Hawaii Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend (or red/black on white for prohibitions); they state a law or requirement and noncompliance is a traffic violation.

Red circle with a slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited; the symbol alone on a white square means the action is required or permitted.

STOP requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding when safe; a rolling stop is not compliance.

YIELD (red and white triangle, point down) requires slowing and giving right-of-way to cross traffic; stop only if necessary.

Speed limit signs set the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions; posted limits are absolute unless a separate advisory plaque gives a lower recommended speed.

ONE WAY (black arrow on white) and DO NOT ENTER (red circle with white bar) control direction; DO NOT ENTER faces the wrong-way approach to a one-way street or ramp.

Lane-use control signs: a red X over a lane means the lane is closed to your direction; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Turning signs: NO LEFT TURN, NO U-TURN, and NO RIGHT TURN prohibit the movement at that intersection; mandatory turn signs use a black arrow on white.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD regulatory signs statewide; county variations in parking and beach-access restrictions appear on supplemental plaques.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legend (fluorescent yellow-green for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warnings); they alert to conditions ahead, not to a law.

Diamond shape alone signals a warning; a rectangular yellow plaque below a diamond adds distance or condition detail (for example, a distance plaque or a truck-rollover plaque).

Curve warnings: a yellow diamond with a curved arrow shows direction of the bend; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black text) gives the recommended safe speed, not a legal limit.

Winding road, reverse curve, and hairpin symbols differ: reverse curve shows an S-shape, winding road shows multiple bends, hairpin shows a sharp reversal.

Hill and grade signs: a percent grade plaque states steepness; steep grades require lower gears and, for heavy vehicles, escape ramp awareness.

Intersection warnings: a crossroad symbol shows a four-way intersection ahead; a side-road symbol shows a T or side entry; an added lane symbol shows a new lane joining.

Slippery when wet, deer crossing, falling rocks, and wind gust signs warn of hazards where normal speed may be too fast for conditions.

Two-way traffic and divided highway begins/ends signs mark transitions where the median or opposing traffic pattern changes.

Object markers and chevrons (black on yellow) mark curves and obstructions; chevrons supplement, and do not replace, the curve warning sign.

Guide signs are green with white lettering on conventional highways and freeways; they give destination, distance, route, and exit information rather than commands.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; Hawaii state routes use a numbered outline marker.

Exit signs on freeways show exit number, destination, and distance; advance guide signs appear well before the exit, and the exit-direction sign sits at the gore.

Blue signs indicate motorist services (gas, food, lodging, hospital, phone); brown signs indicate recreation, cultural, and scenic points of interest.

Mile markers are small green signs giving distance along the route; they are used for reporting locations in emergencies.

Object markers and delineators (white or yellow reflective posts) mark the roadway edge; they are guidance devices, not regulatory controls.

Hawaii route markers and county route names appear on guide signs; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island each use county road naming alongside state route numbers.

Airport, seaport, and visitor-destination signs often use symbols plus text; symbol-only signs follow the same meaning as their text equivalents.

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legend; they warn of construction, maintenance, or utility work and the conditions it creates.

Channelizing devices: orange cones, drums, and barricades define the travel path; a barricade with diagonal stripes means the road or lane is closed.

Flagger ahead sign (orange diamond with a flagger symbol) warns of a person controlling traffic; obey the flagger's signals over signs and signals.

A flagger's SLOW paddle means proceed with caution; the STOP paddle means stop and remain stopped until the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW.

Temporary traffic signals and lane-shift arrows (arrow boards) override normal lane assignments within the work zone.

Work zone speed limits are posted and enforceable; fines are commonly doubled for moving violations in active work zones when workers are present.

End road work sign (orange rectangle or diamond) marks the resumption of normal traffic conditions; do not resume full speed until past it.

Detour signs (orange or black on white with an arrow) route traffic around a closure; follow the detour markers rather than attempting to re-enter the closed section.

Pilot cars and one-lane, two-way operations require following the pilot vehicle and not passing within the controlled section.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.

A solid yellow line on your side of a broken yellow line means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; they may be crossed only to turn into or out of a driveway or to make a permitted left turn where legal.

