Motor Vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Directory
Registration
How do I update my motor vehicle registration address?
- Complete a Notice of Change of Address (form CS-L (MVR) 82) within 30 days of your move.
- Return completed and signed form (CS-L (MVR) 82):
- By Email: MVINFO@honolulu.gov
- By Mail: Motor Vehicle Registration Section, P.O. Box 30330, Honolulu, HI 96820-0330
- In-Person: Drop off at any satellite city hall location.
3. Update your address on your Hawaii Driver’s License.
Upon receipt of your completed form, your vehicle registration record will be updated with your new address. You will need to update your address for your driver’s license separately. For more information on updating your driver’s license, click here.
Update your address prior to renewing your motor vehicle registration to ensure the new motor vehicle registration certificate is mailed to the correct address.
Why didn’t I receive my registration renewal notice?
The registration renewal notice is a courtesy reminder and is mailed out 45 days prior to the expiration of the registration and is not needed to renew your registration. You may complete your renewal online, by mail, at a DMV Now Kiosk, or in person at any satellite city hall location within the 45-day window.
Please note that registered owners are still responsible for renewing a vehicle registration prior to the registration expiration date whether or not a courtesy renewal reminder is received via USPS.
It is recommended that updates to your address be made within 30 days of the change to ensure your motor vehicle registration notice or certificate is mailed to the correct address.
I renewed my motor vehicle registration before updating my address, will I get my registration certificate and emblem?
If you renewed your motor vehicle registration prior to updating your address, your new registration will be mailed to the previous address on file. The registration certificate and the emblem mailed to the owner is forwardable by USPS. Therefore, if you set up mail forwarding through USPS, your registration certificate and emblem will be forwarded to the new address.
If you did not apply for mail forwarding with USPS, visit any satellite city hall location to update your address and obtain a duplicate motor vehicle registration certificate. There is no cost to obtain a duplicate motor vehicle registration certificate, however a $0.50 (50 cents) fee will be applied for a new emblem (sticker).
For more information on renewing your motor vehicle registration, click here.
Why is the online vehicle registration renewal system not processing my renewal?
There may be supplemental forms required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, CS-L (MVR) 50 or 50A, etc.) that you need to submit to complete the registration process. Visit a satellite city hall location to complete your registration renewal.
The online vehicle registration renewal system timed out before I received confirmation of payment. How can I confirm my registration renewal was processed properly?
Email the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch to confirm the status of your registration payment.
Email: MVINFO@honolulu.gov
My registration is expired. How can I renew it?
You can renew your registration at a DMV Now Kiosk, using the Online Vehicle Registration Renewal System, in person at a Satellite City Hall, or by mail.
At a DMV Now Kiosk (available only up to 10 months after registration has expired)
Use one of the Hawaii DMV Now Kiosks located inside certain Safeway and Foodland stores to quickly and securely renew your vehicle registration. Use of a kiosk requires that your address is current and no supplemental documents are required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, CS-L (MV) 50 or 50A, etc.). After completing your renewal transaction, the kiosk will immediately print out your new registration certificate and emblem.
The DMV Now Kiosks accepts only credit and debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, or Discover). A 2.5 % credit/debit card service fee and $4 remote transaction fee are applied to each transaction.
Online Vehicle Registration Renewal System (available only up to 10 months after registration has expired.)
To renew online, your City and County of Honolulu address must be current and no supplemental documents are required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, CS-L (MV) 50 or 50A, etc.).
Only credit and debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, or Discover) are accepted for online registration renewal payment. A 2.35% credit/debit card service fee will be applied by financial institutions when renewing online.
The new registration certificate and emblem will be mailed within 10 working days.
In person
Visit a satellite city hall location. See a representative at an express window to renew your registration. Accepted forms payment for in-person transactions:
- Cash
- Check (drawn on U.S. funds), money order, traveler’s check, or cashier’s check. A $25.00 service fee is applied for returned checks.
- Credit or debit card (VISA, MasterCard, or Discover). A 2.35% credit/debit card service fee will be applied.
By Mail
Mail your check or money order made payable to: City and County of Honolulu to:
Department of Customer Services
Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits
P.O. Box 30320
Honolulu, HI 96820-0320
Is the buyer or seller responsible for the motor vehicle registration back taxes?
The matter is between the buyer and seller to resolve the back taxes during the title transfer process. Title transfer transactions may only be completed once the vehicle is current on both motor vehicle registration and safety inspection.
If the buyer is unable to locate the seller to resolve the back registration and safety inspection, the buyer may file an appeal with the Oahu First Circuit District Court to complete the title transfer process. For information on the First Circuit District Court Notice of Appeal process, click here.
Can someone other than the registered owner renew the annual registration certificate?
Anyone may renew a vehicle registration on behalf of an owner. The individual must provide the current valid registration certificate or the registration renewal notice at the time of renewal.
Military Service Members
Vehicles with a motor vehicle registration weight-tax waiver for military service members may only be renewed by the military member in person, or by an individual authorized to do so with a Power of Attorney issued through the commanding officer or JAG, as well as the required exemption documents. For more information on military service member registration vehicle weight-tax waiver, click here.
How do I remove the military registration exemption from my vehicle if I am no longer qualified?
Military members are no longer exempt from Hawaii’s motor vehicle weight tax if any of the following status apply:
- No longer active duty
- Claim residency in Hawaii
- Note: Active-duty service members including National Guard and Reserve, who change their residency to Hawaii are exempt from motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name. Service members must submit properly completed Hawaii Resident Certificate, Form CS-L(MVR)50A (blue form) which is available from your military personnel office or your military unit.
- Stationed elsewhere but Hawaii, and their vehicle remains in Hawaii.
