Parking pitfalls every Hawaiʻi driver needs to know

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Have you ever come out to your parked car to find a ticket, or worse that your vehicle has been towed?

In Hawaiʻi, there are several parking violations that the average person might not be aware of; so, KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what are some of Hawaiʻi’s lesser-known parking violations that can land you in hot water.

Here are some common ones we found.

Parking on sidewalks : It is illegal to park on sidewalks, even partially. This includes parking with wheels on the sidewalk or driveway apron.

Blocking driveways : Parking in front of or obstructing a driveway is prohibited, even if it is your own driveway.

Parking too close to intersections : Vehicles must be parked at least 20 feet away from intersections to avoid obstructing the view of drivers and pedestrians.

Parking against traffic flow : You must park in the direction of traffic flow. Parking against the flow of traffic is considered a violation.

Parking in bike lanes : It is illegal to park in designated bike lanes. These lanes must be kept clear for cyclists.

Double parking : Parking alongside another vehicle that is already parked at the curb (double parking) is not allowed, even for short periods.

Parking on bridges : Parking on bridges or in tunnels is prohibited, except in emergencies.

Parking too close to fire hydrants : You must park at least 10 feet away from fire hydrants to ensure they are accessible in case of a fire.

Parking in crosswalks : Parking on or obstructing a crosswalk is illegal and can endanger pedestrians.

Parking in handicap spaces without a permit : It is illegal to park in designated handicap spaces without displaying the appropriate permit or placard.

Parking in l oading zones : These zones are reserved for loading and unloading goods and passengers. Parking in a loading zone for other purposes is a violation.

Parking in front of bus stops : It is prohibited to park in areas designated for bus stops to ensure buses can safely pick up and drop off passengers.

Exceeding time limits in time-limited zones : Many areas have time-limited parking zones and exceeding the posted time limit can result in a violation.

Parking on unpaved surfaces : Parking on unpaved surfaces or grassy areas is often prohibited, especially in residential neighborhoods.

Obstructing traffic : Parking in a manner that obstructs the normal flow of traffic, such as parking too far from the curb, is not allowed.

Parking in no parking zones : Always observe and adhere to no parking signs, which indicate areas where parking is prohibited.

Parking too close to railroad tracks : You must park at least 50 feet away from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

Parking on ramps : Parking on ramps, whether on highways or in parking structures, is usually prohibited.

Parking in fire lanes : Fire lanes must be kept clear at all times to allow emergency vehicles to access buildings quickly.

Using residential permits in non-designated areas : In areas where residential permits are required, using a permit in a non-designated area or with an expired permit is a violation.

Being aware of these common parking violations can help you avoid fines and contribute to safer and more orderly parking practices in Hawaiʻi.