White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed to change lanes; solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes near intersections and gore areas.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge, solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roadways.

Crosswalk markings are parallel white bars (ladder or transverse); a stop line is a solid white bar before the crosswalk where vehicles must stop.

Arrows, ONLY, and lane-use markings in white paint indicate required movements; a straight-only arrow means no turn from that lane.

Railroad pavement markings consist of a white X with the letters RR ahead of the tracks; they supplement the railroad advance warning sign.

Hawaii uses Botts' dots and raised pavement markers on some highways to supplement paint lines, especially in rain-prone areas.

Steady red: stop before the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until green; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.

Steady yellow: the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through the intersection with caution.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; green does not grant an unconditional right-of-way over pedestrians or cross traffic.

Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction; a red X or red arrow over a lane means that movement is prohibited.

Flashing red behaves as a STOP sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution after yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

Dark or non-functioning signals are treated as an all-way stop; a signal in flash mode follows the flashing color rules.

Left-turn signals: a solid green ball with a sign permitting left turn means yield to oncoming traffic; a green arrow means protected turn.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means pedestrians may cross; a raised hand or flashing hand means do not start crossing, and a steady hand means do not enter the crosswalk.

Hawaii right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless posted otherwise; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street where permitted.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a pentagon shape is used for school advance and school crossing signs.

School speed limit signs post a reduced limit that applies during posted hours or when children are present, as stated on the sign or plaque.

A school crossing sign with a walking-children symbol marks a crossing where children may be present; a crossing guard's signals must be obeyed.

Pedestrian crossing signs (fluorescent yellow-green diamond with a walking person) warn of a crosswalk ahead; in-street pedestrian signs may be placed in the roadway.

Crosswalk law: drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited.

School bus signals: flashing yellow means the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red and an extended stop arm mean traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median or barrier.

Hawaii law requires stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road in both directions; on a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop when a physical barrier separates directions.

School zone fines and penalties are enhanced in Hawaii; speeding in a school zone carries higher penalties than the same speed in a normal zone.

Blind pedestrian and accessibility: white canes and guide dogs indicate a pedestrian who may need extra time; yield and do not honk.

Advance warning: a yellow diamond with a round black railroad symbol (or an X-shaped crossbuck) warns of tracks ahead; a distance plaque gives the spacing.

Crossbuck sign (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING in black) marks the crossing itself; it means yield to trains, and a train always has the right-of-way.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised.

A lowered gate means stop; never drive around or under a gate, even if no train is visible.

A crossing with no lights or gates may have a STOP sign or a YIELD plaque; if neither is present, slow, look, and listen before crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side before entering the crossing.

A stalled vehicle on the tracks: get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call 911 and give the crossing number from the blue sign if present.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a freight train at speed may need more than a mile to stop, so an approaching train's distance is not a reliable safety margin.

Hawaii has limited active rail; historic and tour railroad crossings still use crossbucks and flashing signals, and the same yielding rules apply.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD signs; county-specific signs (parking, beach access, tsunami evacuation) appear as supplemental plaques or local postings.

Tsunami evacuation route signs (blue and white wave symbol with an arrow) mark routes to higher ground; they are guide signs, not regulatory controls.

Flash flood and high-surf warnings: signs near streams, gulches, and shorelines warn of sudden water; do not enter flooded roadways.

Trade wind and rain conditions: wet roads are common on windward slopes; reduce speed and increase following distance when signs warn of slippery pavement.

Narrow, winding coastal roads (such as the Road to Hana on Maui) carry curve, one-lane bridge, and falling rock warnings; one-lane bridges require yielding to oncoming traffic.

Volcanic and vog conditions on Hawaii Island can reduce visibility; signs warning of fog or ash require reduced speed and headlights.

Wildlife and feral animal signs (goats, pigs, chickens, and mongoose) appear on rural roads; they warn of animals crossing, not of a legal speed change.

Military installations and federal areas post their own entry signs; a DBID or restricted-area sign means entry is controlled.

Hawaii's default speed limits and right-of-way rules follow state law; posted signs control where they exist, and the basic speed rule applies where they do not.

