Hire cars in Hawaii

[markmcalear]

Just got back from WDW after having rented a car in USA for my first time!!

Wondering about driving in Hawaii as I have Aulani booked at Xmas. Do they have the same rule as Florida does about turning right on a red light? I there anything a driver from UK should know before heading out there?

 

[juncker]

According to my AAA guide, Right Turn on Red is allowed in Hawaii.

 

[happymommy]

You'll definitely want a car on Oahu!

Traffic is bad during morning and afternoon rush hour to and from Honolulu - so get a good app on your phone to watch out for traffic.

PM me if you need any advice. We lived on Oahu for 3 years, and go back now almost every year (Ko Olina, right next to Aulani).

 

[Anal Annie]

I think right turn on red (after a full stop) is allowed in all 50 states - unless there is a sign at the light that says "No Right Turn On Red". We did see that at a light in Ka'anapali (on Maui). This is usually posted when it's not safe due to visibility or traffic volume. Sometimes where we live there may be 2 lanes turning right and the left-most one is not allowed to turn right on red, only the furthest lane to the right is allowed. There are signs stating this next to the lights. Also if there is a turning arrow on the light and it is red and not green then it is prohibited. I have read that right turns on red are usually not permitted in NYC.

I believe the same rules apply to U-turns - they are allowed pretty much everywhere unless there is a sign with a slash thru it which means they're not allowed.

 

[DenLo]

We got a rental car on Oahu for our trip to Aulani in 2012 and have another booked for our arrival in early October. we have found that the prices for the rental dramatically drop the month before. So once again we cancelled the old reservation we made months ago and booked a new one for the same vehicle type at the same rental company. It saved us around $200.

 

[disBOBney]

I believe the same rules apply to U-turns - they are allowed pretty much everywhere unless there is a sign with a slash thru it which means they're not allowed.

I wouldn't make U-Turns in Ohio, unless there is a specific sign permitting it. While a number of people point out that ORC doesn't seem to make it generally illegal, many if not most, local codes do. In any case if you don't want the hassle of getting a ticket or fighting it don't do it in Ohio. Generally you only see out-of-staters trying it in Ohio. Even right-on-red is a newer permission in Ohio and is not universal.

OP, I would ask the car rental agency for a local traffic laws guide, or at the very least ask the agent about a specific maneuver.

 

[markmcalear]

Thanks all.

Prices to hire cars to non US citizens are outrageous if booked directly. If I book through Virgin Holidays from UK its like half price!!

 

[igomezhnl]

Driving in Hawaii is actually easier than most U.S States. If you are staying at Aulani which is in the Koolina Area, it would be reccomended to get one since your approx 20+ Miles away from Downtown Honolulu. However just remember that Aulani charges approx $35 per day if you have a car.

*We do have the worst traffic in the nation, the reason is because 1/5 of Oahu share H1 Freeway, and theirs no backroads to Honolulu. To get to Honolulu you need to get on to the H1 Freeway. If you travel with a family, their is a zipper lane in the morning that allows you to use it if you are traveling to Waikiki. However not available if you are traveling towards Koolina.

TIP: Never use your horn, unless absolutley necessary. Beeping your horn in Hawaii can start a fight lol. Also Speedlimits are 20miles lower than most states.