Information for U.S. Military Service Members
Driver's License
Military members with a valid driver’s license from another U.S. state do not need to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license unless that license is expiring and they cannot renew it in that state.
An expired driver’s license is not a valid license to legally drive. Active duty military personnel and their dependents, whose driver’s license expired while they were deployed out of the country, have the benefit of having their driver’s license valid for 90 days after they return to the United States.
Resources:
Official Hawaii Driver’s Manual | Driver Licensing Centers on Oahu
Initial Vehicle Registration in Hawaii
- Take your vehicle to any official Hawaii Safety Inspection Station:
a) If your vehicle passes all other items on the safety inspection, it will fail on valid registration in the City and County of Honolulu.
b) If other defects are found, the defects must be corrected before you register the vehicle. - Take your vehicle documentation and “failed” safety inspection to any satellite city hall on Oahu or the vehicle registration office at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam:
a) An AlohaQ appointment is recommended for vehicle registration services at satellite city halls. Limited stand by service is available at all locations, but same day service is not guaranteed.
b) Appointments are required at the JBPHH vehicle registration office. - If you plan to keep your out-of-state plates, you will need the following:
a) Valid out-of-state registration, title/lien holders address.
b) Shipping documents (Bill of Lading) with vehicle identification number (VIN).
c) Out-of-state permit application form CS-L (MVR) 27, which will be available at the satellite city hall or motor vehicle registration office.
d) “Failed” Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
e) After you get your out of state permit, you will need to return to the Hawaii Safety Inspection Station within 30 days of the original “failed” safety check, to pass the safety inspection and get your valid safety inspection emblem and certificate. - If you plan to register your vehicle and get Hawaii license plates you will need the following documents:
a) Current out-of-state registration, title/lien holders address.
b) Shipping documents (Bill of Lading) with vehicle identification number (VIN).
c) Non-Resident Certificate for Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard service members, U.S. Military Non-Resident Certificate CS-L(MVR) 50 form, which is available from your military unit or military personnel office. (Guidance for Completing the Non-Resident CS-L (MVR) 50)
d) “Failed” Hawaii Safety Inspection Certificate.
e) Completed and signed City and County of Honolulu form CS-L(MVR)1, Application for registration; if there are joint owners, both owners must sign the form.
f) After you register your vehicle in the City and County of Honolulu and receive your license plates, you will need to return to the Hawaii Safety Inspection Station within 30 days of the original “failed” safety check, to get your valid safety inspection emblem and certificate.
g) Please note that Hawaii requires two license plates on vehicle’s the license plate with the emblem space in the upper right hand corner goes on the rear of the vehicle, and the other license plates must be affixed to the front of the vehicle before you return to the Safety Inspection Station.
Annual Vehicle Registration in Hawaii
- Active duty service members stationed at a military installation in Hawaii who are residents of another state , or their spouse who claims the same legal residence of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty in the state of Hawaii, are exempt from payment of Hawaii’s motor vehicle weight taxes for vehicles registered in their name. If you qualify and want to be exempt from the weight tax:
a) Non-resident active duty military personnel or spouse must submit a properly completed Non-Resident Certificate, Form CS-L (MVR) 50, for each registration, renewal or transfer transaction involving their POV(s).
b) Form CS-L (MVR) 50 is available from your military unit or military personnel office.
c) Guidance for Completing Vehicle Weight-Tax Waiver Form CS-L (MVR) 50 (white form). - Hawaii residents on active duty, and members of the National Guard and Reserve who are assigned to units located in Hawaii, are exempt from motor vehicle weight taxes for one vehicle registered in their name. If you qualify and want to be exempt from the weight tax:
a) To qualify for the exemption, a properly completed Hawaii Resident Certificate, Form CS-L (MVR) 50A, must be submitted for each registration, renewal or transfer transaction involving the POV.
b) Form CS-L (MVR) 50A is available from your military unit or military personnel office.
c) Guidance for Completing Vehicle Weight-Tax Form CS-L (MVR) 50A (blue form). - Individuals who are members of a reserve component on temporary active duty do not qualify for the vehicle weight tax exemption.
