Laws by state / Hawaii
Hawaii
What Hawaii's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: No class system. A "bicycle" includes a "low-speed electric bicycle" as defined in federal law (15 U.S.C. § 2085: working pedals, motor under 750 W, top speed under 20 mph on motor power alone).
Road
Allowed
Treated as a bicycle; ride near the right edge or shoulder when slower than traffic.
Bike lane
Allowed
Bicycles may use bike lanes and paths.
Sidewalk
Allowed with limits
Bicycles may ride on sidewalks at 10 mph or less, yielding to pedestrians, unless otherwise prohibited. Not allowed on sidewalks in business districts.
Paths and trails
Allowed
Bicycles may use bicycle paths.
- Helmet
- Required for riders under 16 (bicycle helmet law).
- Minimum age
- 15
- Speed limit or cap
- Under 20 mph on motor power alone (federal definition).
- Motor power cap
- Under 750 W (federal definition).
- License, registration, insurance
- No driver's license. Registration required with a one-time fee.
- Also worth knowing
- Hawaii's statute references the federal consumer-product definition rather than the Class 1/2/3 system.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: HRS § 291C-1; HRS § 291C-143.5; HRS § 291C-145; HRS § 291C-148; HRS § 291C-150; HRS § 249-14
- HRS § 291C-1 (Definitions)
- HRS § 291C-143.5 (Low-speed electric bicycles; operator age)
- HRS § 291C-148 (Driving upon sidewalk)
- HRS § 291C-150 (Bicycle helmets)
- HRS § 249-14 (Bicycle registration fee)
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Electric foot scooter": under 75 lb, two or three wheels, handlebars, a floorboard to stand on (or a seat and footrests), electric or human power, top speed 15 mph or less on level pavement. Not a moped.
Road
Local rules decide
Riders have the rights and duties of vehicle drivers on roadways. Counties must regulate where scooters may operate.
Bike lane
Allowed
Electric foot scooters may use bike lanes and bike paths.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Counties must regulate scooter use on sidewalks by ordinance.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Counties regulate use on bikeways and bicycle paths.
- Helmet
- Required for riders under 16.
- Minimum age
- 15
- Speed limit or cap
- 15 mph
- Motor power cap
- None in statute.
- License, registration, insurance
- No driver's license in statute. Registration required with a one-time fee. Counties may set insurance requirements.
- Also worth knowing
- No passengers. Lights required at night. County rules may not be less strict than the state's. Rental companies must provide helmets to riders under 16 and give renters the county rules. Scooters may only be stored or docked at county-approved locations.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: HRS § 291C-1; HRS § 291C-123; HRS § 291C-139; HRS § 249-35
- HRS § 291C-139 (Electric foot scooters)
- HRS § 291C-1 (Definitions)
- HRS § 291C-123 (Bikeway use)
- HRS § 249-35 (Electric foot scooter registration)
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Hawaii statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. Since 2025, riders under 18 must wear a helmet on a "skateboard" (a short board on wheels that a person stands on) on streets, bikeways and public property. The definition does not mention motors, so whether it covers electric skateboards is not settled.
Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Hawaii statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. EPAMD covers only two-wheel self-balancing devices limited to 12.5 mph, so electric unicycles are not covered.