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend (or red/black on white for prohibitions); they state a law or requirement and noncompliance is a traffic violation.

Red circle with a slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited; the symbol alone on a white square means the action is required or permitted.

STOP requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding when safe; a rolling stop is not compliance.

YIELD (red and white triangle, point down) requires slowing and giving right-of-way to cross traffic; stop only if necessary.

Speed limit signs set the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions; posted limits are absolute unless a separate advisory plaque gives a lower recommended speed.

ONE WAY (black arrow on white) and DO NOT ENTER (red circle with white bar) control direction; DO NOT ENTER faces the wrong-way approach to a one-way street or ramp.

Lane-use control signs: a red X over a lane means the lane is closed to your direction; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Turning signs: NO LEFT TURN, NO U-TURN, and NO RIGHT TURN prohibit the movement at that intersection; mandatory turn signs use a black arrow on white.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD regulatory signs statewide; county variations in parking and beach-access restrictions appear on supplemental plaques.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legend (fluorescent yellow-green for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warnings); they alert to conditions ahead, not to a law.

Diamond shape alone signals a warning; a rectangular yellow plaque below a diamond adds distance or condition detail (for example, a distance plaque or a truck-rollover plaque).

Curve warnings: a yellow diamond with a curved arrow shows direction of the bend; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black text) gives the recommended safe speed, not a legal limit.

Winding road, reverse curve, and hairpin symbols differ: reverse curve shows an S-shape, winding road shows multiple bends, hairpin shows a sharp reversal.

Hill and grade signs: a percent grade plaque states steepness; steep grades require lower gears and, for heavy vehicles, escape ramp awareness.

Intersection warnings: a crossroad symbol shows a four-way intersection ahead; a side-road symbol shows a T or side entry; an added lane symbol shows a new lane joining.

Slippery when wet, deer crossing, falling rocks, and wind gust signs warn of hazards where normal speed may be too fast for conditions.

Two-way traffic and divided highway begins/ends signs mark transitions where the median or opposing traffic pattern changes.

Object markers and chevrons (black on yellow) mark curves and obstructions; chevrons supplement, and do not replace, the curve warning sign.

Guide signs are green with white lettering on conventional highways and freeways; they give destination, distance, route, and exit information rather than commands.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; Hawaii state routes use a numbered outline marker.

Exit signs on freeways show exit number, destination, and distance; advance guide signs appear well before the exit, and the exit-direction sign sits at the gore.

Blue signs indicate motorist services (gas, food, lodging, hospital, phone); brown signs indicate recreation, cultural, and scenic points of interest.

Mile markers are small green signs giving distance along the route; they are used for reporting locations in emergencies.

Object markers and delineators (white or yellow reflective posts) mark the roadway edge; they are guidance devices, not regulatory controls.

Hawaii route markers and county route names appear on guide signs; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island each use county road naming alongside state route numbers.

Airport, seaport, and visitor-destination signs often use symbols plus text; symbol-only signs follow the same meaning as their text equivalents.

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legend; they warn of construction, maintenance, or utility work and the conditions it creates.

Channelizing devices: orange cones, drums, and barricades define the travel path; a barricade with diagonal stripes means the road or lane is closed.

Flagger ahead sign (orange diamond with a flagger symbol) warns of a person controlling traffic; obey the flagger's signals over signs and signals.

A flagger's SLOW paddle means proceed with caution; the STOP paddle means stop and remain stopped until the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW.

Temporary traffic signals and lane-shift arrows (arrow boards) override normal lane assignments within the work zone.

Work zone speed limits are posted and enforceable; fines are commonly doubled for moving violations in active work zones when workers are present.

End road work sign (orange rectangle or diamond) marks the resumption of normal traffic conditions; do not resume full speed until past it.

Detour signs (orange or black on white with an arrow) route traffic around a closure; follow the detour markers rather than attempting to re-enter the closed section.

Pilot cars and one-lane, two-way operations require following the pilot vehicle and not passing within the controlled section.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.

A solid yellow line on your side of a broken yellow line means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; they may be crossed only to turn into or out of a driveway or to make a permitted left turn where legal.

White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed to change lanes; solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes near intersections and gore areas.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge, solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roadways.