- Annual vehicle registration is required for all vehicles operated on the public roads in Hawaii. Take your vehicle documentation to any satellite city hall on Oahu or the vehicle registration office at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam.
a) An AlohaQ appointment is recommended for vehicle registration services at satellite city halls. Limited stand by service is available at all locations, but same day service is not guaranteed.
b) Appointments are required at the JBPHH vehicle registration office and this office now accepts credit and debit cards in addition to cash or checks for payment.
c) Renew by mail by sending all required documentation and a payment by check only. - Required documentation for annual vehicle registration renewal
a) Current Hawaii Vehicle Inspection Certificate (safety check).
b) Completed form CS-L (MVR) 50 or 50A if you are claiming a vehicle weight tax waiver.
c) Renewal notification document or last validated certificate of registration. - Should you leave active duty, change your residency to Hawaii or are stationed out of the state of Hawaii but your vehicle remains in Hawaii, you are no longer exempt from Hawaii’s motor vehicle weight tax. To avoid a penalty for delinquent registration, re-register your vehicle within 30 days of the effective date of your change in status.
RELATED VIDEOS
Completing Vehicle Weight-Tax Form CS-L (MVR) 50 (white form)
Completing Vehicle Weight-Tax Form CS-L (MVR) 50A (blue form)
Junk Vehicle Program
- Junk your vehicle for free by turning it in to the city:
Download and complete the Statement of Facts Relating to Junking of Vehicle. - Bring the completed form along with the title, registration, and license plates to any satellite city hall on Oahu or the vehicle registration office at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam to have your vehicle processed for junking/disposal:
a) An AlohaQ appointment is recommended for vehicle junking processing at satellite city halls. Limited stand by service is available at all locations, but same day service is not guaranteed.
b) Appointments are required at the JBPHH vehicle registration office. - Follow the directions provided to you at the satellite city hall or JBPHH vehicle registration office and the vehicle will be towed and processed for disposal at no cost to you.
- Please be aware that for a junked vehicle to be towed:
a) Vehicle must be free of debris and rubbish;
b) Vehicle must be parked on property owned by the applicant or legally parked on a public street or property;
c) Vehicle must be accessible to a tow truck; and
d) Vehicle must have at least two inflated tires on the same axle, either the front or the rear of the vehicle that is accessible to the tow truck. - The free Junk Vehicle Program will not relieve you of any financial responsibility such as a car loan, criminal charges, or citations.
- For information on long term storage options while deployed or temporarily reassigned, please refer to the city’s SCRA Informational brochure.
Unclaimed Vehicle Program
- Every month, hundreds of vehicles are towed from public roadways for the following reasons:
a) Abandoned more than 24 hours (parked in the same place for more than 24 hours without the vehicle being moved);
b) Parked illegally or in such a way that creates a traffic or safety hazard;
c) Expired registration, safety check and/or no insurance;
d) Used in a crime (eg ., DUI);
e) Not operational after an accident ; or
f) Stolen, stripped down and discarded. - Under the Unclaimed Vehicle Program, the city will auction towed vehicles that remain unclaimed after the time allotted by the city in its Notification of Unclaimed Vehicle in Custody letter; however, the city allows 60 days for active duty service members to claim a POV before seeking an order authorizing the city to auction the unclaimed POV.
- To claim your towed POV:
a) If you received a Notification of Unclaimed Vehicle in Custody letter, call the phone number on the letter to locate and claim your POV.
b) Pay the towing and storage charges to claim your POV.
c) If you are deployed or temporarily reassigned off the island, have your representative under a power of attorney call the phone number on the Notification of Unclaimed Vehicle in Custody letter to locate and claim your POV.
d) Make sure that your representative brings a copy of the power of attorney, identification confirming that he/she is the designated representative in the power of attorney, and sufficient
funds to pay the towing and storage charges to claim your POV.
e) Contact Motor Vehicle Control at (808) 768-2530 or by email at mvc@honolulu.gov if you have any questions or encounter a problem claiming your vehicle. - If you do not want your towed POV, or if you no longer own your POV but it is still registered in your name:
a) Execute a Waiver of Rights and Protections Afforded under the Service members Civil Relief Act (SCRA Waiver). An SCRA Waiver form is available online.
b) Email the completed SCRA Waiver to mvc@honolulu.gov. - If you no longer need or want your POV, please review information on the city’s free Junk Vehicle Program
- Review the city’s detailed SCRA Policies and Procedures
Veterans Vehicle Registration Benefit starting July 1, 2026
Beginning on July 1, 2026, veterans of the U.S. armed forces 65 and older who were not dishonorably discharged may receive an exemption to the $20 City and County of Honolulu motor vehicle registration fee for one vehicle annually. For more information click here.