Hawaii
Title Fee
Varies
Sales Tax Rate
Other Tax Rate
4.0%
Who must title a vehicle in Hawai‘i?
All motor vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds (except in Hawai‘i County), trailers, manufactured homes, and motorized vessels must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: Implements of husbandry, ATVs, ORVs, special mobile equipment, lifeboats, manually propelled vessels, small vessels (≤8 ft or <10hp), some low-hp motorboats, amphibious vehicles, racing vessels, barges, and USCG-documented vessels.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Title applications are filed with the Department of Finance in the county where the vehicle is located: Honolulu, Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, or Maui County.
Vessels are titled through the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).
Title fee is included in original registration; vessel title: $20.00.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Notarized Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin, Bill of Lading (date of arrival in Hawai‘i).
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title and last registration; notarized bill of sale if title not released by owner.
Out-of-state/foreign vehicles: Same as above, plus Bill of Lading/shipping receipt and proof of federal safety/emission compliance (CBP 7501, NHTSA, EPA).
Non-title states: Notarized bill of sale, last registration, Bill of Lading/shipping receipt.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Brands: Replica Vehicle, Reconstructed/Rebuilt Vehicle, Insurance Salvage Rebuilt Vehicle, Vehicle Not Transferable (for registration-only). Out-of-state brands are carried forward.
Salvage: Insurer submits title, registration, plates, and application for salvage certificate within 10 days of claim settlement. Owner-retained salvage must be reported.
Rebuilt: Requires salvage certificate, bill of sale, application, Certificate of Inspection by certified repair dealer, and fees.
Junk: Owner submits Statement of Facts Relating to Junking, title, registration, and plates. Vehicle is permanently ineligible for title/registration.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Duplicate title: Application by legal owner/lienholder, notarized; $10.00 fee ($5.00 in Hawai‘i County).
Amended title: $10.00 fee; original title must be submitted.
Vessel replacement: $50.00.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required on transfer (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN inspection required for out-of-state vehicles with no Bill of Lading or VIN issues.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, in Honolulu County and for online vessel transactions; not in Maui/Hawai‘i counties (except for notaries in some cases).
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
General Excise Tax (GET): 4.0% of gross income (plus 0.5% county surcharge), imposed on business activity in lieu of sales tax.
Use Tax: Same rates as GET, imposed on landed value (purchase + shipping + insurance + customs).
Credit for taxes paid to another state: Allowed (not for foreign taxes).
Casual sales: Exempt from GET/use tax.
New residents: Exempt use tax if vehicle used outside Hawai‘i for more than 90 days prior to importation.
Other taxes/fees:
Property Tax: Vehicles exempt; manufactured homes taxed as real property.
County Vehicular Weight Tax: Rates vary by county and vehicle weight (see REGISTRATION/PLATE FEES).
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Lien info is entered on the Application for Registration or on the existing title (one lien per title, except vessels).
Security interest is perfected upon receipt of application by the county.
Fee: $10.00 to record a supplemental vessel lien.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder may release on the title, provide a notarized satisfaction letter, or submit the original canceled contract stamped “Paid in Full” (not accepted in Maui County).
Assignment: Current lienholder endorses lien on title and completes new lienholder section.
How does repossession work in Hawai‘i?
Lienholder may repossess without judicial process if peaceful.
“Repossessed by” is typed on title; Application for Re-Registration of Motor Vehicle Repossessed on Default is submitted with title, last registration, and safety inspection.
Lienholder must first obtain title in their name before transferring to a third party.
For vessels, submit title, transfer statement, and fees to DOBOR.
Other notes:
Honolulu County uses an ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) program (for lenders with ≥25 liens); other counties do not.
PO Box 30330, Honolulu, HI 96820-0330
808.768.4325
Hawai’i County Motor Vehicle Registration
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 5, Hilo, HI 96720
808.961.8351
Kaua’i County Division of Motor Vehicles
4444 Rice Street, Suite A480, Lihue, HI 96766
808.241.4242
Mau’i County Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing
110 Alaihi Street, Suite 101, Kahului, HI 96732
808.270.7363
Enforcement Agencies:
Vehicle: County Police DepartmentsHonolulu: 801 S Beretania St, Honolulu, 808.529.3111
Hawai‘i: 349 Kapiolani St, Hilo, 808.935.3311
Kaua‘i: 3990 Ka‘ana St, Lihue, 808.241.1711
Maui: 55 Mahalani St, Wailuku, 808.244.6400
Vessel: Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), 4 Sand Island Access Rd, Honolulu, 808.587.1970, dlnr.boatreg@hawaii.gov
Key Regulations:
County DMV manages titling, registration, tax collection, liens, and repossession.
Insurance required: Minimum $20,000/$40,000/$10,000 plus $10,000 PIP (no-fault). Proof required at registration and must be carried in vehicle.
Safety inspection required annually and at transfer.
No emission inspection.
Two plates issued (one for trailers, mopeds, motorcycles). Plates remain with vehicle or must be surrendered if moved out of state.
Title/registration records kept indefinitely (may discard after 6 years if inactive).