Motor Vehicle Registration Information

Registration records of all vehicles in Hawaii must be updated annually.

Annual fees are based on the vehicle weight and usage.  They are computed by the Treasury Division, Motor Vehicle Section.

The deadline for registering vehicles is the last working day of the expiration month of the current registration.  However, if the registration expiration date occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the delinquent renewal penalty fee will not be charged until after the next working day.

A penalty will be assessed if fees are not paid on or before the expiration date. The penalty shall be 20% of the County Weight Tax and 20% of the State Weight Tax.

Make checks payable to Director of Finance. Proof of Hawaii motor vehicle insurance is required to obtain a vehicle inspection, and the vehicle inspection sticker and certificate are necessary to operate a vehicle on all Hawaii roads and for all vehicle ownership-registration transactions.

Non-resident active duty military personnel must submit a properly completed Non-Resident Certificate, Form DF-L(MVR) 50, for each registration, renewal or transfer or transaction.

*Form DF-L(MVR) 50 is available from your military personnel office or your military unit.

Hawaii Motor Vehicle Inquiry

Click here to inquire about a motor vehicle in the State of Hawaii,

or pay by mail to the following:

County of Kauai
Treasury Division (MVR)
4444 Rice St., Ste 466
Lihue, HI 96766-1340

Phone: (808) 241-4256

Motor Vehicle Registration Office Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday (closed Holidays)

8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Please be in line by 3:30 PM)

To register out-of-state vehicle, you need to be in line by 3:00pm.

Registration Renewal

If your vehicle is registered in the County of Kauai and you have recently received a renewal notice, you may submit your application online provided that your address is correct and no supplemental forms are required (safety inspection certificate, location certificate, DF-L 50 etc). All online renewals are to be made by credit card and debit card only. 

To renew your vehicle registration online and for more information, go to https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai. (Only credit and debit cards are accepted for online registration renewals.)

MVR Forms (PDF)

Please submit forms to County of Kauai Motor Vehicle Registration Division.

Registration Renewal

By mail to:

County of Kauai
Department of Finance
Treasury Division (MVR)
4444 Rice St., Ste 466
Lihue, HI 96766-1340

When paying by mail or in person, the following payment types are accepted:

  • By cash, check (drawn in U.S. funds), money order, or cashier’s check.  There is a $30.00 service fee for returned checks. (Credit or debit cards are accepted only for online renewals.)

 

Out of State Permit - must have the following

  • Current out-of-state registration
  • Shipping document (Bill of Laden)
  • Fill out and sign the Out-of-State Vehicle Permit application Form
  • Current Hawaii Vehicle Inspection Certificate

 

In lieu of Out of State permit - RO must produce the following for vehicle currently registered out of State

  • Title (if available) – need signature of all owners for issuance of HI title
  • Current Hawaii Vehicle Inspection Certificate
  • Current out-of-state registration (must know Lien holder info, i.e., name and address, if LO exist)
  • Bill of Laden
  • G-27 form (for all out-of-state vehicles) filed with the State Dept. of Taxation
  • Fill out and sign an Application for Registration, Form DF-L(MVR) 1, which must be signed by you, the registered owner(s).
  • Pay HI registration amount for the 12 month period following the expiration of the current OOS registration

Note:  Taxes and fees are charged on an annual basis commencing when the out-of-state registration expires, there is no-proration for registrations which expire during the month.