Driving Laws in Hawaii for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving restrictions and specific initiatives aimed at keeping Hawaii’s elderly drivers and highways safe.

Driving rules in Hawaii are enforced by the following agencies, depending on the county:

Honolulu City and County Customer Service Department
Maui County Finance Department
The Hawaii County Department of Finance, the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division, and the Kauai County Department of Finance are all part of the Hawaii County Department of Finance.

While the numerous Hawaii driving authorities police a plethora of laws and regulations that apply to drivers of all ages and stages, the state imposes certain unique requirements and limits on senior drivers.

The Hawaii state standards are discussed in further detail below, but a few of them concentrate on recognizing and dealing with elderly drivers who may have become risky.

In particular, Hawaii:

Drivers 72 and older must renew their licenses every two years, and driving authorities have the authority to limit licenses in the interest of keeping drivers and highways safe.

License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

To renew their licenses, all applicants must fill out a Driver’s License Application. Drivers 72 and older who want to renew their licenses must follow special criteria.

Drivers 72 and older must renew their licenses every two years. Drivers aged 21 to 71 must renew their licenses every six years, but those under 21 might be awarded a four-year license.

Renewal requires a vision exam.

Written test: At the discretion of the licensing authority, a written test may be needed.

Road test: At the discretion of the licensing authority, a road test may be necessary.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

Driving authorities may impose limits or conditions on a driver’s license in order to keep both the driver and the roads safe. The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other frequent regulations that the DMV may place on senior drivers and their automobiles in Hawaii include:

vehicles equipped with outside mirrors driving only vehicles with automatic transmissions\s driving only vehicles with power steering\s no nighttime driving\s vehicles with full hand equipment\s vehicles equipped with mechanical signals\s vehicles equipped with a steering knob\s wearing hearing aids while driving, and\s wearing prosthetic aids while driving.

In Hawaii, How to Request an Unsafe Driver Investigation

Unlike other states, Hawaii does not have a formal mechanism in place for family members, friends, and other concerned persons to report a motorist who has become hazardous behind the wheel. Driving authorities have the authority to order medical examinations for drivers who have become hazardous behind the wheel; medical practitioners must report their findings on a Medical Report Form.

For further information, contact your county’s licensing authorities.

How to Obtain Parking Placards or Plates for a Disabled Driver

The Hawaii Office of Aging may provide disabled person parking placards and plates to drivers with restricted mobility if a registered medical practitioner verifies the condition.

Placards and license plates are available for people who:

have a significant respiratory impairment and are unable to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest owing to an arthritic, neurologic, orthopedic, oncologic, renal, or vascular problem
have a serious cardiac problem
are unable to walk without the assistance of a walker or another person, or need portable oxygen.

To receive a disability placard or plate, you must do the following:

Get a Person With a Disability Parking Permit Application and fill it out.
The second page of the application should be completed by a qualified physician or advanced practice registered nurse.
Send the original application to the address specified on the form.