Crosswalk markings are parallel white bars (ladder or transverse); a stop line is a solid white bar before the crosswalk where vehicles must stop.

Arrows, ONLY, and lane-use markings in white paint indicate required movements; a straight-only arrow means no turn from that lane.

Railroad pavement markings consist of a white X with the letters RR ahead of the tracks; they supplement the railroad advance warning sign.

Hawaii uses Botts' dots and raised pavement markers on some highways to supplement paint lines, especially in rain-prone areas.

Steady red: stop before the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until green; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.

Steady yellow: the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through the intersection with caution.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; green does not grant an unconditional right-of-way over pedestrians or cross traffic.

Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction; a red X or red arrow over a lane means that movement is prohibited.

Flashing red behaves as a STOP sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution after yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

Dark or non-functioning signals are treated as an all-way stop; a signal in flash mode follows the flashing color rules.

Left-turn signals: a solid green ball with a sign permitting left turn means yield to oncoming traffic; a green arrow means protected turn.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means pedestrians may cross; a raised hand or flashing hand means do not start crossing, and a steady hand means do not enter the crosswalk.

Hawaii right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless posted otherwise; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street where permitted.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a pentagon shape is used for school advance and school crossing signs.

School speed limit signs post a reduced limit that applies during posted hours or when children are present, as stated on the sign or plaque.

A school crossing sign with a walking-children symbol marks a crossing where children may be present; a crossing guard's signals must be obeyed.

Pedestrian crossing signs (fluorescent yellow-green diamond with a walking person) warn of a crosswalk ahead; in-street pedestrian signs may be placed in the roadway.

Crosswalk law: drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited.

School bus signals: flashing yellow means the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red and an extended stop arm mean traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median or barrier.

Hawaii law requires stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road in both directions; on a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop when a physical barrier separates directions.

School zone fines and penalties are enhanced in Hawaii; speeding in a school zone carries higher penalties than the same speed in a normal zone.

Blind pedestrian and accessibility: white canes and guide dogs indicate a pedestrian who may need extra time; yield and do not honk.

Advance warning: a yellow diamond with a round black railroad symbol (or an X-shaped crossbuck) warns of tracks ahead; a distance plaque gives the spacing.

Crossbuck sign (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING in black) marks the crossing itself; it means yield to trains, and a train always has the right-of-way.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised.

A lowered gate means stop; never drive around or under a gate, even if no train is visible.

A crossing with no lights or gates may have a STOP sign or a YIELD plaque; if neither is present, slow, look, and listen before crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side before entering the crossing.

A stalled vehicle on the tracks: get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call 911 and give the crossing number from the blue sign if present.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a freight train at speed may need more than a mile to stop, so an approaching train's distance is not a reliable safety margin.

Hawaii has limited active rail; historic and tour railroad crossings still use crossbucks and flashing signals, and the same yielding rules apply.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD signs; county-specific signs (parking, beach access, tsunami evacuation) appear as supplemental plaques or local postings.

Tsunami evacuation route signs (blue and white wave symbol with an arrow) mark routes to higher ground; they are guide signs, not regulatory controls.

Flash flood and high-surf warnings: signs near streams, gulches, and shorelines warn of sudden water; do not enter flooded roadways.

Trade wind and rain conditions: wet roads are common on windward slopes; reduce speed and increase following distance when signs warn of slippery pavement.

Narrow, winding coastal roads (such as the Road to Hana on Maui) carry curve, one-lane bridge, and falling rock warnings; one-lane bridges require yielding to oncoming traffic.

Volcanic and vog conditions on Hawaii Island can reduce visibility; signs warning of fog or ash require reduced speed and headlights.

Wildlife and feral animal signs (goats, pigs, chickens, and mongoose) appear on rural roads; they warn of animals crossing, not of a legal speed change.

Military installations and federal areas post their own entry signs; a DBID or restricted-area sign means entry is controlled.

Hawaii's default speed limits and right-of-way rules follow state law; posted signs control where they exist, and the basic speed rule applies where they do not.

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend (or red/black on white for prohibitions); they state a law or requirement and noncompliance is a traffic violation.

