How to register a car in Hawaii

All vehicles must be registered with the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Since Hawaii is made up of islands, registration is slightly different from registration in other states. Vehicles must be registered in the county where you live. If you are new to Hawaii, you have 30 days to register your vehicle. You must first obtain a security check certificate before you can fully register your vehicle.

Registration of a new resident

As a new resident of Hawaii, you must provide the following to complete your registration:

• Fill out an application for vehicle registration
• Recent foreign vehicle registration certificate
• Title out of state
• Bill of lading or shipping receipt
• Security Verification Certificate
• Vehicle weight specified by the manufacturer
• Form of certificate of payment of tax on the use of a motor vehicle
• Registration fee

If you bring your car to Hawaii but don't stay long enough to register it, you can apply for an out-of-state permit. This must be done within 30 days of arrival.

Permit Out of State

To apply for an out-of-state permit, you need to provide the following:

• Current registration card
• The act of technical inspection of the car
• Out-of-State Vehicle Permit Application
• Bill of lading or shipping receipt
• $5 Per Permit

Each county in Hawaii has a slightly different enrollment process. In addition, the process will also differ depending on whether you moved from one county to another, bought a car from a private seller, or bought a car from a dealership. If you are buying a car from a dealer, the dealer will take care of all the paperwork so that your car is properly registered.

Registering a car purchased from a private seller

However, if you purchased the vehicle from a private seller, you will need to provide the following in order to register it:

• Title signed to you
• Current vehicle registration in Hawaii
• Fill out an application for vehicle registration
• Show valid security verification certificate
• $5 registration fee

If registration and transfer of ownership is not completed within 30 days, a $50 late fee will be charged. Also, if you are moving to a different county in Hawaii, the vehicle must be registered in the new county.

Registration in a new county

If you are moving to a new county, you will need to provide the following:

• Fill out an application for vehicle registration
• Vehicle name
• Vehicle registration certificate
• Information about the copyright holder, if applicable
• Pay registration fees

military

Out-of-state military personnel may purchase a vehicle while in Hawaii. In addition, an out-of-state vehicle may also be registered. In these cases, you do not need to pay registration fees.

National Guardsmen, reservists, and Temporary Active Duty soldiers must pay registration fees, but may be exempt from vehicle weight tax. To do this, follow the steps outlined in the New Resident Registration section and submit the Registration Fee Waiver: Non-Resident Certificate Form along with the Vehicle Weight Fee Waiver form.

Registration fees vary from county to county. Also, if you move, the vehicle must be registered in the new county, as Hawaii has slightly different laws than other areas of the US.

If you have additional questions about this process, be sure to visit the Hawaii DMV.org website.