You can get a duplicate Hawaii driver's license by mail, in person, or online depending on your situation
A duplicate Hawaii driver's license replaces a lost, stolen, or damaged license without requiring a new photo or retesting. The Hawaii Department of Transportation issues duplicates through three main routes: online through the HDOT website, by mail to the address on file, or in person at a driver licensing office. The fastest method is online if your license is current and you have a valid email address. Mail takes about two weeks. In-person service at an HDOT office is when ready but requires a trip to one of their locations.
The cost is $20 for a duplicate license, whether you order online, by mail, or in person. You will need your current Hawaii driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start any request. If your license was stolen, you may want to report that to local police first, though it is not required to get a duplicate.
Key Takeaways
- Online ordering through the HDOT website is the fastest route and takes three to five business days if you have a current, valid license and an email address.
- Mail requests cost $20 and take about two weeks; you fill out form DL 43 and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form.
- In-person service at any HDOT licensing office costs $20 and is when ready, but you must bring your current license or another form of ID.
- You do not need a new photo, medical exam, or written test for a duplicate; the new license will look identical to your current one.
- If your license was stolen, file a police report separately; it does not affect your duplicate request but creates a record in case of fraud.
Ordering a duplicate online through HDOT
The HDOT online system is the simplest route if your license is current and not suspended. Go to the Hawaii Department of Transportation website and look for the driver licensing section. You will enter your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your identity and show you a preview of the new license before you pay.
Payment is by credit or debit card only online. After you pay the $20 fee, the system will ask for an email address where your confirmation will be sent. Your new license will arrive by mail in three to five business days. You do not choose the mailing address; it goes to the address currently on file with HDOT. If you have moved recently and updated your address with the state, the license will go to your new address. If you have not updated your address, contact HDOT before ordering to avoid the license going to an old location.
Requesting a duplicate by mail
Mail requests use form DL 43, which you can read from the HDOT website or request by phone. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number, full name, date of birth, and current mailing address. Sign and date the form. Mail it with a check or money order for $20 (made payable to the State of Hawaii) to the address printed on the form itself.
Processing takes about two weeks from the date HDOT receives your envelope. There is no tracking number, so you will not know the exact arrival date. If you need the license faster, use the online method or visit an office in person. Keep a copy of the form and your payment receipt for your records in case the license does not arrive within three weeks.
Getting a duplicate in person at an HDOT office
Hawaii has driver licensing offices in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Lihue, and Kona. Walk-in service is available at all locations, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week. Bring your current Hawaii driver's license or another form of government-issued photo ID (passport, military ID, or tribal ID). If your license was lost or stolen and you have no other photo ID, call the office ahead to ask what documents they will accept.
The fee is $20, payable by cash, check, or card depending on the office. You will receive your new license when ready or within a few minutes. The office will scan your current license and print the duplicate on the spot. Bring the exact address of the office you plan to visit because hours vary by location; the HDOT website lists all office locations and their hours.
What to do if your license was stolen
If your license was stolen rather than lost or damaged, file a police report with the Honolulu Police Department or the police department in your county. You do not need the police report to order a duplicate, but having one creates an official record in case someone tries to use your license number for fraud. Give the police report number to HDOT if you are ordering in person; if you are ordering by mail or online, keep the report for your own records.
After you receive your duplicate, monitor your credit report for unauthorized activity. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year through annualcreditreport.com. If you see fraudulent accounts or inquiries, contact the bureau and the creditor when ready.
Replacing a duplicate if it is damaged or lost again
You can order another duplicate using the same three methods. There is no limit to how many duplicates you can order, and each one costs $20. If you lose or damage the duplicate you just received, you do not have to wait any longer than you did the first time. The process is identical whether it is your first duplicate or your fifth.
If you notice damage to your new license shortly after receiving it (printing errors, cracked card, faded photo), contact HDOT directly. Some offices will reprint it for free if the damage is a manufacturing defect rather than wear and tear. Call the office where you plan to return it to ask about their policy before you make the trip.
When you cannot order a duplicate online
The online system will reject your request if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired by more than one year. If your license is suspended or revoked, you must resolve the underlying issue (unpaid traffic fines, medical suspension, or criminal conviction) before HDOT will issue a duplicate. Contact HDOT or the court that issued the suspension to learn what steps are required.
If your license expired more than one year ago, you will need to renew it rather than duplicate it. Renewal requires a new photo and a vision test, so you must visit an office in person or use the mail-in renewal process. The cost is higher for renewal than for a duplicate, and the process takes longer. Check your license expiration date before you order; if it has been more than a year, plan for a renewal instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a duplicate license?
Online ordering takes three to five business days. Mail takes about two weeks. In-person service at an HDOT office is when ready. The timeline depends on which method you choose and how quickly HDOT processes your request.
Can I use a duplicate license that is still in the mail as my ID?
No. Once you order a duplicate, your old license is technically no longer valid, but you will not have the new one yet. If you need ID when ready, visit an office in person. If you can wait, order online or by mail and keep your old license until the new one arrives.
What if I moved and my address on file is wrong?
Update your address with HDOT before ordering a duplicate. You can change your address online, by mail, or in person. If you order before updating, the duplicate will go to your old address. Contact HDOT to redirect it or order again after your address is corrected.
Do I need to bring anything to the office besides my ID?
No. Bring your current license or another photo ID and the $20 fee. You do not need any other documents. The office will have everything they need on file from your original license.
What if my name changed since I got my current license?
A duplicate uses the name on your current license. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, you need to renew your license instead of duplicating it. Bring your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order to an office in person, along with your current license and the renewal fee.