Hawaii Cell Phone Law While Driving: Red Lights, Under 18, Fines
Can I hold my phone at a red light in Hawaii, and what is the fine?
No. Hawaii law bans hand-held use of a mobile electronic device while you drive, also when you are stopped at a red light or stop sign. Drivers under 18 may not use hands-free devices either. HDOT said in 2021 and 2023 that the fine starts at $297 (U.S. dollars). In 2024 it said the penalty in a school zone or construction area rose to $400.
Where these rules come from
The rule, the under-18 ban and the fines come from three news releases of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT): the April 2021 release, the April 2023 release and the April 2024 release. The driving advice comes from the 2023 Hawaii Driver's Manual. The road test rule comes from the City and County of Honolulu road test page. This guide is current as of 2026, and fine amounts can change. Confirm the rules with your county driver licensing office or the Hawaii Department of Transportation (hidot.hawaii.gov) before you drive.
Hawaii phone rules for drivers at a glance
| Situation | What HDOT says |
|---|---|
| While you drive | Texting and other hand-held use of a mobile electronic device are illegal while you operate a motor vehicle. |
| Stopped at a red light or stop sign | Hand-held use is still prohibited. |
| Driver under 18 | No hands-free use of a mobile electronic device while you operate a motor vehicle. |
| Devices named | Cell phones, mp3 players, personal digital assistants and navigation devices |
| Fine | Starts at $297 (HDOT, 2021 and 2023) |
| School zone or construction area | $400 for a driver who uses a cell phone (HDOT, 2024) |
Hand-held phone use at a red light or stop sign
Hawaii's hand-held ban does not pause when traffic stops. HDOT says the law also bans hand-held use of a mobile electronic device when you are stopped at a red light or stop sign. So do not pick up the phone to read a message or check a route while you wait for the light. You can test the rule with the free practice question on holding a phone at a red light. Our practice tests are free and in English only.
What the law means in common situations
Hawaii phone ticket: what HDOT says about fines
HDOT gave these amounts in its April news releases. In 2021, the fine started at $297, and violations in school zones or construction areas started at $347. In 2023, the fine still started at $297, and fines could increase in a school zone or construction area. In April 2024, the newest release, HDOT said it had recently increased penalties to $400 for drivers who use a cell phone in a school zone or construction area. Use $400 for those zones, not the older $347.
Phone tickets and crash numbers in Hawaii
HDOT said in 2024 that drivers can expect more enforcement of Hawaii's Mobile Electronic Device Law. In 2023 the Honolulu Police Department cited more than 4,700 people for operating a vehicle while using a cell phone. Preliminary HDOT data for 2023 show that 26 of the 119 drivers in fatal crashes were distracted by an outside factor, such as cell phone use or another person in the vehicle.
What to do instead of using your phone
- Ask a passenger to be your designated texter and to answer your calls and messages.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb, or put the phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat until you arrive.
- Leave social media and messages alone until you park.
What the Driver's Manual adds about calls and other distractions
The Driver's Manual goes beyond the legal ban. It advises you to avoid your phone while the vehicle is in motion. Other distractions to avoid include eating, drinking, reading, talking to passengers and changing the radio station. Plan ahead and set up what you need before you start driving. Keep the stereo or radio low enough that you can hear a siren or a horn outside the vehicle. Pets should not ride in your lap; a carrier is the safest place.
Phones on the Honolulu (Oahu) road test
On Oahu, the City and County of Honolulu road test page says that use of a cell phone and use of a dashboard camera during the exam are prohibited. You may still show an electronic insurance card from your insurer's website, app or database. If you use one, carry that phone during the road test, and download the app before you check in. Read the guide to the road test vehicle check and no-shows before your appointment. On Hawaii Island, in Maui County or on Kauai, check with your county.
Key takeaways
- Hawaii bans hand-held use of mobile electronic devices while you drive, and also at a red light or stop sign.
- No driver under 18 may use a hands-free mobile electronic device.
- HDOT said the fine starts at $297 in 2021 and 2023, and that penalties rose to $400 in a school zone or construction area in 2024.
- To text, pull over and turn off your engine, or ask a passenger to text for you.
- Next step: practice on the free Hawaii Class 3 learner's permit practice test.
Hawaii cell phone law: common questions
Do police enforce the phone law on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island?
Yes. In 2021 HDOT and all four county police departments joined a nationwide push of stepped-up enforcement. Each county police department runs its own enforcement during Distracted Driver Awareness Month in April. In 2024 the Kauai and Maui police departments said they would step up distracted driving enforcement in busy, high-traffic areas.
Can a 17-year-old use Bluetooth in the car in Hawaii?
No. HDOT says that no person under the age of 18 may use a hands-free mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. So a hands-free call through Bluetooth is not allowed while a driver under 18 is at the wheel. HDOT repeated this rule in 2023. Wait until you are parked safely off the road.
Can I use my phone as a GPS while driving in Hawaii?
Not in your hand. HDOT names navigation devices, cell phones, mp3 players and personal digital assistants as mobile electronic devices under the hand-held ban. Set your route before you start. If you need to read a map or directions on the way, the Driver's Manual says to pull over to the side of the road in a safe place.
Can I wear earbuds while I drive in Hawaii?
The Driver's Manual says not to drive with headsets or earphones that cover or go in both ears. They make it too hard to hear emergency horns or sirens. For a driver under 18, the hands-free ban also applies to a device you use through a headset.
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