Hawaii Driver’s License Renewal Guide

Updated on July 3, 2021
Given the tropical climate and coastal terrain, it’s no surprise the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Explorer are some of the top cars in Hawaii. Both visitors and locals are fond of vehicles able to take on the off-roading adventures of the island. The Aloha state is home to 1.4 million residents from which nearly 944,000 are licensed drivers.

Though smaller in population, Hawaii has a high car accidents rate. Every year about 10,000 car accidents happen in Hawaii. 40% of those involve alcohol use. Unfortunately, the high accident rate is often considered a symptom of non-Hawaii native drivers who haven’t learned to navigate the island roads.

How to Renew Your Hawaii Driver’s License

If you live in the State of Hawaii, don’t expect to be reminded that your license is about to expire. The state does not send out renewal notices, so it is up to you to make sure you complete your Hawaii driver’s license renewal on time.

This guide answers all your questions about how to renew a Hawaii driver’s license.

How Do I Renew My License In Hawaii?

You can renew your license up to six months before the expiration date.

You also have a grace period of 90 days after the expiration date to renew, but beyond that you will have to pay a reactivation fee of $5 for every 30 days you go past the expiration.

If you go one year or more past the expiration date, or if your license has been suspended, you will essentially have to start over as if you were getting a new license. You will have to retake the vision and skills tests.

Where Do I Renew My Hawaii License?

You must go to your local DMV office to complete your Hawaii license renewal.

If you live in Honolulu county, go to the Department of Customer Services.

For the counties of Hawaii and Maui, the Department of Finance is responsible for driver’s license renewals and in the county of Kauai, you will go to the Treasury Division of Finance.

Alternatively, if you are eligible you can complete your Hawaii driver’s license renewal by mail. We will discuss this process later in this guide.

In Person Driver’s License Renewal

When you visit your local DMV office you must bring the required documents to complete your Hawaii license renewal. These documents include:

• Identity verification with date of birth (birth certificate, passport, or military ID).
• Social Security Number verification (Social Security card, W-2 or 1099 form).
• Proof of citizenship or legal status in the U.S. (birth certificate, domestic passport, or foreign passport with an I-94 form or number).
• Proof of Address documents (pay stub, bank statement, mortgage or lease document, or utility bill).

Once your documents are verified you will have to pass a vision exam, have your fingerprint taken and a new photo captured. Finally, you will pay the required fee to complete your Hawaii license renewal.

Renewing Your Driver’s License by Mail

Hawaii residents are allowed to renew by mail instead of in person up to two consecutive times.

The first step is to order your renewal package from the DMV. To do this, write a renewal request and include the following information:

• Full name.
• Date of birth.
• Driver’s license number.
• Contact information (phone or email).
• Address.

Be sure to sign the letter and send it to your local county DMV office.

You will receive a Hawaii driver’s license renewal package in the mail. The package will contain forms and instructions for completing your renewal by mail.

Complete all the forms in the renewal package including the Medical Report from and the Certificate of Eye Examination. These forms must be completed by a physician and cannot be older than six months.

You must provide proof of your identity, legal status and address. You can prove your identity and legal status by including copies of your passport, your I-94 number, or your Social Security card.

You must also provide two documents that prove your address, such as a bank statement, a pay stub, or a utility bill.

Finally, to complete your Hawaii license renewal you must include the fee.

Required License Renewal Fees

Hawaii license renewal fees vary by county and age.

In Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties, drivers age 25 to 71 must pay $40 for an eight-year license. In Kauai, drivers of any age can receive an eight-year license for $32.

Drivers up to age 24 in Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties can receive a four-year license for $20, and a four-year license in Kauai County is $16.

Drivers who are 72 years old or older pay $10 for a two-year license in Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties and it costs $8 for a two-year license in Kauai County.

In Hawaii County, anyone of any age can opt for a one-year license for $5.

With several options for renewing your Hawaii license, don’t wait until the very end and risk driving with an expired license.