Hawaii motorcycle permit test numbers to know

Distances, speeds, limits, fines and deadlines are the questions people miss most, because they have to be memorized. Here are 27 Hawaii numbers, grouped and cited, with a free quiz and flashcards to lock them in.

Numbers quiz

12 questions a round from the 18 number questions in our Hawaii bank. Questions you miss come back more often in later rounds.

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Numbers flashcards

18 cards: the question on the front, the number and its source on the back. Swipe right if you knew it.

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See 3 of the cards

  • Alcohol & drugs

    On a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?

    At least every two hours

    Riding a motorcycle is more tiring than driving a car. Stop and get off at least every two hours, limit your distance (experienced riders seldom ride more than about six hours a day), and protect yourself from wind, cold and rain.

    Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 52

  • Fines, points & penalties

    What is the minimum bodily-injury liability coverage for a motorcycle policy in Hawaii?

    $20,000 per person with a $40,000 aggregate limit per accident

    A Hawaii motorcycle liability policy must include at least $20,000 per person with a $40,000 aggregate limit per accident, plus at least $10,000 for property damage.

    Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 7

  • Speed limits

    How does Hawaii define a moped?

    A two- or three-wheeled device with a motor of no more than 2 horsepower that cannot exceed 30 mph on level ground

    In Hawaii a moped has two or three wheels, a motor no larger than two horsepower, and can go no faster than 30 mph on a level surface.

    Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 6

Every Hawaii motorcycle number, by topic

Official Hawaii laws come first in each group, then the numbers from our handbook questions. Tap a source to read the exact words it comes from.

Alcohol & drugs

6 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
0.08%Legal BAC limit for adult driversdata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
With .08 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood.
0.02%BAC limit for underage driversdata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
"Measurable amount of alcohol" means a test result equal to or greater than .02 but less than .08 grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood
0.04%BAC limit in a commercial vehicledata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
Driving a commercial motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration of the driver's blood is 0.04 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath or 0.04 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood;
one yearDrunk driving (DUI)Administratively, a first revocation is one yeardata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
With .08 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters or cubic centimeters of blood.
4 or 8 yearsDrunk driving (DUI)Refusing a test after an OUI arrest brings an administrative revocation of 2, 4 or 8 years, double the normal perioddata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
the revocation imposed under subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) shall be for a period of two years, four years, or eight years, respectively.
two hoursOn a long ride, how often should you stop and get off the motorcycle to fight fatigue?At least every two hoursHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 52
Quote
Stop and get off the motorcycle at least every two hours.

Fines, points & penalties

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
$20,000, $40,000What is the minimum bodily-injury liability coverage for a motorcycle policy in Hawaii?$20,000 per person with a $40,000 aggregate limit per accidentHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 7
Quote
Not less than $20,000 per person with an aggregate limit of $40,000 accident.

Speed limits

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
30 mphHow does Hawaii define a moped?A two- or three-wheeled device with a motor of no more than 2 horsepower that cannot exceed 30 mph on level groundHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 6
Quote
A moped is a two or three wheeled device with a motor no larger than two horsepower and a speed capability of no more than 30 mph on a level surface.

Distances & following gaps

5 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
15 inchesIn Hawaii, how high above the seat may motorcycle handlebars legally be raised?No more than 15 inches above the seatHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 6
Quote
Raising the handlebars to a level more than 15 inches (38 cm) above the level of the seat is against the law.
Two secondsUnder normal conditions, what is the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?Two secondsHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 22
Quote
Normally, a minimum of two seconds distance should be maintained behind the vehicle ahead.
Three secondsThe pavement is slippery and traffic is heavy. What following distance does the manual recommend?Three seconds or moreHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 22
Quote
open up a three-second or more following distance.
12 secondsHow far ahead should you search for hazards to give yourself time to prepare before a situation becomes immediate?About 12 seconds aheadHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 26
Quote
looking ahead to an area it would take about 12 seconds to reach.
one secondIn a staggered group formation, how far back should the second rider stay from the leader?At least one second back, in the right side of the laneHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 45
Quote
the second rider stays at least one second back and rides in the right side of the lane.

