Hawaii Drivers License Renewal Guide

Completing a drivers license renewal in Hawaii on time is extremely important. In general, you must request a DMV license renewal before your credential expires in order to ensure that your driving privileges are maintained. Driving with an expired license may lead to serious consequences from law enforcement and even penalties.

Overall, there are a few different methods for you to renew a driver’s license in HI. However, be mindful that the drivers license renewal requirements and procedures vary slightly from county to county. To learn more about how to file a renewal request in Hawaii, read the sections below.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in Hawaii

Hawaii Drivers License

Note: The expiration date can be found on the front of the driver’s license card, right next to the date of birth of the driver.

State motorists must meet certain eligibility requirements for renewing a driver’s license in Hawaii. For example, you must hold a valid driving credential that has been issued in HI, and you must be within the appropriate time period when a renewal can take place. Furthermore, it is important to note that you can request a DMV license renewal regardless of your age, but the length of validity that will be attached to your credential will vary depending on how old you are.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in Hawaii

There are certain circumstances in which motorists cannot complete a DMV license renewal in Hawaii. These possible situations include:

If your license’s expiration date is still more than six months away.
If your expired driver’s license was not renewed within one year after its expiration date. At this point, you must apply for a new license.
If you hold a suspended or revoked driving license, you cannot renew it. Instead, you must have your driving privileges reinstated.
If your license has been damaged, lost or stolen, you will not be eligible to renew it. You must request a driver’s license replacement.

How early can you renew your drivers license in Hawaii?

In order to renew a drivers license in Hawaii, you must be mindful of the timeframe when the credential becomes eligible for a renewal. In general, this period of time is as early as six months prior to the license’s expiration date, and up to one year after the credential has expired.

Knowing how early you can renew your drivers license is important so that you can get the timing right. It is also important to note that there is a grace period of 90 days after a license’s expiration date during which you can renew the credential without facing any penalties.

Hawaii DMV License Renewal Options

None of the counties in Hawaii offer the ability for motorists to renew a drivers license online. Thus, applicants are required to complete this procedure through one of the other available methods. For instance, you can typically request a license renewal in person or by mail. To learn more about these options, refer to the subsequent sections.

How to Renew Your Driving License by Mail

The mail-in expired drivers license renewal process in Hawaii is available for up to two consecutive times. Overall, this method can be completed regardless of whether you are in HI or out of state. Furthermore, it is important to note that military service members and their immediate relatives may renew a driver’s license by mail as many times as necessary if they are stationed outside of Hawaii on official military duty. In any case, the steps for renewing a driving license via mail includee:

Sending in a letter that contains the following information:
Your name, as it appears on your current driver license.
Your Social Security Number (SSN) or driver’s license number.
Your date of birth.
Your phone number or email address.
Your mailing address.
Your signature, as it appears on your license.
Send the request to the county DMV that issued your license:

Honolulu County

Driver License Section
P.O. Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340

Hawaii County

Department of Finance
Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division
Driver License Section
349 Kapiolani Street
Hilo, HI 96720

Maui County

Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Suite A-17
Kahului, HI 96732-2176

Kauai County

Department of Finance
Driver License Division
4444 Rice Street, Suite A480
Līhuʻe, Hi 96766

Receive a HI DMV renewal packet in the mail, which will contain all of the necessary drivers license renewal forms and instructions.
Complete the “Medical Report” and “Certificate of Eye Examination” forms included in the packet. Both forms must also be completed by a doctor.
Submit documents that prove or verify the following personal details:
Your full legal name.
Your date of birth.
Your Social Security number.
Your legal status in the U.S.
Your state residency status.
Provide payment for the DMV license renewal
Send back the completed packet, including the required documentation and payment method, to the same DMV address that mailed you the renewal packet.

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Person

If you are wondering, “where can I renew my drivers license in Hawaii?” Be mindful that you can request this procedure in various DMV offices located across the state. However, it is important to note that you must renew a driver’s license in the same county that issued your driving credential in the first place. During your visit to the DMV, you will be asked to do the following:

Provide documentation proving:
1. Full name.
2. Date of birth.
3. Social Security Number.
4. Legal status.
5. Mailing address.
Complete a “Driver License Application” form and mark the “driver’s license renewal” box.
Undergo a vision screening.
Pay for the applicable driving license renewal fee.

Military & Out of State Renewal in Hawaii

If you are an active member of the United States military on deployment outside of the country, you do not need to worry about visiting or corresponding with a Hawaii drivers license office to renew your expired license. In general, your driver license will remain valid for 90 days upon your return to the state.

If you are a resident of HI but are currently out of state, you may also be eligible for renewing a driver’s license by mail.

Hawaii Drivers License Renewal Fees

It is important to understand how much it costs to renew a drivers license in Hawaii. Regardless of the method that you choose for completing the renewal, you must pay a renewal fee set by the DMV. On the other hand, these drivers license renewal fees will vary depending on your county of residence. Thus, consider the following costs: