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Hawaii permit test: vehicle equipment and inspection

Required and illegal equipment, safety inspection, and vehicle condition and maintenance. 13 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key vehicle equipment and inspection rulesShow the rules
  1. Vehicles on Hawaii's public highways need an official safety inspection at least once a year. (p. 18)
  2. New vehicles don't need another inspection until two years after the initial inspection on the date they are first sold. (p. 18)
  3. A replacement muffler must not make more noise than the original equipment muffler. (p. 18)
  4. A Hawaii state automobile insurance identification card is required to pass the inspection. (p. 18)
  5. If your directional signals fail, use hand signals until you can get them repaired. (p. 19)
  6. Leaks can let exhaust fumes into the car. (p. 19)
  7. With power steering there should be no more than two inches of free play; without power steering, no more than three inches. (p. 20)
  8. Check your tires at least once a month, including pressure, tread and damage. (p. 20)
  9. Replace tires with less than 1/16 inch of tread. (p. 20)
  10. The brake warning lamp should go out when the parking brake is released. (p. 61)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample vehicle equipment and inspection questions

  1. 1.Your turn signals stop working while you're out driving. What should you do?

    • AUse hand signals until they're fixed
    • BDrive without signaling
    • CFlash your headlights for turns
    • DUse your horn to signal turns
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Use hand signals until they're fixed

    If your directional signals fail, use hand signals until you can get them repaired.

    Source: Official Hawaii Driver's Manual (English) (HMG 5/2023), page 19

  2. 2.Your car has antilock brakes. How should you use the brake pedal in a hard stop?

    • APress it only halfway
    • BTap it with your left foot
    • CPump the pedal quickly
    • DDon't pump the pedal
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Don't pump the pedal

    The handbook says to practice not pumping the brake pedal with antilock brakes, so you know what to expect in an emergency stop.

    Source: Official Hawaii Driver's Manual (English) (HMG 5/2023), page 19

  3. 3.What document must you have for your car to pass its Hawaii safety inspection?

    • AYour high school diploma
    • BA repair shop receipt
    • CA state insurance ID card
    • DYour birth certificate
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. A state insurance ID card

    A Hawaii state automobile insurance identification card is required to pass the inspection.

    Source: Official Hawaii Driver's Manual (English) (HMG 5/2023), page 18

  4. 4.You want to add a blue light that can be seen from outside your car. Is that legal?

    • AYes, if it is small
    • BNo, only authorized emergency vehicles may
    • CYes, on the back of the car only
    • DYes, if it is turned off while driving
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. No, only authorized emergency vehicles may

    A blue light visible outside the vehicle, or a red light showing from the front, is prohibited except on authorized emergency vehicles.

    Source: Official Hawaii Driver's Manual (English) (HMG 5/2023), page 18