Red circle with a slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited; the symbol alone on a white square means the action is required or permitted.

STOP requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding when safe; a rolling stop is not compliance.

YIELD (red and white triangle, point down) requires slowing and giving right-of-way to cross traffic; stop only if necessary.

Speed limit signs set the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions; posted limits are absolute unless a separate advisory plaque gives a lower recommended speed.

ONE WAY (black arrow on white) and DO NOT ENTER (red circle with white bar) control direction; DO NOT ENTER faces the wrong-way approach to a one-way street or ramp.

Lane-use control signs: a red X over a lane means the lane is closed to your direction; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Turning signs: NO LEFT TURN, NO U-TURN, and NO RIGHT TURN prohibit the movement at that intersection; mandatory turn signs use a black arrow on white.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD regulatory signs statewide; county variations in parking and beach-access restrictions appear on supplemental plaques.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legend (fluorescent yellow-green for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warnings); they alert to conditions ahead, not to a law.

Diamond shape alone signals a warning; a rectangular yellow plaque below a diamond adds distance or condition detail (for example, a distance plaque or a truck-rollover plaque).

Curve warnings: a yellow diamond with a curved arrow shows direction of the bend; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black text) gives the recommended safe speed, not a legal limit.

Winding road, reverse curve, and hairpin symbols differ: reverse curve shows an S-shape, winding road shows multiple bends, hairpin shows a sharp reversal.

Hill and grade signs: a percent grade plaque states steepness; steep grades require lower gears and, for heavy vehicles, escape ramp awareness.

Intersection warnings: a crossroad symbol shows a four-way intersection ahead; a side-road symbol shows a T or side entry; an added lane symbol shows a new lane joining.

Slippery when wet, deer crossing, falling rocks, and wind gust signs warn of hazards where normal speed may be too fast for conditions.

Two-way traffic and divided highway begins/ends signs mark transitions where the median or opposing traffic pattern changes.

Object markers and chevrons (black on yellow) mark curves and obstructions; chevrons supplement, and do not replace, the curve warning sign.

Guide signs are green with white lettering on conventional highways and freeways; they give destination, distance, route, and exit information rather than commands.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; Hawaii state routes use a numbered outline marker.

Exit signs on freeways show exit number, destination, and distance; advance guide signs appear well before the exit, and the exit-direction sign sits at the gore.

Blue signs indicate motorist services (gas, food, lodging, hospital, phone); brown signs indicate recreation, cultural, and scenic points of interest.

Mile markers are small green signs giving distance along the route; they are used for reporting locations in emergencies.

Object markers and delineators (white or yellow reflective posts) mark the roadway edge; they are guidance devices, not regulatory controls.

Hawaii route markers and county route names appear on guide signs; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island each use county road naming alongside state route numbers.

Airport, seaport, and visitor-destination signs often use symbols plus text; symbol-only signs follow the same meaning as their text equivalents.

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legend; they warn of construction, maintenance, or utility work and the conditions it creates.

Channelizing devices: orange cones, drums, and barricades define the travel path; a barricade with diagonal stripes means the road or lane is closed.

Flagger ahead sign (orange diamond with a flagger symbol) warns of a person controlling traffic; obey the flagger's signals over signs and signals.

A flagger's SLOW paddle means proceed with caution; the STOP paddle means stop and remain stopped until the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW.

Temporary traffic signals and lane-shift arrows (arrow boards) override normal lane assignments within the work zone.

Work zone speed limits are posted and enforceable; fines are commonly doubled for moving violations in active work zones when workers are present.

End road work sign (orange rectangle or diamond) marks the resumption of normal traffic conditions; do not resume full speed until past it.

Detour signs (orange or black on white with an arrow) route traffic around a closure; follow the detour markers rather than attempting to re-enter the closed section.

Pilot cars and one-lane, two-way operations require following the pilot vehicle and not passing within the controlled section.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.

A solid yellow line on your side of a broken yellow line means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; they may be crossed only to turn into or out of a driveway or to make a permitted left turn where legal.

White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed to change lanes; solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes near intersections and gore areas.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge, solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roadways.

