Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-25 (2026)

Lights for motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, motorized bicycles

✓ current as of July 2026

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§291-25 Lights for motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, motorized bicycles. (a) From thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise, every motor vehicle moving upon any public highway shall carry at the front thereof at least two lighted head lamps which shall display white lights of equal candle power. The head lamps shall be securely mounted, not less than twenty-two inches nor more than fifty-four inches above the road surface when measured to the head lamp center, on a rigid part of the vehicle designed specifically for head lamp installation by the manufacturer, and so arranged, adjusted, and constructed that, when the motor vehicle is fully loaded, any pair of headlights under the conditions of use shall produce a light sufficient to reveal any person, vehicle, or substantial object on the highway straight ahead of the motor vehicle for a distance of two hundred feet.

The light when measured at a distance of one hundred feet directly in front of the motor vehicle, and at a height of sixty inches above the level surface on which the motor vehicle stands, shall not exceed two thousand four hundred apparent candle power, nor shall this candle power be exceeded at a greater height than sixty inches.

When measured at a distance of one hundred feet ahead of the motor vehicle and seven feet or more to the left of the axis of the same, and at a height of sixty inches above the level surface on which the motor vehicle stands, the light shall not exceed eight hundred apparent candle power.

(b) During the time specified in subsection (a), every motorcycle, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle while moving on a public highway shall carry, at the front thereof, at least one lighted headlight which shall give a light of such power and so distributed as provided in subsection (a); provided that any motorcycle, motor scooter, or motorized bicycle with a side car or similar contrivance attached shall, in addition to the foregoing required light, carry on the side car or similar contrivance a lighted lamp visible from a point at least two hundred feet ahead of the vehicle. Any headlight required by this subsection shall display white light and shall be securely mounted, not less than twenty-four inches nor more than fifty-four inches above the road surface when measured to the headlight's center on a rigid part of the vehicle designed specifically for installation of a light by the manufacturer. [RL 1945, pt of §11707; am L 1953, c 260, §1; RL 1955, §311-7; HRS §291-25; am L 1985, c 105, §2; am L 2007, c 7, §2]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1988–2007 · leading case: State v. Domingues, 107 P.3d 409 (Haw. 2005).

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State v. Domingues, 107 P.3d 409 (Haw. 2005). · cites it 4× “4, see supra note 2; (2) driving without lights (Count II), in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1993); and (3) driving while license *412 suspended or revoked (Count III), in violation of HRS § 286-132 (Supp.”

State v. Mezurashi, 881 P.2d 1240 (Haw. 1994). · cites it 4× “Accordingly, we vacate the dismissal of Count I, DUI, in violation of HRS § 291-4(a)(1), and of Count III, driving without lights, in violation of HRS § 291-25 (1985) and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.”

State v. Kekuewa, 163 P.3d 1148 (Haw. 2007). · cites it 4× “; (2) driving without lights (Count II), in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1993); and (3) driving while license suspended or revoked (Count III), in violation of HRS § 286-132 (Supp.”

State v. DeMille, 763 P.2d 5 (Haw. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “3 Defendant was also found guilty of operating a vehicle either 30 minutes before sunrise or 30 minutes after sunset and failing to use headlights in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1985). This conviction was not appealed.”

State v. Rabusitz, 145 P.3d 861 (Haw. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “HRS § 291-25(a) (1993) reads, in relevant part: "From thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise, every motor vehi-ele moving upon any public highway shall carry at the front thereof at least two lighted head lamps which shall display white lights of equal…”

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-25(a) — 4 cases

State v. Domingues, 107 P.3d 409 (Haw. 2005). “4, see supra note 2; (2) driving without lights (Count II), in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1993); and (3) driving while license *412 suspended or revoked (Count III), in violation of HRS § 286-132 (Supp.”

State v. Kekuewa, 163 P.3d 1148 (Haw. 2007). “; (2) driving without lights (Count II), in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1993); and (3) driving while license suspended or revoked (Count III), in violation of HRS § 286-132 (Supp.”

State v. DeMille, 763 P.2d 5 (Haw. App. 1988). “3 Defendant was also found guilty of operating a vehicle either 30 minutes before sunrise or 30 minutes after sunset and failing to use headlights in violation of HRS § 291-25(a) (1985). This conviction was not appealed.”

State v. Rabusitz, 145 P.3d 861 (Haw. App. 2006). “HRS § 291-25(a) (1993) reads, in relevant part: "From thirty minutes after sunset until thirty minutes before sunrise, every motor vehi-ele moving upon any public highway shall carry at the front thereof at least two lighted head lamps which shall display white lights of equal…”

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