All vehicles in Hawaii must be registered and those registration records must be updated annually.
All vehicles on Oahu are required to have a valid Registration, Certificate of Title, and State of Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
Annual fees are based on the vehicle weight and usage. They are computed by the Division of Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permits. You may calculate the fees that will be charged by visiting the Honolulu Motor Vehicle Fee Inquiry site at: https://mvinquiry.hnl.info/
The deadline for registering vehicles is the last working day of the expiration month of the current registration. However, if the registration expiration date occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the delinquent renewal penalty fee will not be charged until after the next working day.
A penalty will be assessed if fees are not paid on or before the expiration date. The penalty shall be an annual flat rate of $16.00 ($8.00-County Weight Tax penalty and $8.00-State Weight Tax penalty) for the passenger rate and $40.00 ($20.00-County Weight Tax penalty and $20.00-State Weight Tax penalty) for the commercial rate.
Make checks payable to: City and County of Honolulu. Proof of Hawaii motor vehicle insurance is required to obtain a vehicle inspection, and the vehicle inspection sticker and certificate are necessary to operate a vehicle on all Hawaii roads and for all vehicle ownership registration transactions.
Non-resident active duty military personnel must submit a properly completed Non-Resident Certificate, Form CS-L (MVR) 50*, for each registration, renewal or transfer transaction.
Hawaii residents on active duty and members of the National Guard and Reserve and who are assigned to units located in Hawaii are exempt from motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name. You must submit a properly completed Hawaii Resident Certificate, Form CS-L (MVR)50A, for each registration, renewal or transfer transaction.
*Form CS-L (MVR) 50 and Form CS-L (MVR)50A is available from your military personnel office or your military unit.
For members of the military with access to the office located on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, motor vehicle registration appointments must be scheduled online. Please click here to make your appointment using our online scheduling system.
When you buy a new vehicle on Oahu, the dealer will probably have it registered and licensed for you. But if this service is not provided, this is what you must do:
There are four ways to renew a Hawaii Motor Vehicle Registration:
Hawaii DMV Now Kiosk
Use one of the Hawaii DMV Now Kiosks located inside certain Safeway and Foodland stores to quickly and securely renew your vehicle registration − provided your City and County of Honolulu address is correct and no supplemental forms are required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, CS-L (MV) 50 or 50A, etc.). The kiosk will print out your new registration card and license plate emblem immediately after you pay for your renewal.
DMV Now kiosks accept only credit and debit card payments (VISA, Mastercard, or Discover). A 2.5 % credit/debit card service fee and $4 remote transaction fee are applied to each transaction. For Hawaii DMV Now Kiosk locations on Oahu, click HERE.
Online
Online registration renewal is available provided your City and County of Honolulu address is correct and no supplemental forms are required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, CS-L (MV) 50 or 50A, etc.).
Mail
Renew by mail with check or money order made payable to “City and County of Honolulu.” Follow instructions on your Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal notice and mail to:
Department of Customer Services
Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits
P.O. Box 30320
Honolulu, HI 96820-0320
In person at any satellite city hall
Renewal at a satellite city hall location is an express window transaction. Accepted forms payment for in-person transactions:
Annual fees based on the vehicle weight and usage. Please click here to calculate the fees.
Please note, registered owners are responsible for renewing a vehicle registration prior to the registration expiration date whether or not a courtesy renewal reminder is received via USPS.