Crosswalk markings are parallel white bars (ladder or transverse); a stop line is a solid white bar before the crosswalk where vehicles must stop.

Arrows, ONLY, and lane-use markings in white paint indicate required movements; a straight-only arrow means no turn from that lane.

Railroad pavement markings consist of a white X with the letters RR ahead of the tracks; they supplement the railroad advance warning sign.

Hawaii uses Botts' dots and raised pavement markers on some highways to supplement paint lines, especially in rain-prone areas.

Steady red: stop before the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until green; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.

Steady yellow: the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through the intersection with caution.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; green does not grant an unconditional right-of-way over pedestrians or cross traffic.

Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction; a red X or red arrow over a lane means that movement is prohibited.

Flashing red behaves as a STOP sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution after yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

Dark or non-functioning signals are treated as an all-way stop; a signal in flash mode follows the flashing color rules.

Left-turn signals: a solid green ball with a sign permitting left turn means yield to oncoming traffic; a green arrow means protected turn.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means pedestrians may cross; a raised hand or flashing hand means do not start crossing, and a steady hand means do not enter the crosswalk.

Hawaii right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless posted otherwise; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street where permitted.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a pentagon shape is used for school advance and school crossing signs.

School speed limit signs post a reduced limit that applies during posted hours or when children are present, as stated on the sign or plaque.

A school crossing sign with a walking-children symbol marks a crossing where children may be present; a crossing guard's signals must be obeyed.

Pedestrian crossing signs (fluorescent yellow-green diamond with a walking person) warn of a crosswalk ahead; in-street pedestrian signs may be placed in the roadway.

Crosswalk law: drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited.

School bus signals: flashing yellow means the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red and an extended stop arm mean traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median or barrier.

Hawaii law requires stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road in both directions; on a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop when a physical barrier separates directions.

School zone fines and penalties are enhanced in Hawaii; speeding in a school zone carries higher penalties than the same speed in a normal zone.

Blind pedestrian and accessibility: white canes and guide dogs indicate a pedestrian who may need extra time; yield and do not honk.

Advance warning: a yellow diamond with a round black railroad symbol (or an X-shaped crossbuck) warns of tracks ahead; a distance plaque gives the spacing.

Crossbuck sign (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING in black) marks the crossing itself; it means yield to trains, and a train always has the right-of-way.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised.

A lowered gate means stop; never drive around or under a gate, even if no train is visible.

A crossing with no lights or gates may have a STOP sign or a YIELD plaque; if neither is present, slow, look, and listen before crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side before entering the crossing.

A stalled vehicle on the tracks: get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call 911 and give the crossing number from the blue sign if present.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a freight train at speed may need more than a mile to stop, so an approaching train's distance is not a reliable safety margin.

Hawaii has limited active rail; historic and tour railroad crossings still use crossbucks and flashing signals, and the same yielding rules apply.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD signs; county-specific signs (parking, beach access, tsunami evacuation) appear as supplemental plaques or local postings.

Tsunami evacuation route signs (blue and white wave symbol with an arrow) mark routes to higher ground; they are guide signs, not regulatory controls.

Flash flood and high-surf warnings: signs near streams, gulches, and shorelines warn of sudden water; do not enter flooded roadways.

Trade wind and rain conditions: wet roads are common on windward slopes; reduce speed and increase following distance when signs warn of slippery pavement.

Narrow, winding coastal roads (such as the Road to Hana on Maui) carry curve, one-lane bridge, and falling rock warnings; one-lane bridges require yielding to oncoming traffic.

Volcanic and vog conditions on Hawaii Island can reduce visibility; signs warning of fog or ash require reduced speed and headlights.

Wildlife and feral animal signs (goats, pigs, chickens, and mongoose) appear on rural roads; they warn of animals crossing, not of a legal speed change.

Military installations and federal areas post their own entry signs; a DBID or restricted-area sign means entry is controlled.

Hawaii's default speed limits and right-of-way rules follow state law; posted signs control where they exist, and the basic speed rule applies where they do not.

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend (or red/black on white for prohibitions); they state a law or requirement and noncompliance is a traffic violation.

Red circle with a slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited; the symbol alone on a white square means the action is required or permitted.

