Is your Hawaii driver’s license about to expire?
Do you not know the steps to renew it?
Then you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’re going to give you a complete guide on the Hawaii driver’s license renewal requirements. We’ll wall you through ALL the steps for the different renewal channels.
We’ll also answer the frequently asked questions.
With this, you’ll know everything you need to know.
So shall we?
How to Renew Your Driver’s License in Hawaii
Unlike other states, Hawaii doesn’t send renewal notices for your license. So it’s up to you to know when your driver’s license is going to expire.
Another thing. Hawaii does not offer online renewal yet. You will have to renew through either mail or in person.
How to Renew Your Hawaii Driver’s License In Person
Renewing your HI driver’s license in an office might seem hassle. However, it’s super easy.
All you need to do is:
- Go to a Hawaii Driver’s License Office that issues licenses. Some offices don’t require appointments, while others do. To make sure, call your local office and ask them.
- Submit the following documents to your licensing office:
- Your driver’s license
- Proof of identity, legal name, and birth date
- Proof of legal presence in the US
- 2 proofs of residency in Hawaii
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s license form for renewal
NOTE: Your name in all the documents should be the same. If not, you need to provide a document stating your name change (i.e marriage contract, divorce papers, etc).
- Pay the renewal fee. Check out the table for the fees in each county:
| County: | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| 1-year license: | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2-year license: | $10 | $10 | $8 | $10 |
| 4-year license (for 24 years old and below): | $20 | $20 | $16 | $20 |
| 8-year license (for 25 years old to 71 years old): | $40 | $40 | $32 | $40 |
- Get your new HI driver’s license
As simple as that!
How to Renew Your Hawaii Driver’s License By Mail
Renewing your HI driver’s license by mail lets you skip the lines at a licensing office. However, there are more steps with this channel.
PLUS, you are only allowed to renew by mail if your license is not yet expired (a.k.a renewing 6 months before your license’s expiration date).
ALSO, you can only renew by mail for 2 consecutive years. After that, you have to renew your license in person.
Let’s go over the steps to renew by mail:
- Write a letter or call your DMV office requesting if you can renew your license by mail. This is because each county in Hawaii has different eligibility requirements that you need to meet. In the letter/call, include the following information:
- Your legal name and date of birth
- Your driver’s license number
- Your contact information such as phone number or email address
- Your mailing address
- Your signature
- If sending a letter, mail or fax it with the complete information on your county’s license renewal division.
- Hawaii County:
Department of Finance
Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division
Driver License Section
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Fax: (808) 961-8861
- Honolulu
Department of Customer Services
P.O. Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820
Fax: (808) 768-3750
- Kauai
Department of Finance
Driver License Division
4444 Rice Street, Suite A480
Lihue, HI 96766
Fax: (808) 241-6533
- Maui
Division of Motor Vehicle and Licensing
70 E. Kaahumanu Avenue
Maui Mall, Suite A-17
Kahului, HI 96732
Fax: (808) 270-7858
- If the licensing office accepts your request for renewal by mail, they will email or mail you a renewal packet.
- Fill out the license renewal packet. Make sure to complete all the forms before mailing them back.
- Pay the fee by check or money order. Here is a list of the fees for each county:
| County: | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| 1-year license: | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2-year license: | $10 | $10 | $8 | $10 |
| 4-year license (for 24 years old and below): | $20 | $20 | $16 | $20 |
| 8-year license (for 25 years old to 71 years old): | $40 | $40 | $32 | $40 |
- Mail the renewal packet and fee back to your respective DMV office. See above for the mailing address for each county.
- Get your new driver’s license via mail.
Sure, there are more steps with mail renewal, but more people prefer it to going to an office and waiting in line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about driver’s license renewal in Hawaii.
Can I renew my Hawaii driver’s license online?
Unfortunately, you cannot renew your driver’s license online in Hawaii. You will have to renew it either in person or through the mail.
When does my driver’s license expire in Hawaii?
Your driver’s license expires anywhere from 1-8 years. This depends on the license fee you paid when you got your license.
For your specific expiration date, you can find it on your license card.
How much is a license renewal in Hawaii?
Fees vary from $5 to $40. The longer your license is, the higher the fee.
Take note that some counties will differ from others. You can refer to this table:
| County: | Hawaii | Honolulu | Kauai | Maui |
| 1-year license: | $5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2-year license: | $10 | $10 | $8 | $10 |
| 4-year license (for 24 years old and below): | $20 | $20 | $16 | $20 |
| 8-year license (for 25 years old to 71 years old): | $40 | $40 | $32 | $40 |
When should you renew your license in Hawaii?
You can start renewing your license 6 months before it expires. You can also renew it 90 days after the expiry date (also called the grace period).
That said, renewing your license 90 days beyond its expiration date incurs a penalty.
If you renew your license a year after it expires, you will be required to take both a written and road test. You have to do this in a DMV office.
Do I need to make an appointment to renew my Hawaii driver’s license?
In some offices, you need to make an appointment. So we recommend calling your licensing office first before renewing in person.
How long does it take to get your new driver’s license?
In general, it takes a month before you get mailed your renewed driver’s license. For Honolulu County, however, it can take up to two months.
If your new license is taking too long to arrive, you can contact your licensing office to follow up.
Conclusion
That was your complete guide to Hawaii driver’s license renewal.
If your HI driver’s license is about to expire, you now know what to do.
You can either renew it in-person for fewer steps but more waiting time (unless you schedule an appointment), or you can renew it by mail with more steps but no waiting time.
Unfortunately, Hawaii does not offer online renewal just yet.
So what are you waiting for?
Go and renew your Hawaii driver’s license today!