Driving on Right Side of Roadway;

HRS div. 1, tit. 17, ch. 291C, pt. V

in effect

HRS §291C-41 Drive on right side of roadway; exceptions

291C-41. Drive on right side of roadway; exceptions (a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows: (1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing the movement; (2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway; provided that any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within the distance constituting an immediate hazard; (3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or (4) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic. (b) Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (c) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use the lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2). This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway. (d) Upon any two-lane roadway providing for two-way movement of traffic, any vehicle proceeding at ten miles per hour or more below the posted speed limit where overtaking or passing another vehicle is not possible or permitted, and a line of five or more vehicles is following immediately behind, shall move off the roadway at the nearest safe location where sufficient space exists for trailing vehicles to overtake or pass the vehicle, unless doing so would result in an unsafe situation. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 2024, c 175, §1]

HRS §291C-42 Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions

291C-42. Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1]

HRS §291C-43 Overtaking a vehicle or bicycle on the left

291C-43. Overtaking a vehicle or bicycle on the left The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles or bicycles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated: (1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. (2) The driver of a vehicle passing or overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall allow at least three feet of separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including all mirrors or other protuberances, and the left side of the bicyclist, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle. (3) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of the driver's vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; gen ch 1985; am L 2018, c 47, §2 and c 218, §§2, 9]

HRS §291C-44 When overtaking on the right is permitted

291C-44. When overtaking on the right is permitted (a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; (2) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for and with lanes marked for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; (3) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles. (b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 2018, c 218, §§3, 9]

HRS §291C-45 Limitations on overtaking on the left

291C-45. Limitations on overtaking on the left No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by this part and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two hundred feet of any approaching vehicle. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1]

HRS §291C-46 Further limitation on driving on left of center of roadway

291C-46. Further limitation on driving on left of center of roadway (a) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions: (1) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction; (2) When approaching within one hundred feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing; (3) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel. (b) The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way roadway, nor under the conditions described in section 291C-41(a)(2), nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1]

HRS §291C-47 No-passing zones

291C-47. No-passing zones (a) The director of transportation is authorized to and the counties by ordinance with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may establish no-passing zones where overtaking and passing or driving to the left of the roadway would be especially hazardous and shall by appropriate signs or markings on the highway establish or indicate the beginning and the end of a no-passing zone and may place intermediate signs establishing or indicating the continued existence of a no-passing zone. Signs or markings placed by the director of transportation establishing the zone and signs or markings indicating the zone established by ordinance shall be clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person and every driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions thereof. (b) Where signs or markings are in place to define a no-passing zone as set forth in subsection (a) no driver shall at any time drive on the left side of the roadway within such no-passing zone or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark such no-passing zone throughout its length. (c) This section does not apply under the conditions described in section 291C-41(a)(2), nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 1974, c 133, §2]

HRS §291C-48 One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands

291C-48. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands (a) The director of transportation and the counties with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway, or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic-control devices. (b) Upon a roadway so designated for one-way traffic, a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic-control devices. (c) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of the island. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1]

HRS §291C-49 Driving on roadways laned for traffic

291C-49. Driving on roadways laned for traffic Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply. (1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety. (2) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left turn or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and such allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices. (3) Official traffic-control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign. (4) Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 2018, c 218, §§4, 9]

HRS §291C-50 Following too closely

291C-50. Following too closely (a) The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway. (b) The driver of a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any like vehicle or other vehicle. (c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towing other vehicles shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 1984, c 273, §5]

HRS §291C-51 Driving on divided highways

291C-51. Driving on divided highways Whenever any highway has been divided into two or more roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers. No vehicle shall be driven over, across, or within any such dividing space, barrier, or section, except through an opening in such physical barrier or dividing section or space or at a cross-over or intersection as established, unless specifically prohibited by public authority. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1]

HRS §291C-52 Restricted access

291C-52. Restricted access No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority. L 1971, c 150, pt of §1

HRS §291C-53 Restrictions on use of controlled-access roadway or highway

291C-53. Restrictions on use of controlled-access roadway or highway (a) The director of transportation by rules adopted in accordance with chapter 91, and the counties by ordinance, may regulate or prohibit the use of any controlled-access roadway or highway within their respective jurisdictions by any class or kind of traffic which is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic. Persons operating motorcycles which are otherwise permitted on a controlled-access roadway or highway shall be permitted to use any high occupancy vehicle lane designated on such roadway or highway. For the purposes of this subsection, "high occupancy vehicle lane" means a designated lane of a laned roadway where the use of such designated lane is restricted to vehicles carrying at least the minimum number of persons designated by the director of transportation as indicated on official signs and other official traffic-control devices, and to other vehicles as provided by rules adopted in accordance with chapter 91, or by county ordinance. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no person shall operate a neighborhood electric vehicle on any controlled-access roadway or highway. (b) The director of transportation or a county adopting any such prohibition shall erect and maintain official traffic-control devices on the controlled-access roadway or highway on which such prohibitions are applicable and when in place no person shall disobey the restrictions stated on such devices. [L 1971, c 150, pt of §1; am L 1983, c 123, §1; am L 1989, c 29, §2; am L 1993, c 224, §§3, 6; am L 1995, c 25, §1; am L 1997, c 309, §§1, 4; am L 1999, c 262, §3(3); am L 2007, c 42, §1]

Source: Hawaii State Legislature (capitol.hawaii.gov), via Internet Archive capturesURL: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-.htmFetched: 11/10/2026