Teens: Licensing Requirements

Welcome to the real world!

We've all been there, waiting to get behind the wheel. Having your own set of keys. Freedom. It's exciting for teenagers, yet dreaded by the rest of adult society.
Here's the hard part. Listening to those older than you. It may sound harsh, but when adult family members tell a teenager to "grow up," they're not copping an attitude. They really want to see their young person reach adulthood. Living in Hawaii it's plain to see, the ohana, or family, is very important to the culture. One of the saddest things is losing a loved one, especially when it's a teenager who lost his or her life behind the wheel of a car.
Because of a high loss of life for new drivers, a law was enacted throughout the entire State of Hawaii to lessen the vehicular death rate for this age group. Effective January 9, 2006, Hawaii switched over to a three-step graduated licensing program to help teenagers under the age of 17 gain valuable experience and mature driving habits when operating a motor vehicle.
At this point, it's an appropriate time to moan and gripe a little, but get over it quick because statistics show teenagers, especially those who just secured their license, are not able to cope with the many road hazards presented while driving. A lack of maturity combined with putting the metal to the pedal can, and usually does, make any car or truck a lethal weapon in a crash.
So sit back, relax and read all the rules and regulations. Enjoy growing up and having an ohana of your own to take through this process!

Ready, set, go....maybe!

It's your season of learning to drive and operate a car or truck in a safe fashion. Snicker, snicker, jeer, jeer. That's what most of the teen population wants their parents or guardians to think. You drive safe when the elders are in the vehicle, but throw it into high gear and drive a little reckless and fast when showing off to friends.
Obtaining a license in the State of Hawaii is difficult for teenagers, but it's a good lesson because there are many occasions in life where a person needs to jump through hoops to get what they want, and this is no different.
Because of a teen's need for speed, there are three "slow-down" phases for all teenagers living in the State of Hawaii to complete in the new graduated licensing program.
The first step is the Instructional Permit Phase. A potential driver must be at least 15 years and 6 months to take this step. Once the permit is obtained, it must be carried with the driver at all times while driving a vehicle. From 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the teenager with an instructional permit must be seated next to a licensed person who is at least 21 years old. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., it is mandatory to sit next to a supervising parent or guardian while operating any vehicle.
The second step, known as the provisional license phase, takes place for teenagers, ages 16 to 18, who has successfully held an instructional permit for at least 180 days and passes a state certified driver's education course and road test. Once the provisional license is secured, it must be carried each and every time a vehicle is driven. This isn't a time to show-off, because driving, from here on out, is a big responsibility. Teen drivers are required to make sure passengers are wearing their seatbelts at all time and that children under four years of age are properly secure in a child safety seat.
This is not the time to take friends for a joy ride. Only one person below the age of 18 is allowed to accompany a provisional license holder, unless of course they are accompanied by the licensee's parent(s) or legal guardians.
There are also night time driving restrictions where a provisional licensed driver cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The only exception is for a teen driver who is traveling to or from their place of employment. This is not a free pass, however, because the provisional license holder must carry a signed document that gives the employer's name, address, telephone number and verification of employment and work hours. The same is true for after-school activities, but everyone knows it's a very rare occasion in Hawaii when a child is asked to stay out past 11 p.m.
The third and final step is a full driver's license. It's important to mind all p's and q's in the first two phases in order to reach this final stage. Any infractions of the rules or pending violations up until this point can spell disaster. There are penalties attached to those who think they can defeat the law. The first conviction will result in the provisional license being suspended or revoked for six months. The second conviction extends that to one year.
There is hope, however, for those drivers over the age of 17, who have successfully held their provisional license for at least six months. They are eligible to upgrade to a full license at this time.
All this to say, be patient and good luck as you drive down the road to adulthood!