Where to renew your Hawaii driver license

The County of Hawaii (the Big Island) handles driver license renewals through the Hawaii Department of Transportation. You cannot renew at a county office — you must go to a Driver Services Center, which is run by the state. On the Big Island, there are two locations: one in Hilo and one in Kona. Both can process renewals, but wait times and hours vary between them.

You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions: your license is not expired by more than six months, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not had any address changes. If you may have access to for mail renewal, you can skip the in-person visit entirely. If you do not may have access to, you must visit one of the two Driver Services Centers in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaii driver licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
  • Mail renewal is available if your license is not expired by more than six months and you have no medical restrictions or address changes.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services Center in Hilo or Kona takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how busy the location is that day.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency, and payment for the renewal fee, which is $54 for an eight-year license.
  • If your license is expired by more than six months, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.

Documents you need to bring for in-person renewal

Bring your current Hawaii driver license — this is the main document the Driver Services Center will ask for. You also need proof of your current address. Acceptable documents include a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If your address has changed since your last license was issued, bring the proof of your new address. If you have not changed your address, bring proof of your current address anyway — the center will verify it matches their records. Bring your payment method: cash, debit card, or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.

How to renew by mail

Mail renewal works only if your license is not expired by more than six months, you have no medical restrictions on your license, and your address has not changed. To start, contact the Driver Services Center in Hilo at 808-961-2100 or the Kona center at 808-326-4000. Ask them to send you the mail renewal form and instructions. They will mail it to your address on file.

Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $54 (made out to the State of Hawaii), and mail everything back to the address on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the date they receive your packet. Your new license will arrive by mail. Do not send cash — it can be lost in the mail.

What happens if your license is expired by more than six months

If your license has been expired for more than six months, you cannot use mail renewal. You must go to a Driver Services Center in person. When you arrive, tell the staff member that your license is expired by more than six months. You will likely need to retake the written test, even if you have held a valid license before.

Bring the same documents as a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of current address, and payment. The written test covers Hawaii traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the official Hawaii Driver Manual, which is free online at the Hawaii Department of Transportation website. The test takes about 15 minutes, and you must pass it to receive your new license.

In-person renewal at Hilo or Kona Driver Services Centers

The Hilo Driver Services Center is located at 318 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on state holidays. The Kona Driver Services Center is at 73-4038 Hulikoa Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, with the same hours. Both locations are closed on weekends and state holidays.

Arrive early if possible — wait times are usually shortest in the morning. Bring all required documents and your payment. The process takes 30 to 45 minutes on average, though it can be longer during peak times. You will be called to a window, your documents will be checked, a new photo will be taken, and you will pay the fee. Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Renewal fees and payment methods

A standard eight-year driver license renewal costs $54. This is the fee for most adult drivers renewing a regular license. If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), the fee is higher — ask the Driver Services Center for the exact amount when you call. Payment must be made at the time of renewal, whether you renew in person or by mail.

At a Driver Services Center, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must send a check or money order — do not send cash. If you are renewing by mail and your check is returned for insufficient funds, the Driver Services Center will contact you and you will need to pay the fee in person at one of the two locations.

When your new license arrives

After you renew in person, your new license is mailed to the address on file. It usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. If you renewed by mail, allow two to three weeks from the date the Driver Services Center receives your packet. You can continue to drive using your old license until the new one arrives, as long as your old license is still valid.

If your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the Driver Services Center where you renewed. Have your old license number ready. They can check the status of your renewal and tell you whether it is still in process or if there was a problem with your process. If there was an error, they may ask you to come back in person to correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Hawaii driver license online?

No, Hawaii does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if you meet the conditions, or in person at a Driver Services Center. Mail renewal is the closest option to online, but you must still mail in a form and payment.

What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?

You must renew in person at a Driver Services Center. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days. Mail renewal is not available when your address has changed, because the Driver Services Center needs to verify your new residency.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No appointment is required. Walk-ins are accepted at both the Hilo and Kona Driver Services Centers during business hours. However, arriving early in the day usually means shorter wait times than arriving in the afternoon.

What if my license is damaged or lost?

If your license is damaged but still readable, bring it to a Driver Services Center for renewal. If it is lost, you will need to report it to the center and request a replacement. The process is similar to renewal, but you may need to fill out an additional form. Call ahead to ask what documents to bring.

Can someone else renew my license for me?

No, you must renew in person or by mail yourself. A family member or representative cannot renew on your behalf. If you are unable to visit a Driver Services Center, mail renewal is your only option, provided you meet the conditions.