Supporting the Relocation, Travel, and Lifestyle Needs of the American Military Family

VEHICLE REGISTERATION

ALL CARS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII WITHIN 30 CALENDAR DAYS AFTER THE CAR IS PICKED UP.

Non-residents may choose to keep an out of state license plates until they expire.  However, the vehicle must be registered in order to get a Hawaii vehicle permit sticker.  There are penalties for not registering your vehicles or obtain an out-of-state permit within 30 calendar days after the vehicle is picked up.

Required items when registering for Hawaii plates:

• Current Registration
  
  
• Certificate of Ownership (title) unless held by lien holder.  A Power of Attorney (POA) may be needed if the name of the person registering the vehicle is not on the title.
  
  
• Hawaii No-Fault Insurance Card - Proof of insurance must be presented to get a safety inspection.  All drivers are required to have Hawaii No-Fault Insurance.  To get Hawaii No-Fault insurance you must obtain a Hawaii abstract of Traffic Record, even though you just arrived.  An abstract may be obtained at District Court Office for a small fee per person.  
  
  
• Hawaii State Vehicle Safety Inspection Certificate (yellow copy)
  
  
• Bill of Lading (if the car was shipped)
  
  
• Certificate of Non-Residency, DF-L-50 (available at the Pass and ID house at the main gate)

Out of State Permits

Out of State permits must be displayed on all vehicles that are licensed out of state.  These permits are obtainable at any Satellite City Hall on Oahu.  The closest offices to MCBH, Kaneohe Bay are the Kailua Satellite City Hall and the Kaneohe Satellite City Hall, which can be found in the contacts.

Vehicle Safety Inspection

A Hawaii state vehicle safety inspection is required prior to registering one's vehicle either in the State of Hawaii or obtaining an out of state vehicle permit for cars not registered in the State of Hawaii.  Any authorized vehicle service station can issue a state vehicle safety inspection sticker.

All privately owned vehicles, regardless of state of registration, must display a valid state of Hawaii inspection sticker.  Also, the mechanical conditions and equipment present must meet, and continue to meet, the requirements for state inspection.

LEASED CARS

You must have:

• A Power of Attorney from the leasing firm authorizing the service member (by name) to register the car in the State of Hawaii. The POA must specify the vehicle identification number (VIN).  
  
  
• Hawaii DOES NOT WAIVER the registration fee on LEASED CARS.

Drivers License

Drivers education manuals can be purchased at area exchanges. Study of the manual is recommended prior to taking the driver's license test.

The State of Hawaii does recognize valid operator's licenses of all other states and U.S. possessions (i.e. Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.).

Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia do not require special operator endorsements of any type to operate a motorcycle.  All other states require special endorsement or typed affidavits.  Motorcycle and motor scooter operators from these states and territories must have either a code entered on their license that permits operation of motorcycles or motor scooters, or must possess a State of Hawaii instruction permit or motorcycle or motor scooter license to operate a motorcycle or motor scooter in Hawaii and aboard the base.

Persons younger than 18 years old, including military personnel, may not operate a privately owned motor vehicle in the State of Hawaii, on or off base, unless licensed by the State of Hawaii.

Please refer to contacts for more information.