Registering a Vehicle
Hawaii law requires all vehicles to be registered under their rightful owner. Upon transferring ownership through a private sale, the seller and buyer must take appropriate measures to transfer the vehicle’s title as well as the rights of ownership. The new owner must then register the vehicle with their respective county’s division of motor vehicles, four of which are linked below. A renewal of a vehicle’s registration is required annually.
There may be certain slight differences in requirements for the registration of a vehicle in the five counties of Hawaii. Contacting the Motor Vehicle Registration & Licensing Office to verify all information is highly recommended.
Where to Register
Hawaii residents will register at different locations depending on their county of residence. Below are the webpages of the main four counties’ motor vehicle divisions:
- Honolulu County – Department of Customer Service’s Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits Division.
- Hawaii County – Department of Finance’s Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division.
- Maui County – Department of Finance’s Division of Motor Vehicle & Licensing.
- Kauai County – Department of Finance’s Motor Vehicle Division.
Required Documents
- Bill of Sale;
- Odometer Disclosure Statement, which is included on the bill of sale document;
- Certificate of Title (instructions on how to transfer vehicle with a Hawaii title);
- Current Hawaii Vehicle Registration (from the previous owner);
- Valid Driver’s License;
- Completed Application for Registration Form;
- Safety Inspection Certificate (see components list);
- Registration Fees;
- Proof of Insurance, compliant with the following:
- Liability coverage;
- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage;
- Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney, only if an agent shall represent the seller in the transfer of the vehicle.
The required documents may vary depending on the county. For more information visit dmv.org.