Residents of Hawaii must register their vehicles with their county’s DMV. All vehicles are required to have a registration sticker, which must be renewed before it expires.

Sample Hawaii License Plate

Applying for Hawaiian License Plates

Applications for license plates in Hawaii can be made in person at one of the Hawaiian Department of Motor Vehicles branch offices.

The registration process varies across Hawaii, so you’ll have to contact the DMV in your county to obtain the exact documents you need.

In general, you should bring with you:

Vehicle title
Proof of insurance
Valid identification
Payment for fees

When you purchase a vehicle at a dealership, the dealer will help you with the registration of your vehicle. They often provide temporary plates and can submit your registration forms on your behalf. You can drive off the lot and wait for your license plates to arrive.

If your vehicle is from out of state, you have 30 days from the date of your arrival in Hawaii to register your vehicle.

Types of License Plates in Hawaii

You might be familiar with Hawaii’s plate design, which has a rainbow on a white background with black characters. This is the standard license plate issued when you register your vehicle.

It is possible to select a customized license plate that represents an organization, occupation, charitable cause, or something else.

You may also be eligible for disability placards and plates if you have a temporary or permanent disability.

There is even the option to personalize the characters on your license plates. These are called vanity plates. You can search for possible plate numbers by performing a free online search.

Specialty License Plates in Hawaii

Here’s a list of some of the specialty license plates available in Hawaii:

Organizational Plates [$30.50 plate fee + $30.50 renewal]
- University Alumni Plates, Humane Society Plates, US Army Support Plates, and many more.
Military Plates [requires application and eligibility]
- Combat Veterans Plates, WWII Veterans Plates, Persian Gulf Veterans Plates, and many others.
Antique Plates [$10 fee]
- Available only for vehicles 35 years or older.

There are different plates and decals available in each county throughout Hawaii. Contact your nearest DMV to get an updated list of available specialty license plates.

Remember, specialty plates have different fees and renewal rates than the standard Hawaiian license plates.

Renewing Your License Plates in Hawaii

Your license plates are only valid until the date printed on your decals. You can renew your registration before the expiration date in person, by mail, or online.

You will likely receive a notification before your plates expire. Expect to wait a week or more for your new decals to arrive in the mail. When you receive them, place the new stickers directly over the old ones.

Transfer License Plates in Hawaii

You will be able to keep your license plates and transfer them to a new vehicle. There are fees for transferring plates to a new vehicle.

Surrendering Hawaiian License Plates

If you intend to sell, trade, or donate your vehicle and you won’t be purchasing a new vehicle, you must surrender your Hawaiian license plates.

Upgrading your license plate (i.e., personalizing it or getting a specialized style) or moving to a new state are also reasons to surrender your license plate.

If you’re unsure whether you should surrender your license plates, contact the DMV and tell them your situation.

Stolen License Plates in Hawaii

If you believe your license plates have been stolen, you are obligated to notify the police and obtain a police report. This police report is required for the replacement of your stolen plates.

If your plates are damaged, you do not have to report this. Instead, you can bring in your damaged plates, fill out some forms, and get them replaced.

Please bring the following with you to the DMV:

Completed application form for Replacement of Lost or Stolen License Plate
Any remaining license plates
Valid ID
Police report (for stolen plates)
Vehicle registration documents
Payment for replacement fee

The process for getting your license plates replaced differs in each county in the state of Hawaii. You should contact your county’s DMV for up-to-date details.

Fees for License Plates in Hawaii

As mentioned, the fees vary throughout the state of Hawaii. To give you a general idea of the costs and fees of registering your vehicle, here are the fees from Hawaii county:

Taxes
- State weight:
  - 0 to 4,000 lbs: $0.0175 / lb
  - 4,001 to 7,000 lbs: $0.02 / lb
  - 7,001 to 10,000 lbs: $0.025 / lb
  - Over 10,001 lbs: $300 fee
- County weight:
  - Passenger vehicles (i.e., cars, trucks, vans) up to 6,500 lbs: $0.0125 / lb
  - All other vehicles over 6,500 lbs: $0.025 / lb
State Registration Fee: $45
County Fee: $12
Transfer Fee: $5
Plate Replacement Fee: $5
Decal Renewal: $0.50

You should contact your DMV to get an accurate quote for your vehicle’s registration.

How to look up Hawaii license plates

If you want to find out more information about a vehicle, you can look up license plates online. This search tool allows you to find detailed information about a vehicle’s history. You can also use it to search for available license plate numbers.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Hawaii License Plates and report bad drivers:

Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number, and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle

Car Ownership in Hawaii

92.10% of households in Hawaii have at least one vehicle.
Hawaii ranks 39 in car ownership rates. The states with the most car owners are Idaho and Wyoming. The District of Columbia has the fewest car owners in the US.
Hawaii ranks 2nd in the US for electric vehicle ownership, second only to California. About 1.32% of all registered vehicles in Hawaii are electric vehicles.
Hawaii is ranked 17 (tied) on the list of most expensive states in the US to own a car. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Hawaii is $381. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Hawaii is $1,633 per year.

Frequently asked questions

What is on Hawaii’s license plate?

Hawaii’s standard license plate consists of a rainbow graphic on a reflective white background with HAWAII written in black at the top center. The serial numbers issued are coded according to the county.

Does Hawaii have two license plates?

Yes, you are required to have two license plates on your vehicle in Hawaii, one on the front and one on the rear end of the vehicle.

Is Hawaii retiring the rainbow license plate?

There was some talk of Hawaii getting rid of the rainbow plates because they were nearing the end of the alphabet. But the rainbow plates are not being retired just yet. In 2023 it was decided that some alphabets will be recycled, and this will give the rainbow plates another 15 years or so.

Does Hawaii have a vehicle property tax?

Hawaii does not have an ad valorem tax on motor vehicles. However, there is an annual fee that is based on the weight of the vehicle (not the value of the vehicle or the age of the vehicle).

There are penalties if you don’t pay the annual registration fee by the expiration date. However, you may get a special exemption from the annual vehicle fee in Hawaii if your vehicle is in official storage on private property. You need to make a storage exemption request at the start of the storage period and your vehicle must have a current registration at the time.

What is the fastest way to renew a vehicle registration in Honolulu, HI?

The quickest way to renew your vehicle registration in the county of Honolulu is by going to a Hawaii DMV Now kiosk located in Foodland or Safeway stores. If your address is correct and you don’t require supplemental forms such as a safety certificate or location certificate, the kiosk can instantly print your new registration card and emblem after you pay for the renewal (only debit and credit cards are accepted). You can also renew your vehicle registration online, by mail with a check or money order, or in person at any satellite city hall with cash, check, or card.

How to re-register a vehicle and get Hawaii antique license plates?

If you have a bona fide antique vehicle, you can get antique license plates in Hawaii, provided you meet the following conditions:

The age of the vehicle is 35 years or older from the date of manufacture.
The vehicle has original factory specifications or has been restored to original factory specifications.
It is operated or moved on highways primarily for historical exhibitions or similar purposes.

If your vehicle meets these conditions, you can re-register it and get antique license plates issued. You will need the following documents and/or others documents depending on your county’s requirements:

Last vehicle registration
Safey inspection
DMV Antique Vehicle Certification Letter
Notarized affidavit for non-use of vehicle (unless the vehicle has a current registration)

Lookup by license plate and report bad drivers