Ages, permits & the test

10 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
25Questions on the testkauai.gov
Quote
Class 2 Instructional Permit (Motorcycles & Mopeds) ... All applicants must successfully complete the State’s Basic Rider Course (BRC) before applying for a class 2 permit. ... To apply for a class 2 Instruction Permit, applicants must be at least fifteen (15) years and six (6) months of age. ... Pass a 25-question multiple choice written examination
15 years, 6 monthsMotorcycle permit15 years 6 monthsdata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
Any person aged fifteen years and six months or more who, except for the person's lack of instruction in operating a motor vehicle, would be qualified to obtain a driver's license
One yearMotorcycle permitOne yeardata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
to drive a motor vehicle upon the highways for a period of one year;
1 yearOnce you pass the knowledge and vision exams, how long is a Hawaii motorcycle instruction permit valid?1 yearHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 5
Quote
Upon satisfactory completion of the knowledge and vision examinations, you will be issued an instruction permit valid for 1 year.
three monthsYour Hawaii motorcycle instruction permit expires and you never took the skill test. What happens?You must wait three months before applying for another permitHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 6
Quote
you must wait three months before applying for another motorcycle instruction permit.
7 yearsWhat is the youngest passenger a Hawaii motorcyclist may legally carry?7 years oldHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 7
Quote
You must not carry a passenger who is under the age of 7 years.
15%How can completing a motorcycle education course save you money on insurance in Hawaii?You receive a 15% discount on liability premiumsHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 8
Quote
You will receive a 15% discount on premiums for liability coverages if you successfully complete a motorcycle education course.
180 daysA 16-year-old in Hawaii wants to schedule the motorcycle road test. Under the current county licensing rules, how long must they have practised on a learner's permit?180 daysHawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Motor Vehicle Safety Office website
Quote
you must have practiced driving on your learner's permit for 180 days and you must have earned a Driver Education Student Completion Certificate
15 years, 6 monthsWhat is the minimum age to apply for a Class 2 (motorcycle) instruction permit in Hawaii?15 years and 6 monthsHawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Motor Vehicle Safety Office website
Quote
To apply for a class 2 Instruction Permit, applicants must be at least fifteen (15) years and six (6) months of age.
at least 45You need to cross a pavement seam that runs parallel to your path. How should you do it?Move away from it, then cross at an angle of at least 45 degreesHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 39
Quote
move far enough away from tracks, ruts, or pavement seams to cross at an angle of at least 45˚.

Time limits & deadlines

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
five monthsYou have ridden for years, but you just bought a motorcycle of a different model. Why does the manual say to ride extra carefully on it at first?More than half of all crashes involve riders with less than five months of experience on their motorcycleHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 14
Quote
involve riders with less than five months of experience on their motorcycle.

Seat belts, lights & equipment

2 numbers
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
under 18HelmetsOperators and passengers under 18 must wear a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strapdata.capitol.hawaii.gov
Quote
No person less than eighteen years of age shall operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or motor scooter on any highway in the State unless the person wears a safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap.
18 yearsUnder Hawaii law, who must wear an approved safety helmet on a motorcycle?Any operator or passenger under 18 years of ageHawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 7
Quote
Any operator or passengers under 18 years of age must wear an approved safety helmet securely fastened with a chin strap.

Other numbers

1 number
NumberWhat it’s aboutSource
70%About how much of the motorcycle's stopping power can the front brake provide?At least 70%Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), page 19
Quote
The front brake is more powerful and can provide at least 70% of your total stopping power.

Memory tips

How to study them (our advice, not official rules):

  • Learn the number with its unit and its place. “15 feet from a hydrant” sticks; “15” on its own gets mixed up with 15 mph.
  • Say the answer before you look. Recalling the number yourself is harder than spotting it among four options, and it is what makes it stick.
  • Come back to the ones you miss. The quiz above brings missed questions back more often. Short rounds over several days beat one long session.

Questions about the numbers

What numbers do I need to know for the Hawaii motorcycle permit test?

Mostly distances (how close you may park to a hydrant or crosswalk, when to signal, when to dim your high beams), speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, and the ages, hours and deadlines for your permit and license. This page lists 27 of them for Hawaii, each with its source.

Why focus on numbers?

A California DMV study of its own knowledge test found that many of the hardest questions “are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.” Numbers are easy to mix up under pressure, so they are worth drilling on their own.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each one is quoted from the Hawaii Motorcycle Operator Manual (DOT-H 2053, R5/17), Hawaii statutes or DOT pages. Our build checks that every number on this page appears word for word in the quote it cites.

Is the numbers drill free?

Yes. The table and the numbers quiz are free and unlimited, and so are the first 20 flashcards.

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