STOP requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding when safe; a rolling stop is not compliance.

YIELD (red and white triangle, point down) requires slowing and giving right-of-way to cross traffic; stop only if necessary.

Speed limit signs set the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions; posted limits are absolute unless a separate advisory plaque gives a lower recommended speed.

ONE WAY (black arrow on white) and DO NOT ENTER (red circle with white bar) control direction; DO NOT ENTER faces the wrong-way approach to a one-way street or ramp.

Lane-use control signs: a red X over a lane means the lane is closed to your direction; a green arrow means the lane is open.

Turning signs: NO LEFT TURN, NO U-TURN, and NO RIGHT TURN prohibit the movement at that intersection; mandatory turn signs use a black arrow on white.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD regulatory signs statewide; county variations in parking and beach-access restrictions appear on supplemental plaques.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legend (fluorescent yellow-green for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warnings); they alert to conditions ahead, not to a law.

Diamond shape alone signals a warning; a rectangular yellow plaque below a diamond adds distance or condition detail (for example, a distance plaque or a truck-rollover plaque).

Curve warnings: a yellow diamond with a curved arrow shows direction of the bend; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black text) gives the recommended safe speed, not a legal limit.

Winding road, reverse curve, and hairpin symbols differ: reverse curve shows an S-shape, winding road shows multiple bends, hairpin shows a sharp reversal.

Hill and grade signs: a percent grade plaque states steepness; steep grades require lower gears and, for heavy vehicles, escape ramp awareness.

Intersection warnings: a crossroad symbol shows a four-way intersection ahead; a side-road symbol shows a T or side entry; an added lane symbol shows a new lane joining.

Slippery when wet, deer crossing, falling rocks, and wind gust signs warn of hazards where normal speed may be too fast for conditions.

Two-way traffic and divided highway begins/ends signs mark transitions where the median or opposing traffic pattern changes.

Object markers and chevrons (black on yellow) mark curves and obstructions; chevrons supplement, and do not replace, the curve warning sign.

Guide signs are green with white lettering on conventional highways and freeways; they give destination, distance, route, and exit information rather than commands.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; Hawaii state routes use a numbered outline marker.

Exit signs on freeways show exit number, destination, and distance; advance guide signs appear well before the exit, and the exit-direction sign sits at the gore.

Blue signs indicate motorist services (gas, food, lodging, hospital, phone); brown signs indicate recreation, cultural, and scenic points of interest.

Mile markers are small green signs giving distance along the route; they are used for reporting locations in emergencies.

Object markers and delineators (white or yellow reflective posts) mark the roadway edge; they are guidance devices, not regulatory controls.

Hawaii route markers and county route names appear on guide signs; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island each use county road naming alongside state route numbers.

Airport, seaport, and visitor-destination signs often use symbols plus text; symbol-only signs follow the same meaning as their text equivalents.

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legend; they warn of construction, maintenance, or utility work and the conditions it creates.

Channelizing devices: orange cones, drums, and barricades define the travel path; a barricade with diagonal stripes means the road or lane is closed.

Flagger ahead sign (orange diamond with a flagger symbol) warns of a person controlling traffic; obey the flagger's signals over signs and signals.

A flagger's SLOW paddle means proceed with caution; the STOP paddle means stop and remain stopped until the flagger turns the paddle to SLOW.

Temporary traffic signals and lane-shift arrows (arrow boards) override normal lane assignments within the work zone.

Work zone speed limits are posted and enforceable; fines are commonly doubled for moving violations in active work zones when workers are present.

End road work sign (orange rectangle or diamond) marks the resumption of normal traffic conditions; do not resume full speed until past it.

Detour signs (orange or black on white with an arrow) route traffic around a closure; follow the detour markers rather than attempting to re-enter the closed section.

Pilot cars and one-lane, two-way operations require following the pilot vehicle and not passing within the controlled section.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.

A solid yellow line on your side of a broken yellow line means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; they may be crossed only to turn into or out of a driveway or to make a permitted left turn where legal.

White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes and may be crossed to change lanes; solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes near intersections and gore areas.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge, solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roadways.

