Ticket Fines and Penalties in Hawaii

Hawaii Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Hawaii traffic ticket fines vary by violation, but because the fines are set by state legislation, they are they same throughout the state. That means you’ll pay the same for a specific ticket in county as you would in another county.

Most HI traffic tickets include the exact fine and any other costs you’re expected to pay if you plead guilty, or if you’re found guilty. If you can’t find your citation, our Lost Traffic Ticket section can help you retrieve missing traffic ticket information. You also can contact your TVB for details specific to your traffic ticket.

Court Costs and Other Surcharges

Generally, court costs are the same throughout the state, too. Note that court costs aren’t always necessary, and when they are, your judge makes you aware if them. For more information, contact your court.

DWI Surcharges

Similar to traffic ticket fines and other costs, fines related to DWI charges are the same throughout the state, too.

A first offense DWI carries penalties like jail time, license suspension, and community service.

After that:

• Second Conviction (within five years of the first): Expect to pay between $500-$1,500.
• Third Conviction (within five years of the first): Expect to pay between $500-$2,500.

NOTE: Because DWI charges are considered “traffic crimes” and not “traffic infractions,” many drivers traffic ticket lawyers to help them navigate the legal process―including dealing with all the other penalties associated with DWI.

Learn more about HI DWI charges, fines, and penalties in the Hawaii Driver’s Manual.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

Some drivers have to pay additional costs related traffic convictions, and these costs are in the form of higher auto insurance rates.

If you plead or are found guilty of a traffic violation, talk with your insurance provider about how the conviction might affect your current rates. Find out your rates are going up? Start shopping for lower rates online.

HI Traffic Ticket Penalties

Like fines and some other surcharges, traffic ticket penalties stay the same throughout the state.

Hawaii Point System

Hawaii doesn’t use a point system anymore, which means if you plead or are found guilty of a traffic violation, no points will show up on your driving record.

However, that doesn’t mean the violation isn’t recorded. Each conviction shows up on your driving abstract (or driving record), and Hawaii isn’t the only entity that has access to your past driving behavior: Potential employers and auto insurance providers can access it, too.

Check our section on Driving Records in Hawaii to learn more about your driving record and how you can obtain a copy.

HI Driver’s License Suspension, Revocation, and Cancellation

Drivers can lose their driving privileges to suspension or revocation for certain violations.

License Suspension: When a driver’s license is suspended, it means he can’t operate a motor vehicle for a certain (usually predetermined) amount of time. Generally, license suspensions span from 90 days to one year, but the judge or driver licensing agency will provide a time period specific to the situation. Once the time period is up, the driver can apply for license reinstatement.

License Revocation: Generally, in Hawaii “license revocation” means “permanent loss of driving privileges.” Some cases might have extenuating circumstances, but everything is up to the judge and driver licensing agency.

NOTE: When we refer to a provisional license being revoked (below), this isn’t a permanent loss.

For more throughout information about how you can lose your license to suspension or revocation, check the Hawaii Driver’s Manual or contact your local driver licensing office.

For now, understand that you can lose your driving privileges for:

• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Racing.
• Reckless driving.
• DWI-related offenses, regardless of the offense number.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 21

It’s illegal for a driver younger than 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02%; if he’s caught, he faces penalties similar to the penalties outlined for any DWI-related conviction.

If you’re younger than 18 and are convicted of a traffic violation while holding a provisional license, you face penalties such as a:

• Six-month revocation for the first offense.
• One-year revocation for the second offense.

Of course, provisional license holders face penalties for violating the conditions of their licenses, as well.

Check out the Hawaii Driver’s Manual for more details about drivers younger than 21 or 18.

Penalties for Hawaii Commercial Drivers

Like most states, Hawaii requires commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators to notify their employers within 30 days of receiving a traffic ticket, and their local motor vehicle licensing agency if the ticket was obtained in another jurisdiction.

Suspensions

Your CDL will be suspended for one year if you:

• Operate your CMV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Leave the scene of an accident in which you and your CMV were involved.
• Commit a felony with your CMV.

Note that if you:

• Commit any of these offenses while operating a CMV placarded for transporting hazardous materials, you’ll lose your CDL for three years for a first offense and life for a second offense.
• Commit a felony involving a controlled substance using your CMV, you’ll lose your CDL for life.

Second Offenses

Committing any of the above offenses a second time results in lifetime loss of CDL privileges.

Serious Traffic Offenses

Examples of serious traffic infractions for CMV operators in Hawaii include:

• Excessive speeding, which is driving 15 miles over the posted speed limit.
• Reckless or careless driving.
• Changing lanes erratically or improperly.
• Following another vehicle too closely.
• Any violation involving a fatal accident and your CMV.

If you commit:

• Two serious offenses in a three-year period, you can lose your CDL for 60 days.
• Three serious offenses in a three-year period, you can lose your CDL for 120 days.

Refer to Section One of the Hawaii Commercial Driver License Manual for more information about CDL holders and penalties.