Register Car in Hawaii

General Requirements

Registration Renewal

If you need to renew your registration, visit our Registration Renewals page.

First-Time Registration

If you’ve recently:

• Bought a used car

• Moved here from another state or from one county to another

• Become the new owner of a vehicle by other means (like inheritance)

You will need to register your car for the first time. If you’re having your car shipped from the mainland, you’ll need to register it within 30 days.

Non-operational Vehicles

If your car is no longer running and will be placed in storage (or if you will not be driving it for an extended period of time), you can file for non-operational status. You need to fill out an application for a license plate replacement form and check the correct box that applies to your vehicle. You then need to take that and your car registration to your county's motor vehicle office.

Overall Comments

Hawaii has different forms and slightly different rules and fees for each county, so what follows is a general guideline to car registration. Check with your county for specific information. Most counties have satellite city hall offices, which process car registrations and other transactions. These offer many locations and convenient hours.

Get Insurance

Before you can register your car, you’ll purchase Hawaiian car insurance. If you haven’t done so, you can get rates by shopping online.

Prepare the Paperwork

If you bought your car from a dealer, new or used, the dealer usually takes care of registration and titling paperwork for you (the fee’s included in the final price).

But when you import a car from out of state or buy from a private seller, you’ll need to transfer the title and register the car yourself.

General Registration

1. Fill out a registration application form. Hawaii County is the only county with the form online. If you live elsewhere, visit your satellite city hall office.
2. Make sure you have the right no-fault car insurance with a carrier licensed in Hawaii. Otherwise, you may not have your car inspected.
3. Find an authorized inspection center (usually a gas station, call your motor vehicle office) and have your car inspected. This only takes a few minutes. You will have to show them your original insurance card. The inspection center will issue a Hawaii Inspection Certificate for around $15 that you must take with you to register your car. There's an extra $5 fee for post-factory tinted windows.
4. Fees are determined at the office by the weight of the vehicle. Honolulu has an online calculator.
5. Get the vehicle weighed at a state weigh station or look for the weight in the owner’s manual; the registration fee is based off of this. Bring in proof of weight.
6. Take all the above and your title, if you have it, to a satellite city hall office.

NOTE: If your vehicle fails inspection, you must make necessary car repairs and then have it re-inspected.

Transferring from Out of State

1. Get adequate Car Insurance with an agency that is licensed to do business in Hawaii.
2. Have your shipping document (Bill of Lading), shipping receipt, and out-of-state registration card.
3. Find an authorized inspection center (available at many local gas/service stations) and have your car inspected. The Hawaii Inspection Certificate costs about $15. There's an extra $5 fee if you have after-market tinted windows. The station gives you a form to take to the satellite city hall office.
4. Fill out a registration application at your satellite city hall office.
5. Complete the out of state permit application form (available from your satellite city hall office).
6. Pay for new license plates.
7. Fill out a Motor Vehicle Use Tax Certification form. Taxes generally aren’t due if you’re moving to Hawaii with all of your stuff.
8. Bring the above items and your title to a satellite city hall office.
9. Hawaii honors your existing out-of-state registration. Therefore, your Hawaii registration will be pro-rated, and you won't have to pay the full fee until the registration expires again.
10. You will receive your new plates right then and there. Check with your old state to see if you need to turn in your old plates.
11. You will have to take another form back to the inspection station and get your inspection sticker, which is placed on your bumper. This shows the month your inspection is due again.

NOTE: If your vehicle fails inspection, you must make necessary car repairs and then have it re-inspected.

Transferring from Another County

1. Go to your new motor vehicle office or city hall office to get a registration application. Note your change of address.
2. Turn in your old registration card.
3. Show the title, if you have it.

If you lost your title, get another copy before you go in. You may also want to take in a Bill of Sale to prove that you purchased the vehicle.

Getting a Vehicle History Report before you buy a car is a smart move. The report will tell you important facts of the car’s history.

Calculate the Fees

Honolulu has a fee calculator to estimate your costs. Remember that other counties' fees may differ; contact your motor vehicle office to find out. New vehicles that are being registered for the first time will have higher fees than a used car.

Go to the DMV

To register your car, you’ll need to visit a satellite city hall office, which handles car registrations. You can call to ask if there are appointments available; however, these locations are usually not too busy and accept walk-ins.

License Plates

At the office, you’ll have the option of selecting new license plates. Hawaii has many specialized plates to choose from. You can also get them customized and select decals from dozens of organizations to add. Putting your plates into a matching frame makes them even more like you. Frames for everything from your favorite team to patriotism are available.

You will be issued plates at the office, unless you special-order personalized plates.

Affix Your Stickers

The motor vehicle office will give you your stickers when you register. Make sure your plates are clean so they will stick properly. Your inspection sticker (issued at the inspection station) goes on the bumper, which should be clean, too.

Get a Tax Deduction

You cannot get a registration tax deduction in Hawaii because registration fees are calculated on weight, not value. You may get a tax deduction for other reasons; consult a tax attorney for more information.

Safely Get on Your Way

Your car’s just passed a safety inspection, so mechanically, it should be pretty safe. But are you? Before you hit the road, make sure you have everything you need. Do you know what to do if there’s an emergency?

Consider getting a roadside assistance package for peace of mind. Even safe cars fail sometime down the road, so having a trusted mechanic to turn to if things go wrong is essential. Also check into after-market auto warranties to save money later on.

You’ll also want to do an accessory safety check. If you have a cell phone, invest in a handsfree headset so you can keep both hands on the wheel. Make sure your child car seat is current and properly installed. And make sure you stock your car with an emergency kit before you need one.

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