REGISTRATION - You have 30 calendar days to register your vehicle with the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicle and Licensing (DMVL). You can register your POV with the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles and Licensing (DMVL) one of two ways:
KEEPING OUT-OF-STATE PLATES
(With a Hawaii out-of-state vehicle permit)
To keep your current license plates, registration, and title, you need:
Current registration
Shipping receipt
Hawaii State Vehicle Safety Inspection certificate (yellow copy)
Hawaii no-fault insurance card
A completed Application for Out of State Vehicle Permit DF-L-27, signed by the registered owner.
You will receive an OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLE PERMIT sticker to place on your vehicle's rear bumper. It is valid for 12 months or until the expiration of your current out-of-state registration, whichever occurs first. It costs $5. When your out-of-state vehicle permit expires, you can either:
Renew your out-of-state registration and renew your Hawaii out-of-State Vehicles permit or,
Register your vehicle permanently with Hawaii plates.
If you obtain a permanent Hawaii registration, all the below requirements apply except DMVL will already have your shipping receipt and the yellow Safety Inspection copy.
OBTAINING HAWAII PLATES
To get Hawaii license plates, registration, and title, you will need:
A DF-L-50 (Non-Resident Certificate) will exempt you from Hawaii's expensive motor vehicle weight tax. The form is available from and has to be filled out in part by your unit administration. To be able to use this form, the active duty member must be a registered owner or co-owner. If not, the member must be given at least co-ownership with a separate Bill of Sale or Title transfer.
Current registration
Shipping receipt
Hawaii State Vehicle Safety Inspection certificate (yellow copy)
Certificate of Ownership (title) unless held by lien holder
Hawaii no-fault insurance card
Completed and signed Application for Registration form
Military ID card
You will receive Hawaii plates and a temporary registration (permanent will be mailed). The cost is $15.50
Most Coast Guard members elect to get Hawaii registration and plates because annual renewal fees are cheaper than their previous state ($10.50 per year).
DoD POV REGISTRATION
To obtain easy access to all DoD bases, all Coast Guard members need to obtain DoD decals by registering their vehicle with the appropriate base.
1. Current registration
2. Copy of your orders (to verify new PCS tour)
3 Hawaii State Vehicle Safety Inspection certificate (pink copy)
4. Hawaii no-fault insurance card
5. Driver's license
6. ID card
7. MOTORCYCLE and MOPED owners MUST complete a Motorcycle Foundation Safety course and provide a completion certificate to obtain a DoD registered sticker.
HAWAII DRIVER'S LICENSE
Active duty members home of record state driver's license remains valid until they are released from active duty, so you usually do not need to get a Hawaii driver's license. Family members can use an out-of-state license until it expires. To convert to a Hawaii license, you must apply to take the written test before your license expires. Otherwise, you will also have to take the road test exam. The cost to transfer your license and take the written test is $20.00 if you are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18 years of age you cannot transfer your out of state driver's license.
INSURANCE
You must carry the Hawaii no-fault insurance card in your vehicle at all times. Failure to show proof of insurance is an automatic $1000 fine! Obtaining economical insurance coverage can be difficult, especially if you are under 25 years of age. Before your arrival in Hawaii, you should switch to an insurance company that will insure you in Hawaii, if possible.
RECONSTRUCTION VEHICLE
All reconstruction vehicles must be inspected and issued a reconstruction permit or be subject to citation. The reconstruction station is located at 1112 Kapahulu Ave (under H1 Freeway). Inspection hours: l:00- 3:15 pm. Phone: 733-2542
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE PROVIDERS
To complete one of the "FREE" motorcycle Safety Courses offered by the below following military facilities, you must have a motorcycle and a motorcycle driver's license. For more information, contact the:
Navy - Ford Island, (808) 472-7569. Free for active duty and dependents.
Air Force - Hickam AFB, (808) 449-2811. Free for active duty.
Marines - Marine Corps Base Hawaii, (808) 257-3408. Free for active duty.
Army - Wheeler Army Air Field, (808) 656-4530. Free for active duty.
If you do not have a motorcycle and plan on buying one but would like to learn how to safely operate and drive one first, you can take a course offered by the University of Hawaii at ISC Honolulu. The course lasts for three days and the cost is $87.50. They will provide the helmet and motorcycle. (808) 453-6120
BICYCLES
All bicycles must be licensed. You must show a bill of sale or fill out an affidavit. If the owner is under 18, parents or guardians must apply for the license (cost is $8). Riders are subject to the same laws as motor vehicles. Military bases require bicycle helmets.
SATELLITE CITY HALLS
Satellite City Halls provide many government services and handle all vehicle registration and renewal transactions for the general public. The satellites are administered by the City's Customer Services Department. For general information concerning the satellites and their services, call (808) 527-6695. Driver's license offices are also decentralized; for information call (808) 532-7730.
The closest Satellite City Hall to ISC Honolulu is located at Kapalama City Square, 1199 Dillingham Blvd, Honolulu, HI, (808) 842-0653