Whether you are moving to Hawaii, permanently living in a new county within the state, or purchasing a vehicle in Hawaii, you must register a vehicle with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
You must register your vehicle in the county where you live. You have 30 days to register your car if you are a new resident of Hawaii. In order to complete the registration process, you must obtain a safety inspection certificate.
New Resident Registration
When you move to Hawaii and ship your vehicle, you must register a car in your county or apply for an out-of-state permit within 30 days of arrival. Transactions must be completed in person at a DMV location in your county or mailed to the address available on the county’s DMV website.
You need two different documents with your full name (first and last) to prove Hawaii residency:
- Having a valid driver’s license
- Registration or title of the vehicle
- Utility bill less than two months old
- Rent agreement (6 months or more)
- Mortgage
- Paystub
- Financial Statement (not older than 2 months)
Documents Required To Obtain A Driver’s License Or ID:
- A copy of your Social Security Number (SSN)
- Evidence of legal residency in the United States (Passport, Permanent Resident Card)
- A copy of the name change documents (if applicable)
- Proof of Hawaii residency
- Completed application for getting a driver’s license
How to Register a Car in Hawaii?
Fill out the Application for Registration form and submit the following:
- Your most recent out-of-state registration
- Certificate of the title
- a Bill of Lading or shipping receipt
- Current Hawaii safety inspection report
- G-27 “Motor Vehicle Use Tax Certification”
- Proof of vehicle weight
- An approved method of paying registration fees
Are you visiting Hawaii as a non-resident with your car? Then, an out-of-state permit may allow you to drive your car in Hawaii for a maximum of up to one year, or less if your out-of-state license plate expires. Note that this registration must be completed within 30 days of arrival in Hawaii.
How To Apply For An Out-Of-State Permit?
Complete the Out-of-State permit application and submit the following:
- Current out-of-state registration
- Bill of Lading or shipping receipt
- Documents indicating when your vehicle arrived in Hawaii
- Current Hawaii safety inspection report
- Permit fee of $5
Each county in Hawaii has its own registration process, which may differ depending on whether you are moving from one county to another, buying from a private seller, or buying from a dealership.When you buy a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer takes care of all the paperwork so that your vehicle is properly registered.
The Process Of Registering A Vehicle Purchased Privately
If you have purchased a vehicle from a private seller, you will need to provide the following information:
- Title transferred to you
- Hawaii’s current vehicle registration
- Fill out an application for registration of a motor vehicle
- Display a current safety inspection certificate
- $5 for transfer of registration
A $50 late fee will be applied if the registration and transfer of ownership are not completed within 30 days. Additionally, if you move to a different county in Hawaii, your vehicle must be registered in the new county.
What documents are needed to register a car in Hawaii?
Answer: The required documents to register a car in Hawaii include the current out-of-state registration, a safety inspection certificate, a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection certificate, a weight certificate (if applicable), a Hawaii driver’s license or state ID, and proof of insurance.
How long do I have to register my car in Hawaii?
Answer: You have 30 days from the date of entry to register your car in Hawaii.
Do I need to have a safety inspection before registering my car in Hawaii?
Answer: Yes, a safety inspection is required before registering a car in Hawaii. The inspection must be conducted at a state-certified inspection station.
Do I need to pay taxes on my out-of-state car when registering it in Hawaii?
Answer: Yes, you will need to pay Hawaii’s general excise tax (GET) on the vehicle when registering it in Hawaii. The GET rate varies by county and ranges from 4% to 4.5% of the vehicle’s value.
Can I register my car online in Hawaii?
Answer: Yes, you can register your car online through the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal system.
What if I don’t have the current out-of-state registration for my car?
Answer: If you don’t have the current out-of-state registration for your car, you will need to provide a bill of sale, a title, or other proof of ownership.
What if my car doesn’t pass the safety inspection in Hawaii?
Answer: If your car doesn’t pass the safety inspection in Hawaii, you will need to make the necessary repairs and have it re-inspected before registering it.
Related Article:
- Best places to live in Hawaii
- Is it Expensive to Live in Hawaii?
Edward Larrivee
Introducing Edward - the beach-loving car carrier guru at AutoStar Transport Express! With his expertise, Edward helps clients surf through the car shipping process with ease. And when he's not working, he's making waves on the sand court as an avid beach volleyball player. With Edward on your team, your car will arrive safely and on time, and you might even catch a tan!
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Victoria Ruiz
A wanderer at heart, Victoria keeps taking her RAM 1500 to new places. She has been working in the auto transport industry for 7+ years. As an evangelist for Auto Star Transport (and as a friend who transports her vehicle), Victoria loves helping Auto Star Transport customers with help guides and insights.She is nowhere to be found when she is not in the office.
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