How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Hawaii in 2025
Vehicle registration costs in Hawaii consist of state registration fees, county registration fees, weight taxes, and various processing fees. The total cost varies significantly by vehicle weight, type, and county of registration, making Hawaii one of the more expensive states for vehicle registration.
Base Registration Fees
Hawaii vehicle registration fees are established at both state and county levels, with annual registration required for all vehicles.
Standard State Registration Fees (Annual)
| Vehicle Type | State Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles, trucks, vans | $46 |
| All vehicle types | $46 |
County Registration Fees (Annual)
All Hawaii counties charge a standard county registration fee:
| County | County Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| City and County of Honolulu | $20 |
| Hawaii County | $20 |
| Maui County | $20 |
| Kauai County | $20 |
Additional State Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Highway beautification fee | $7.00 |
| Annual emblem fee | $0.50 |
| Initial plate fee (new registrations only) | $5.00 |
Local County Weight Taxes
Hawaii's most significant vehicle registration cost component is the weight tax, which varies by county and is calculated based on the vehicle's net weight. Each county sets its own weight tax rates.
City and County of Honolulu Weight Tax Rates
| Vehicle Weight | Passenger Rate | Commercial Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4,000 lbs | 7.0¢ per pound | 7.0¢ per pound |
| 4,001-6,500 lbs | 7.0¢ per pound | 7.0¢ per pound |
| Over 6,500 lbs | 7.0¢ per pound | 7.0¢ per pound |
Hawaii County Weight Tax Rates
| Vehicle Type | Rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles | 1.25¢ per pound | $12 |
| Commercial vehicles | 2.5¢ per pound | $12 |
Maui County Weight Tax Rates
| Vehicle Type | Weight Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars, trucks ≤6,500 lbs | All weights | 1.5¢ per pound |
| Commercial vehicles | All weights | 2.5¢ per pound |
Kauai County Weight Tax Rates
| Vehicle Type | Rate | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles | 2.0¢ per pound | $12 |
| Commercial vehicles | 3.0¢ per pound | $12 |
State Weight Tax
Hawaii also imposes a state weight tax in addition to county weight taxes, as established under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 249:
State Weight Tax Rates
| Vehicle Weight | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 4,000 lbs | 1.75¢ per pound |
| 4,001-7,000 lbs | 2.0¢ per pound |
| 7,001-10,000 lbs | 2.25¢ per pound |
| Over 10,000 lbs | 2.5¢ per pound |
Mandatory Processing Fees
Hawaii imposes several mandatory fees for vehicle registration and title services, as detailed in the Honolulu fee table:
Title and Transfer Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Motor vehicle ownership title transfer | $10 |
| Late transfer penalty (after 30 days) | $50 |
| Duplicate title | $10 |
| Motor vehicle plate transfer fee | $5 |
Registration Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Duplicate registration certificate | Free |
| Motor vehicle emblem replacement | $0.50 |
| Motor vehicle plate replacement | $5 |
Specialty and Personalized Plates
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Personalized plates (initial application) | $60 |
| Personalized plates (annual renewal) | $60 |
| Specialty and organization plates (initial) | $35.50 |
| Specialty plates (annual renewal) | $25 |
Penalty Fees
| Vehicle Type | Annual Penalty for Late Registration |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles | $16 ($8 county + $8 state) |
| Commercial vehicles | $40 ($20 county + $20 state) |
Special Requirements by Region
Vehicle Safety Inspection Requirements
All vehicles in Hawaii must pass an annual safety inspection before registration renewal. Safety inspection requirements include:
- Brakes and brake lights
- Horn and turn signals
- Headlights and taillights
- Windshield wipers
- Steering and suspension
- Tires and wheels
- Exhaust system
Hawaii does not require emissions testing for vehicle registration in any county.
Electric Vehicle Road Usage Charge (HiRUC)
Beginning July 1, 2025, Hawaii implements the Hawaii Road Usage Charge (HiRUC) program for electric vehicles:
Electric Vehicle Options (effective July 1, 2025)
| Payment Option | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Per-mile charge | $8 per 1,000 miles | Capped at $50 annually |
| Flat annual fee | $50 | Fixed rate regardless of mileage |
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Options (effective July 1, 2025)
| Payment Option | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Per-mile charge | $5.30 per 1,000 miles | Plus administrative fee |
| Traditional registration | Standard weight taxes | Current system continues |
Military Personnel Exemptions
Hawaii provides weight tax exemptions for military personnel:
- Non-resident active duty: Complete exemption from all motor vehicle weight taxes
- Hawaii resident military: Exemption from motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name
Required forms: CS-L (MVR) 50 for non-residents, CS-L (MVR) 50A for Hawaii residents.
Summary Cost Tables
Typical Passenger Vehicle Registration Costs (Annual)
Example: 3,320-pound passenger vehicle in different counties
| County | State Fees | County Fees | State Weight Tax | County Weight Tax | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $53.50 | $20.50 | $58.10 | $232.40 | $364.50 |
| Hawaii County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $58.10 | $41.50 | $173.60 |
| Maui County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $58.10 | $49.80 | $181.90 |
| Kauai County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $58.10 | $66.40 | $198.50 |
State fees include: $46 registration + $7 highway beautification + $0.50 emblem County fees include: $20 registration + $0.50 emblem
Commercial Vehicle Examples
Example: 5,000-pound commercial vehicle
| County | State Fees | County Fees | State Weight Tax | County Weight Tax | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $53.50 | $20.50 | $87.50 | $350.00 | $511.50 |
| Hawaii County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $87.50 | $125.00 | $286.50 |
| Maui County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $87.50 | $125.00 | $286.50 |
| Kauai County | $53.50 | $20.50 | $87.50 | $150.00 | $311.50 |
New Vehicle Registration Costs
| Component | First-Time Registration | Annual Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| State registration fee | $46 | $46 |
| County registration fee | $20 | $20 |
| Highway beautification fee | $7 | $7 |
| Emblem fee | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| Initial plate fee | $5 | - |
| Weight taxes | Varies by weight/county | Varies by weight/county |
| Title transfer (if applicable) | $10 | - |
Electric Vehicle Costs (Starting July 1, 2025)
| Vehicle Type | Standard Registration | HiRUC Option 1 | HiRUC Option 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery electric | Standard fees + weight tax | Standard fees + $8/1,000 miles (max $50) | Standard fees + $50 flat fee |
| Plug-in hybrid | Standard fees + weight tax | Standard fees + $5.30/1,000 miles + admin fee | Standard fees + weight tax |
Note: These examples exclude safety inspection fees, which vary by inspection station, and any applicable military exemptions or specialty plate fees.
For current registration cost calculations specific to your vehicle and county, use the official fee calculators:
- City and County of Honolulu
- Contact other counties directly through their respective motor vehicle departments:
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
The remaining Hawaii counties calculate costs using their respective weight tax rates and standard state fees as outlined above.
