Hawaii Moped Laws
Driving of mopeds.(a) No person less than fifteen years of age shall drive a moped.
(b) No person shall drive a moped except while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the moped.
(c) No person shall drive a moped which is carrying any other person nor shall any person other than the driver ride upon a moped.
Driving mopeds on roadways.
(a) Every person driving a moped upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except under any of the following situations:
(1) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway, except where prohibited by official traffic-control devices;
(2) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge;
(3) When a roadway is designated and signposted to carry traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, a person operating a moped may ride as near to the left-hand side of the roadway as practicable.
(b) Persons driving mopeds upon a roadway shall drive in single file.
(c) No person shall drive a moped on any sidewalk or area intended for use as a sidewalk, nor shall any person drive a moped on any path or other area intended for the exclusive use of pedestrians.
Moped equipment requirements and inspection.
(a) Every moped offered for sale for use upon, sold for use upon, or used upon the roadways and highways shall be equipped with:
(1) A motor having a maximum power output capability, measured at the motor output shaft, in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineers standards, of two horsepower (one thousand four hundred ninety-two watts) or less and, if it is a combustion engine, a maximum piston or rotor displacement of 3.05 cubic inches (fifty cubic centimeters) and which will propel the moped, unassisted, on a level surface at a maximum speed no greater than thirty miles per hour; provided that those mopeds, including those modified pursuant to section 291C-206, registered prior to April 23, 1998 shall continue to be subject to the prior thirty-five miles per hour maximum speed limitation; and
(2) A direct or automatic power drive system which requires no clutch or gear shift operation by the moped driver after the drive system is engaged with the power unit.
(b) The director of transportation by rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 91, shall establish criteria which shall comply with approved federal regulations for the following moped equipment: brake system; fuel system components; exhaust system components; steering system; handlebars; wheel rims; fenders; a guard or protective covering for drive belts, chains and rotating components; seat or saddle; lamps and reflectors; equipment controls; speedometer; retracting stand; horn; and identification markings.
(c) The director of transportation by rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 91, shall establish criteria and procedures for the annual safety inspection of every moped. Safety inspection criteria shall include the criteria established by the director of transportation under subsection (b)
Moped liability insurance; coverage for damage by rented or leased moped.
Every person who offers a moped for rent or lease shall insure the moped against loss resulting from liability imposed by law for bodily injury, death or property damage suffered by any person other than the owner or operator of the moped arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of the moped. The moped liability insurance shall have a coverage of not less than $25,000 per occurrence bodily injury and $5,000 per occurrence property damage.
