Beginning May 7, 2025, only federal compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses and state ID cards will be accepted to get on a domestic airline flight and to enter certain federal buildings and military bases. A United States Passport or military ID can be used as an alternate identification for these purposes.
On January 16, 2018, the City and County of Honolulu began issuing new and renewed driver’s licenses and state IDs bearing a star in a gold circle that indicates full compliance with new Department of Homeland Security guidelines. Valid Hawaii driver’s licenses and state ID cards comply with Department of Homeland Security standards until May 7, 2025.
Federal and state law allows you to have only ONE REAL ID-compliant card. You can no longer have both. Residents must choose either a compliant driver’s license or state ID. Licenses and state ID cards already issued will remain valid through their expiration date.
When acquiring or renewing a driver’s license or state ID card, residents must indicate on the application whether the card will be federal compliant REAL ID. There is no additional fee for the star marking.
Frequently Asked Questions
On January 16, 2018, the City and County of Honolulu began issuing new and renewed driver licenses and state IDs bearing a star in a gold circle that indicated that the license and identification cards are in full compliance with new Department of Homeland Security guidelines.
A REAL ID-compliant card is an accepted form of ID for domestic air travel and accessing federal government facilities. A U.S. Passport can be used as alternate identification to board flights.
All Hawaii issued driver licenses and ID cards, with or without the star, are fully compliant with federal requirements until May 7, 2025.
On Oahu, the City and County of Honolulu offers REAL ID federal compliant driver licenses and state ID cards marked with a star in a gold circle through its Driver Licensing Centers.
Go to the nearest Driver Licensing Center:
- Kapalama Hale, 925 Dillingham Blvd., Mon – Fri, 8 am – 4 pm
- Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluohia St., Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 4 pm
- Koolau 47-388 Hui Iwa St., Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 4 pm
- Wahiawa 330 North Cane St, Mon – Fri, 7:45 am – 4 pm
- Waianae 85-670 Farrington Hwy, Tue and Thu ONLY, 7:45 am – 4 pm (Closed 11:30 am – 12:30 pm)
Cash, Credit or Debit cards with the Visa, MasterCard, or Discover logo, or Check drawn on U.S. funds made payable to City and County of Honolulu.
These requirements ensured that Hawaii is compliant with federal standards for REAL ID. These requirements were enacted by the federal government for national security reasons.
On January 16, 2018, the City and County of Honolulu began offering the REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and state of Hawaii IDs, ahead of the May 7, 2025, federal compliance deadline.
(Note: Effective June 18, 2021, presenting Social Security Number (SSN) documentation is optional.)
Driver’s License:
- Download, print and complete a state of Hawaii Driver’s License Application.
- If you have not previously done so, submit original documents for proof of legal presence, Social Security number, and two documents to show Hawaii residency. Click here for online help with the required documents or download this document.
State of Hawaii ID:
- Download, print and complete a state of Hawaii ID Application.
- If you have not previously done so, submit original documents for proof of legal residence, Social Security number, and two documents to show Hawaii residency. Click here for help with the required documents or download this document.
Because the necessary documents for a REAL ID were already provided you can:
- Wait and get it later. The valid driver’s license is acceptable for domestic air travel and accessing federal government facilities until May 7, 2025.
- Get it at your convenience. Apply for a duplicate driver’s license at a Driver Licensing Center.
- Check the box on the application for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
- It will cost $6 for the duplicate in person and $7 online.
No. The service is not available at this time.
‘Star in a gold circle’ marked duplicate driver’s licenses now available online. A driver’s license with star in a gold circle in the upper-right-hand corner is now just a click away for Oahu residents who can apply for an exact replacement of a driver’s license from the convenience of a mobile device or computer. (Note: this option is not available for state ID renewals and duplicates because state law requires that state ID renewals and duplicates must be done in person.)
The city’s online system has been updated to allow customers to order an exact driver’s license duplicate with the star if proof of legal presence, legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and Hawaii principal residence address are on file. The online fee for a duplicate license or permit is $6 plus a non-refundable service fee of $1. Payment must be made by credit or debit card.
Yes. There is the Non-Compliant State ID intended for incapacitated residents and the new Limited Purpose State ID. Neither of these cards are acceptable for official Federal purposes such as boarding a commercial airplane for domestic travel or entering certain federal facilities. Refer to our State ID webpage for more information.
This Hawaii State ID is acceptable for domestic air travel and accessing federal government facilities until May 7, 2025.
You can switch from the REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to a state ID, but you can have only one REAL ID compliant card and one will have to be surrendered to get the other.
If you have the REAL ID compliant state ID, you may be eligible for a Limited Purpose Driver’s License. The Limited Purpose Driver’s License is a license to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways. It is not Real ID compliant and is not accepted for domestic air travel or to enter federal facilities. Information about the Limited Driver’s License can be viewed here.
- Use the online document guide to be sure you have the correct documents needed or download this document before coming to the Driver Licensing Center for your driver’s license or state ID.
- P.O. Box numbers are not acceptable to indicate a Hawaii principal residence address unless a number and street name have not been assigned for U.S. mail delivery. An address convention used by the U.S. Postal Service is acceptable.
- Make an appointment online: Use AlohaQ to schedule an appointment for your Driver’s License transaction, including renewals and duplicates, at your choice of five full-service Driver Licensing Centers, or, at select Satellite City Halls for Hawaii driver license or state ID
duplicate or renewal transactions. - Don’t wait: You can renew up to six months prior and still keep your birthdate expiration date.
- Know where to go: Driver’s license and state ID services are available at the five Driver Licensing Centers across the island. Hawaii driver’s license and state ID renewal services are also available at the Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge Mall, and Windward City Satellite
City Halls. - Forms of payment that are accepted at Driver Licensing Centers: Cash, Credit or Debit cards with the Visa, MasterCard, or Discover logo, or Check drawn on U.S. funds made payable to City and County of Honolulu.
- A service fee of 2.35% of the total credit card payment will be assessed.
- Please allow six to eight weeks to receive your permanent driver’s license in the mail.
- Request a duplicate driver’s license online: Don’t stand in line, request an exact driver’s license duplicate online HERE. You pay by credit card and the duplicate license will be mailed to the address on file. The online service is for an exact duplicate. Initial REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses cannot be issued online at this time. This online option is not available for state ID renewals and duplicates because state law requires that state ID renewals and duplicates must be done in person.