Crosswalk markings are parallel white bars (ladder or transverse); a stop line is a solid white bar before the crosswalk where vehicles must stop.

Arrows, ONLY, and lane-use markings in white paint indicate required movements; a straight-only arrow means no turn from that lane.

Railroad pavement markings consist of a white X with the letters RR ahead of the tracks; they supplement the railroad advance warning sign.

Hawaii uses Botts' dots and raised pavement markers on some highways to supplement paint lines, especially in rain-prone areas.

Steady red: stop before the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until green; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.

Steady yellow: the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through the intersection with caution.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; green does not grant an unconditional right-of-way over pedestrians or cross traffic.

Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction; a red X or red arrow over a lane means that movement is prohibited.

Flashing red behaves as a STOP sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution after yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians.

Dark or non-functioning signals are treated as an all-way stop; a signal in flash mode follows the flashing color rules.

Left-turn signals: a solid green ball with a sign permitting left turn means yield to oncoming traffic; a green arrow means protected turn.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means pedestrians may cross; a raised hand or flashing hand means do not start crossing, and a steady hand means do not enter the crosswalk.

Hawaii right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless posted otherwise; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street where permitted.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a pentagon shape is used for school advance and school crossing signs.

School speed limit signs post a reduced limit that applies during posted hours or when children are present, as stated on the sign or plaque.

A school crossing sign with a walking-children symbol marks a crossing where children may be present; a crossing guard's signals must be obeyed.

Pedestrian crossing signs (fluorescent yellow-green diamond with a walking person) warn of a crosswalk ahead; in-street pedestrian signs may be placed in the roadway.

Crosswalk law: drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection; passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited.

School bus signals: flashing yellow means the bus is preparing to stop; flashing red and an extended stop arm mean traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median or barrier.

Hawaii law requires stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road in both directions; on a divided highway, only traffic behind the bus must stop when a physical barrier separates directions.

School zone fines and penalties are enhanced in Hawaii; speeding in a school zone carries higher penalties than the same speed in a normal zone.

Blind pedestrian and accessibility: white canes and guide dogs indicate a pedestrian who may need extra time; yield and do not honk.

Advance warning: a yellow diamond with a round black railroad symbol (or an X-shaped crossbuck) warns of tracks ahead; a distance plaque gives the spacing.

Crossbuck sign (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING in black) marks the crossing itself; it means yield to trains, and a train always has the right-of-way.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised.

A lowered gate means stop; never drive around or under a gate, even if no train is visible.

A crossing with no lights or gates may have a STOP sign or a YIELD plaque; if neither is present, slow, look, and listen before crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side before entering the crossing.

A stalled vehicle on the tracks: get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call 911 and give the crossing number from the blue sign if present.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a freight train at speed may need more than a mile to stop, so an approaching train's distance is not a reliable safety margin.

Hawaii has limited active rail; historic and tour railroad crossings still use crossbucks and flashing signals, and the same yielding rules apply.

Hawaii uses standard MUTCD signs; county-specific signs (parking, beach access, tsunami evacuation) appear as supplemental plaques or local postings.

Tsunami evacuation route signs (blue and white wave symbol with an arrow) mark routes to higher ground; they are guide signs, not regulatory controls.

Flash flood and high-surf warnings: signs near streams, gulches, and shorelines warn of sudden water; do not enter flooded roadways.

Trade wind and rain conditions: wet roads are common on windward slopes; reduce speed and increase following distance when signs warn of slippery pavement.

Narrow, winding coastal roads (such as the Road to Hana on Maui) carry curve, one-lane bridge, and falling rock warnings; one-lane bridges require yielding to oncoming traffic.

Volcanic and vog conditions on Hawaii Island can reduce visibility; signs warning of fog or ash require reduced speed and headlights.

Wildlife and feral animal signs (goats, pigs, chickens, and mongoose) appear on rural roads; they warn of animals crossing, not of a legal speed change.

Military installations and federal areas post their own entry signs; a DBID or restricted-area sign means entry is controlled.

Hawaii's default speed limits and right-of-way rules follow state law; posted signs control where they exist, and the basic speed rule applies where they do not.