Car Registration Requirements for New Hawaii Residents
Hawaii operates a county-based vehicle registration system where each county government manages motor vehicle services independently. New residents bringing vehicles from other states must complete registration procedures through their county's motor vehicle office while meeting state-mandated insurance and safety inspection standards.
Timeline for New Hawaii Residents
New residents must register vehicles within 30 days after taking possession of a motor vehicle brought from another state. This timeframe begins when an individual establishes residency and assumes ownership of an out-of-state registered vehicle.
Failure to register within the required period may result in penalties and the inability to legally operate the vehicle on Hawaii roads. All vehicles operating in Hawaii must display valid registration certificates and current safety inspection certification.
Establishing Hawaii Residency
Hawaii law defines residency for vehicle registration through physical presence and intent to remain in the state. An individual establishes residency when they maintain a principal place of residence in Hawaii and demonstrate permanent settlement through employment, property ownership, or other connections to the state.
Required Documentation for Car Registration in Hawaii
New residents transferring out-of-state vehicles to Hawaii registration must submit documentation proving ownership, identity, insurance compliance, and safety certification to their county motor vehicle office:
Essential Documents by County
City and County of Honolulu (Oahu)
- Completed Application for Registration (Form CS-L(MVR)1) signed by all registered owners
- Original out-of-state certificate of registration (current and valid)
- Original out-of-state certificate of title (if no lienholder); or Conditional Letter of Acceptance (if lienholder indicated)
- Valid Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate (temporary certificate with only "Registration" defect acceptable)
- Bill of lading or shipping receipt showing vehicle arrival date in Hawaii
- State of Hawaii Form G-27 (for current, previous, or subsequent year model vehicles) stamped by the Department of Taxation
- Proof of Hawaii no-fault motor vehicle insurance
- Valid Hawaii driver's license or state identification card
- Weight slip (required for 2016 and newer vehicle models if manufacturer's weight not available)
County of Hawaii (Big Island)
- Completed and signed Application for Registration form
- Last issued out-of-state certificate of registration (cannot be laminated or photocopied)
- Last issued out-of-state certificate of title if you are listed as the lienholder (cannot be laminated or photocopied)
- Bill of lading or shipping receipt showing the date the vehicle arrived in Hawaii County
- Current Hawaii certificate of safety inspection (temporary safety inspection failed for "Registration" is acceptable)
- State of Hawaii Form G-27 (for previous, current, or subsequent year model vehicles) with required attachments from Department of Taxation (call 808-974-6321 with questions)
- Weight slip from state-certified scale (required for 2016 and newer vehicle models if manufacturer's weight not available)
County of Maui
- Completed and signed Application for Registration Form (DMVL573) — all owners must sign if registered in multiple names
- Last issued out-of-state Certificate of Registration
- Out-of-state Certificate of Title (if no lien holder); or Conditional Letter of Acceptance (DMVL578) if lien holder indicated
- State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate obtained upon vehicle arrival (temporary certificate acceptable with all defects corrected except "Registration")
- Bill of lading or shipping receipt showing the date the vehicle arrived on Maui
- State of Hawaii Form G-27 (for current, previous, and subsequent year model vehicles) stamped by the Department of Taxation at 54 South High Street #208, Wailuku, HI 96793 or call (808) 984-8500
- Hawaii Motor Vehicle Insurance Identification card
- Weight slip from state-certified scale (if manufacturer's weight not available)
County of Kauai
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (DFL-1) (PDF form) — all owners must sign if multiple names
- Last issued out-of-state Certificate of Registration
- Out-of-county Certificate of Title (if no lien holder); or Conditional Letter of Acceptance (PDF) if lien holder indicated
- Bill of lading, shipping receipt, or Vehicle Arrival Certification (PDF) showing vehicle arrival date on Kauai
- State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate obtained upon arrival (temporary certificate acceptable with all defects corrected except "Registration")
- State of Hawaii Form G-27 with required attachments, stamped by State Tax Kauai Office (call 808-274-3456)
- Hawaii Motor Vehicle Insurance Identification card
- Weight slip from state-certified scale (if manufacturer's weight not available)
Insurance Requirements
Hawaii law mandates no-fault motor vehicle insurance that includes the following minimum coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 per person
- Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per occurrence
Insurance must remain active throughout the motor vehicle registration period. Operators must carry a valid Hawaii motor vehicle insurance identification card in the vehicle at all times.
Application Submission Methods
New residents submit registration applications in person at county motor vehicle offices. Hawaii maintains separate county-based systems:
- City and County of Honolulu (Oahu): Satellite city halls process motor vehicle transactions
- County of Hawaii: County Finance Department vehicle registration offices
- County of Maui: County motor vehicle registration division locations
- County of Kauai: County vehicle registration and licensing offices
Applications cannot be processed online for initial out-of-state vehicle transfers.
Hawaii Vehicle Inspection Requirements
Safety Inspections
All motor vehicles registered in Hawaii must obtain and maintain valid safety inspection certificates. Hawaii requires annual safety inspections conducted by licensed inspection stations authorized by the state Department of Transportation.
Inspection stations issue certificates valid for one year from the inspection date. Vehicles must display current inspection decals.
The inspection fee is $25.75 for automobiles and trucks, and $17.75 for motorcycles and trailers, effective July 1, 2025.
Hawaii does not require emissions testing for passenger vehicles
Registration Fees and Taxes
Vehicle registration fees in Hawaii vary by county, as each county sets its own fee structure. All four counties collect both state and county fees, but the amounts differ based on your vehicle's weight and location.
Fee Components
Your total registration cost includes:
- State Registration Fee: $46 (uniform across all counties)
- County Registration Fee: $20 (uniform across all counties)
- State Weight Tax: $1.75 per 100 pounds of vehicle weight (e.g., a 3,500-pound vehicle pays $61.25)
- County Weight Tax: Varies significantly by county (see below)
- Beautification Fee: $1.00 (City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County); $0.50 (Kauai County)
- Emblem Fee: $0.05 (all counties)
County Weight Tax Rates
The county weight tax is the largest variable component and differs substantially across counties:
- City and County of Honolulu: $0.035 per pound
- Hawaii County: $0.020 per pound
- Maui County: $0.020 per pound
- Kauai County: $0.025 per pound
Example: For a passenger vehicle weighing 3,500 pounds:
- Honolulu: County weight tax = $122.50
- Hawaii County: County weight tax = $70.00
- Maui County: County weight tax = $70.00
- Kauai County: County weight tax = $87.50
Fee Schedules by County
Each county maintains its own fee schedule and calculation methods:
- City and County of Honolulu: Offers a comprehensive online fee calculator and table that shows exact costs based on vehicle weight and type
- Hawaii County: Contact the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division at (808) 961-8351 for current fee information
- Maui County: Visit Maui County's motor vehicle registration page or call (808) 270-7363
- Kauai County: Contact the Division of Motor Vehicles at (808) 241-4256 for fee details
Contact Information
Hawaii Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Safety Office
869 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 587-2160
Official Website: Hawaii Department of Transportation
County Motor Vehicle Offices
City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services
1000 Uluohia Street, Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 768-4386
Official Website: Department of Customer Services
Hawaii County Vehicle Registration & Licensing
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 961-8351
Official Website: Hawaii County VRL
Maui County Department of Finance
200 South High Street, Wailuku, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 270-7363
Official Website: Maui County
Kauai County Department of Finance
4444 Rice Street, Suite 454, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4242
Official Website: Kauai County
