How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Hawaii From Out of State

Bringing a vehicle into Hawaii from another state requires registration through your county's motor vehicle division, with various fees collected at both the state and county levels. New residents and those relocating vehicles to the islands must understand the complete fee structure administered by local county motor vehicle offices throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Certificate of Title Transfer Fee

Transferring ownership through a certificate of title requires payment of a title transfer fee when registering a vehicle brought from another state. The certificate of title transfer fee is $10 in Honolulu County. Similar fees apply in other counties: Maui County assesses a $20 transfer fee, Hawaii County charges $5, and Kauai County requires $10 for title transfer transactions.

Out-of-State Permit Fee

Before completing full registration, vehicles arriving from other states must obtain an out-of-state permit to operate legally while gathering required documentation. The out-of-state permit fee is uniformly $5 across all Hawaiian counties. This temporary permit allows vehicle owners time to complete safety inspections and compile necessary paperwork for permanent registration.

Motor Vehicle Use Tax

Hawaii imposes a motor vehicle use tax on vehicles purchased outside the state and subsequently imported. The use tax rate is 4% for vehicles registered in Maui County, while vehicles registered in Honolulu, Hawaii County, and Kauai County are subject to a 4.5% rate. The tax applies to either the vehicle's purchase price or landed value, whichever amount is greater.

Vehicle owners may claim credit for sales or use taxes paid to another state, territory, or U.S. possession against the Hawaii use tax liability. The use tax must be certified through completion of Form G-27, Motor Vehicle Use Tax Certification, and submitted to the county motor vehicle registration office when registering the vehicle.

State Registration Fee

All motor vehicles registered in Hawaii are subject to an annual state registration fee of $46 per vehicle, as established under Chapter 249 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This uniform state fee applies regardless of vehicle type, weight, or county of registration and must be paid annually at the time of registration renewal.

County Registration Fee

County governments assess an annual registration fee that varies by jurisdiction. Based on data from the City and County of Honolulu fee schedule, the county registration fee is $20 in Honolulu County. Similar county-level fees apply throughout the state, with each county establishing its own rate to fund local transportation infrastructure and administrative costs.

State Vehicle Weight Tax

Hawaii levies an annual state vehicle weight tax calculated according to the net weight of each registered vehicle. The tax rates, established under §249-33 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, increase progressively with vehicle weight:

County Vehicle Weight Tax

In addition to the state weight tax, each county imposes its own vehicle weight tax with rates varying by jurisdiction. County weight taxes are calculated per pound based on vehicle net weight and collected together with state fees during annual registration. Specific county rates differ among Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties, with each county director of finance establishing rates through local ordinance.

Highway Beautification Fee

A highway beautification fee of $7 applies annually to vehicle registrations statewide. This fee supports highway maintenance and environmental enhancement programs throughout Hawaii's roadway system.

Registration Emblem Fee

An emblem fee of $0.50 is charged for the issuance of registration emblems affixed to license plates. This nominal fee covers the cost of producing and distributing registration validation stickers.

Electric Vehicle Road Usage Charge

Electric vehicles registered in Hawaii are subject to an annual road usage charge that began on July 1, 2025. According to the Hawaii Road Usage Charge program, electric vehicle owners may choose between paying a flat $50 annual fee or a per-mile charge of $8 per 1,000 miles, capped at $50 annually. This charge applies to model year 2023 and later electric vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less, replacing the previous $50 annual surcharge structure.

Vehicle Registration Offices

Vehicle title and registration services are administered by motor vehicle divisions in each of Hawaii's four counties. The following offices process out-of-state vehicle registrations:

Hawaii Motor Vehicle Services
Honolulu Department of Customer Services serves O'ahu
Kapalama Hale, 925 Dillingham Blvd. #257, Honolulu, HI 96817
Website

Hawaii Motor Vehicle Registration
101 Pauahi St., Suite 5, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8351
Website

County of Maui
110 Alaihi Street, Suite 101, Kahului, HI 96732
Phone: (808) 270-7363
Website

County of Kauaʻi
Department of Finance
Division of Motor Vehicles
4444 Rice Street, Suite A480, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Phone: 808-241-4242
Fax: 808-241-6533
Website