social Security number; valid for driving only and not for federal identification purposes.

Graduated Licensing Program

A three-stage system (instruction permit, provisional license, full license) designed to let minors gain driving experience under lower-risk conditions.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

A license that authorizes the operation of large or specialized commercial motor vehicles and requires passing additional knowledge and skills tests.

Class A (CDL)

License class allowing operation of a combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lb or more, towing a unit over 10,000 lb GVWR.

Class B (CDL)

License class for a single vehicle of 26,001 lb GVWR or more, or such a vehicle towing a unit not over 10,000 lb GVWR.

Class C (CDL)

License class for smaller commercial vehicles that transport 16+ passengers or haul hazardous materials requiring placards.

PMVI (Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection)

The annual safety inspection required for all vehicles operated on Hawaii public highways.

Reconstructed Vehicle

A vehicle that has been modified or rebuilt and must pass a special county inspection before being operated on public roads.

Proof of Legal Presence

Documents (e.g., U.S. passport or birth certificate) that verify an applicant’s lawful status in the United States.

Principal Residence Documents

Two documents showing the applicant’s Hawaii residence address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, required for licensing.

Driver Performance (Road) Test

A practical on-road exam that evaluates a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely and obey traffic laws.

Knowledge Test

The written examination covering rules of the road, traffic signs, and safe-driving practices required for a permit or license.

Vision Test

Screening that checks a license applicant’s eyesight to ensure it meets minimum safety standards.

National Driver Register (NDR)

A federal database of drivers whose licenses are suspended or revoked; Hawaii checks this before issuing or renewing licenses.

Organ Donor Designation

An optional indication on a Hawaii driver’s license showing the holder’s consent to donate organs or tissue upon death.

Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)

A legal document stating a person’s medical wishes if incapacitated; “AHCD” can be printed on the license front.

Safety Inspection Sticker

The decal affixed to a vehicle after passing the PMVI, showing the month and year the next inspection is due.

No-Passing Zone

A roadway segment marked by a solid yellow line or pennant-shaped sign where overtaking another vehicle is prohibited.

School Zone Speed Limit

A reduced speed limit in the vicinity of schools and playgrounds that applies when children are present.

Tow-Away Zone

An area where stopping or parking is prohibited during posted hours; vehicles may be removed at owner’s expense.

Right-of-Way

The legal privilege of the immediate use of the roadway; must be yielded to others as required by law.

Hydroplaning

A loss of tire traction on a wet surface causing the vehicle to ride on a film of water and reducing control.

Defensive Driving

A driving approach that anticipates hazards, maintains safe following distances, and always leaves an escape path.

Implied Consent Law

Hawaii law stating that by driving, a person agrees to chemical testing for alcohol; refusal can lead to license revocation.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

The measurement of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream; 0.08 % or higher is legally under the influence for drivers 21+.

Zero Tolerance

Hawaii rule making it illegal for drivers under 21 to operate a vehicle with BAC 0.02 % or higher.

Stopping Distance

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver sees a hazard to when the vehicle stops.

Two-Second Rule

A safe-following-distance guideline: a driver should pass a fixed point at least two seconds after the vehicle ahead.

PMD (Personal Mobile Device) Law

Hawaii statute prohibiting holding or using a phone or other electronic device while driving, except with hands-free equipment.

Pedestrian Safety Zone

A marked area within a roadway reserved exclusively for pedestrian use and protected by signs or markings.

Accessible Parking Space

A designated stall marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility for vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or plate.

Access Aisle

The striped area next to an accessible parking space that must remain clear for wheelchair lifts and mobility devices.

Moped License (Class 1)

A Hawaii license permitting operation of a moped; requires a special knowledge and skills test if the applicant has no other license.

Motorcycle License (Class 2)

A license authorizing operation of motorcycles and motorscooters; obtained by passing motorcycle-specific tests.

Autocycle

A three-wheeled motorcycle with a steering wheel and seating that does not require straddling; operable with a Class 3 license.

Hazard Warning Signals

Four-way flashing lights used to indicate a vehicle is stopped or moving slowly due to an emergency.

Brake Warning Lamp

Dashboard light that illuminates when the parking brake is engaged or if the brake system loses hydraulic pressure.

Skid

A loss of traction causing wheels to slide; corrected by easing off the brake/accelerator and steering into the direction of the skid.

Hydraulic Brake Failure

A loss of braking power; initial corrective action is to pump the brake pedal rapidly to restore pressure.

Safety Chain

An auxiliary linkage between a trailer and towing vehicle designed to keep the units connected if the hitch fails.

Breakaway Protection

A trailer safety device that automatically applies trailer brakes if the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle.

Load-Carrying Capacity

The maximum weight a vehicle can safely carry, including passengers and cargo.

Blind Spot

An area around the vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors; requires a shoulder check before changing lanes.

Yellow Flashing Light

A signal indicating that drivers may proceed through an intersection or past a hazard only with caution.

Red Flashing Light

A signal requiring drivers to stop completely and proceed only when it is safe—equivalent to a stop sign.

Edge Line

A solid white or yellow line marking the outer boundary of a roadway’s travel lane.

Centerline

A yellow line separating traffic moving in opposite directions on a two-way road.

Stop Line

A solid white line across traffic lanes indicating where vehicles must stop at a sign or signal.

Crosswalk

The portion of a roadway designated for pedestrian crossing marked by lines or other surface indicators.

Two-Way Left-Turn Lane

A center lane marked by solid and dashed yellow lines that vehicles from both directions may use to make left turns only.

Yield Sign

A red-and-white triangular regulatory sign instructing drivers to slow or stop and give the right-of-way to cross traffic.

Divided Highway Ends

A diamond-shaped warning sign indicating the separation between opposing traffic will end ahead.

Slippery When Wet

A warning sign featuring a vehicle with skid marks, alerting drivers that the road surface is dangerous when wet.

No Stopping Anytime

A regulatory sign indicating that vehicles may not stop or park at any time except to obey traffic control devices or avoid conflicts.

PMVI Sticker Color

Indicates the inspection’s expiration month; the upper number is the month, centre sticker shows the year.