Hawaii Registration Renewal

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Your local county clerk office oversees the Hawaii car registration renewal process.

You’ll receive a renewal notice before your vehicle’s expiration.

The notice shares information about your renewal options and the date it’s due. You have 45 days before its expiration to complete your registration renewal. If you haven’t received the notice, contact your local DMV and request this information.

Most drivers can renew your vehicle’s registration:

  • In-person
  • Online
  • By mail

The renewal depends on your county and has different pricing and requirements.

You may check the status of your license by requesting driver records. Requesting records will show anything preventing you from completing the registration renewal. Otherwise, check with your local county clerk or DMV office for more information.

Given you don’t have restrictions on your license, follow along to complete the renewal process.

Hawaii Car or Truck Registration Renewal: Step-by-Step

Your registration renewal method will vary, depending on what’s mentioned on the notice.

If you’ve lost your tags sometime between the renewal you can have it replaced. See our duplicate title guide for more information about this process if it’s a requirement for your renewal. You will also want auto insurance when renewing to legally drive on state roads.

Here are the ways to renew your vehicle’s registration in Hawaii:

Renewing In-Person

In-person renewals happen at your local HI county clerks (find one here), then:

  1. Present your HI driver’s license
  2. Provide your registration notice or current registration
  3. Show your proof of insurance (if necessary)
  4. Show proof of safety inspection (if necessary)
  5. Show a clearance letter for any unpaid violations (if necessary)
  6. Pay the registration renewal fees

The clerk will process your information and complete the transaction. You’ll receive your decals and renewal certificate, letting you get back on the road.

Renewing Online

The online renewal process is different for each Hawaiian county – there are requirements like:

  • You receive a renewal notice stating you can do it online without “special instructions”
  • Your registration won’t expire within 45 days or already expired
  • Your safety certificate hasn’t expired
  • Your personal information (address) hasn’t changed

You will use one of the following renewal portals per county:

You will then:

  1. Input your information
    1. License plate number
    2. VIN
  2. Follow the on-screen prompts
  3. Verify your information
  4. Pay your renewal and service fee

Print this receipt until you receive your new decals and documents in about 10 days by mail.

Renewing by Mail

Want to renew your Hawaii car registration by mail? Here’s what you’ll do:

  1. Gather your personal and vehicle documents
  2. Complete a change of address if necessary
  3. Include your letters (if necessary):
    1. Safety inspection
    2. Clearance letter
  4. Pay the renewal fees (check or money order)
  5. Send the documents with a self-addressed envelope and stamp

Your renewal documents go to different county offices.

For Hawaii residents:

Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division

101 Pauahi St., Suite 5

Hilo, HI 96720

For Honolulu residents:

Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing

P.O. Box 30320

Honolulu, HI 96820

For Kaua’i residents:

County of Kauai Treasury Division (MVR)

4444 Rice St., Ste A480

Lihue, HI 96766

For Maui residents:

Maui County Business Resource Center

70 E. Kaahumanu Ave.

Suite A-17

Kahului, HI 96732

You should receive your renewed documents within 10 days by mail (after processing).

Hawaii Registration Renewal Fees

The cost of registration renewal depends on:

  • County
  • Vehicle weight
  • Vehicle usage

Most renewals have a $45 base rate for their annual registrations. Your county charges extra fees and you’ll usually pay a $10 tax when renewing. It’s best to contact your local office to get a full rundown of how much you can expect to pay when renewing your registration.

Hawaii Emissions Testing

Emissions testing isn’t a requirement for vehicles less than 2 years old. You will need an inspection every year if it’s any older. You can get this done at an inspection station.

You’ll bring your registration and proof of insurance to the station. The clerks will examine your car and provide a certificate that’s uploaded to the state registry. A yellow inspection certificate is given which you’ll use to renew by mail.

Congratulations, You’re Done!

You’ve completed the Hawaii vehicle registration renewal.

Keep track of your expiration date by writing it on your calendar. Otherwise, note the next time a renewal notice comes your way sometime next year. Forgoing renewal can land you in trouble with fines and penalties so don’t let this lapse – happy driving!