KCC §16-17.23
Brake requirements for vehicles on Kauai roads
Read the official text at ecode360.com ↗This law says what brakes different vehicles need to drive on Kauai roads. Cars need two ways to brake, motorcycles need one, and heavy trailers need brakes that work with the towing vehicle. New vehicles must have brakes on all wheels, with some exceptions.
everyone
The ordinance, as written (Kauaʻi County) — Brake Equipment Required
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Kauaʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle, including two (2) separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two (2) wheels. If these two (2) separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two (2) wheels.Every motorcycle and bicycle with motor attached, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with at least one (1) brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.Every trailer or semi-trailer of a gross weight of three thousand (3,000) pounds or more when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle. The brakes shall be so designed as to be capable of being applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab. Further, the brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.Every new motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, except any motorcycle, sold or built in the County of Kaua'i and operated on the highways of the County of Kaua'i shall be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of every vehicle, and except that any motorcycle, semi-trailer of less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds gross weight, and any trailer designed and used exclusively for transporting a boat that is launched from the trailer directly into the water need not be equipped with brakes, provided that the gross weight of the towing or pulling vehicle shall not weigh less than eighty percent (80%) of the gross weight of the towed boat and trailer.In any combination of motor-drawn vehicles means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; or means shall be provided for applying braking effort first on the rearmost trailer wheels equipped with brakes; or both of the above means capable of being used alternatively, may be employed.One of the means of brake operation shall consist of a mechanical connection from the operating lever to the brake shoes or bands and this brake shall be capable of holding the vehicle, or combination of vehicles, stationary under any condition of loading or any up or down grade upon which it is operated.The brake shoes operating within or upon the drums on the vehicle wheels or any vehicle may be used for both service and hand operation.
The County of Kauaʻi publishes this code through eCode360 and states that it is provided for information only and should not be considered the official version of the Code.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.