There are times when you need your Hawaii driving record. This can be when you’re applying for auto insurance, or maybe the court is asking for it.
Then, there are other times when you just want to check how many convictions you’ve committed.
Whatever the case, you need to get hold of your Hawaii driving record.
But how?
And where?
Welcome to your complete guide on how to get a Hawaii driving record.
Here, we’re going to show you how to get it through the different channels. Plus, we’ll also tell you what you need to know about these records.
So let’s begin!
Types of Driving Records in Hawaii
There are 3 types of driving records in Hawaii:
- Driving history record
- Traffic abstract
- Traffic court report
Driving History Record
A driving history record, simply known as a driving record, is a record of your convictions, infringements, accidents, and license status. It has your basic information and the date of license issuance, too.
Driving history records are non-official documents, so you can’t use them in court. However, you can use this to track your disqualifications (for commercial drivers) and convictions (for non-commercial drivers).
Take note that this document only has 3 years’ worth of information, so it’s not the full report.
Traffic Abstract
A traffic abstract is a less comprehensive record of your driving behavior as compared to a driving history record.
It focuses more on a list of your moving violations, alleged moving violations, convictions, and license suspensions.
Since it’s a less comprehensive and detailed report, this only shows a glimpse of your driving behavior for a certain period.
Nonetheless, this is the type of driving record employers and auto insurance companies often ask for.
Traffic Court Report
This is the driving record used in courts. Like the traffic abstract, it shows your moving violations, alleged moving violations, etc.
What makes this record different is that it includes parking citations.
Only you will be granted access to this report. This is the only driving record that allows no one else to get it but you.
How to Get Your Driving Record in Hawaii
Now that you know the difference between the driving records in Hawaii, let’s see how to get hold of these records.
There are 2 ways to get hold of your Hawaii driving record — by mail or in person. Let’s go over the steps for each channel.
NOTE: Unfortunately, getting a driving record online is not available in Hawaii.
How to Get Your Hawaii Driving Record by Mail
You can only get a driving history record and a traffic abstract by mail. For traffic court reports, you’ll have to get that at an office.
Now, here are the steps to get your Hawaii driving record by mail:
- Print and fill up a Request for Driving History Record Form or send a letter requesting a traffic abstract record. NOTE: in the letter, you should include your full name, date of birth, and driver’s license number.
- Notarize your Request for Driving History Record Form.
- Get a cashier’s check or money order (made payable to the District Court) of $9 for a driving history record or $20 for a traffic abstract record.
- Attach a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your requested document
- Put all these in an envelope and send it to any Hawaii district court (check the request form for locations in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui).
- Wait 10 days for your driving record to be mailed to you.
And there you have it.
How to Get Your Hawaii Driving Record In Person
You can get all 3 types of driving records in person.
Here now are the steps to obtain your driving record at an office:
- Print and fill up a Request for Driving History Record Form. You can also find this form in any District Court office. Plus, you can request a traffic abstract or traffic court report at the office.
- Go to your local District Court office
- Provide a copy of any government-issued ID to prove your identity. If you’re getting a traffic court report, you will be asked to show an ID with your photo.
- Pay the $9 fee for the driving history record or the $20 for a traffic abstract or traffic court report.
- Receive your driving record
So easy, right?
How to Improve Your Hawaii Driving Record
Okay, let’s say you get hold of your driving record and see that it isn’t the cleanest…
You’ve accumulated several convictions along the way.
Is there any way you can improve your Hawaii driving record?
Yes and no.
No, there is nothing you can do to remove convictions from your driving record.
Yes, you can take a defensive driving course to dismiss tickets, thus avoiding convictions from being added to your record in the first place.
That said, do NOT enroll in a defensive driving course in the hopes of getting a traffic violation dismissed without court approval. This might just waste your time and effort if the court finds that you’re not eligible.
Does Hawaii Have a Point System?
Unlike most states, Hawaii does not have a point system. It used to have, but it was removed years ago and is now replaced by fines and penalties (i.e community service).
This means that there is no way to reduce points from your driving record – as there are no points given in the first place.
But this doesn’t mean that your violations, accidents, and infringements are not recorded. These are still put on your driving record as convictions.
Also, if the accident or violation is severe, the court can decide to give you harsher penalties.
Conclusion
And that was your complete guide on how to get a Hawaii driving record.
As you can see, it’s very simple.
All you need to do is request the type of driving record you need, pay the fee, and get hold of your record.
That’s it!
So what are you waiting for?
Need to hand over your Hawaii driving record to an auto insurance company, or maybe a future employer?
Curious to know how many convictions you’ve accumulated through the years?
Then grab the appropriate driving record.
It’s so easy!