To remove a military exemption and avoid a penalty, re-register your vehicle within 30 days of the effective date of your change in status at a satellite city hall location. Examples of the appropriate forms to bring that indicate your change of status are DD-214, DD-2058, PCS orders, Divorce Decree, Court Order, etc.
How do I remove the military registration exemption from a vehicle I bought from an active military service member, and how much will it cost to bring the registration back up to date?
If the buyer does not qualify for the military registration exemption, they are required to pay the difference in registration fees for the remaining amount of the registration period during the transfer process. The cost of the registration fee vary by vehicle.
For more information on how to transfer a title, click here.
Why am I still receiving the registration renewal notice or tickets on a vehicle I recently sold?
The buyer of the vehicle may not have successfully completed their part in transferring the vehicle to their name. You may contact the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch by emailing MVINFO@honolulu.gov to confirm your notice of transfer was received and noted on the vehicle’s record.
It is highly recommended that the buyer and seller go together in person to transfer the vehicle title and registration (buyer) and submit notice of transfer (seller). This will ensure any discrepancies with the vehicle documents can be identified, and the seller can be confident that the ownership transfer is legally finalized.
Why am I still receiving the registration renewal notice on a vehicle I’ve already shipped and registered in another state?
You may notify the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch that the vehicle is located and registered in another jurisdiction by emailing MVINFO@honolulu.gov.
Why am I still receiving the registration renewal notice on a leased vehicle I’ve already returned?
Please check with the dealership to ensure they have notified the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch of the change. You may also contact the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch by emailing MVINFO@honolulu.gov.
Can I keep my Hawaii vehicle registration and plates on a vehicle that will be shipped to another state?
Each state varies on its laws about out-of-state registrations. It is encouraged that you contact the respective state’s DMV to inquire about their registration requirements and timeline for out of state vehicles.
Provided the jurisdiction allows for out-of-state registration, you may maintain the Hawaii vehicle registration and plates using your Honolulu address under qualifying “temporary” statuses:
- College student with intent to return to Hawaii
- Temporary job assignment
- Relocation and seeking permanent housing
Complete the CS-L(MVR)64 form during the vehicle renewal period and submit in lieu of the Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate while the vehicle is located out-of-state. The renewed Hawaii motor vehicle registration certificate and emblem sticker will be sent to the vehicle’s out-of-state location and must be maintained in the vehicle.
For more information, contact the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch by emailing MVINFO@honolulu.gov.
How can I request for a refund on remaining balance on the registration of a vehicle I’ve shipped and registered in another state, or for a vehicle that was totaled and no longer in my possession?
Registration fees may only be refunded for the vehicle registration renewal period.
To inquire if you are eligible, email the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch and submit a request for refund.
Email: MVINFO@honolulu.gov
Title
How do I transfer a title or add/remove a name from a title or motor vehicle registration?
Adding or removing a name on a motor vehicle title is the same process as a buyer and seller, whereas the existing registered owner(s) of the vehicle are considered the seller, and the new owner(s) of the vehicle are considered the buyer.
For more information on the title transfer process, click here.
How do I notify the motor vehicle office that I’ve donated my vehicle to a private organization or business?
To notify the motor vehicle office that you have donated a vehicle, submit the Notice of Transfer, found on the Certificate of Title, within 10 days of the date of transfer to the county where the vehicle was last registered. The vehicle must have current registration in order to complete a title transfer.
The organization/business is then responsible to provide the Certificate of Title properly endorsed by the registered owner within 30 days of the date of transfer to a satellite city hall to transfer the vehicle title and registration.
For complete information about transferring a motor vehicle title and submitting a notice of transfer, click here.
If the vehicle is no longer in working condition, registered owners may choose to junk their vehicle through the City and County of Honolulu’s Junk Vehicle Program. This is a free program for residents that waives all back registration and fees. For more information about junking a vehicle through the program, click here.
How do I obtain my vehicle’s title after satisfying the lien if it is an electronic title?
Once your lienholder notifies the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch that the lien is satisfied, your title will be updated and mailed to you at the address we have on file.
How can I request for a duplicate title for a vehicle I bought but am no longer in contact with the owner?
If you, the buyer, is unable to locate the seller to obtain the vehicle’s title, safety inspection certificate, and registration certificate, you may file an appeal with the Oahu First Circuit District Court and request to obtain a duplicate title and complete the title transfer process. For information on the First Circuit District Court Notice of Appeal process, click here.
How do I transfer a title to my name if the seller didn’t complete their title transfer when they first bought it?
If the seller had previously bought the vehicle but did not complete the transfer of title to themselves, the seller (1st buyer) can provide a notarized bill of sale or seller power of attorney to the 2nd buyer. The 2nd buyer can then record a double transfer. The first transfer into the 1st buyer’s name, then a second transfer into their name.
For more information on the title transfer process, click here.
If the 2nd buyer is unable to locate the seller (1st buyer) and unable to properly complete the title transfer, the 2nd buyer may file an appeal with the Oahu First Circuit District Court and request to obtain a duplicate title and complete the title transfer process. For information on the First Circuit District Court Notice of Appeal process, click here.
General Information
What motor vehicle transactions are acceptable under a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is unique to each person. We recommend that you consult with an attorney on what powers you have related to motor vehicle transactions.
How can I check the status of my duplicate title/registration, title transfer, registration renewal, or specialty license plates?
Contact the Motor Vehicle Registration Branch by emailing MVINFO@honolulu.gov.
How do I request for a Motor Vehicle Report?
If you are looking for a driving record or driving abstract, contact the Hawaii State Judiciary as they manage driving record/abstract services. For more information, visit their website here.
Additionally, the City and County of Honolulu can provide a verification of Hawaii driver license. For more information on obtaining a verification of Hawaii driver license, click here.