Where to renew and what documents you need
In Hawaii, you renew your driver license at any of the eight Driver Licensing Offices run by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. The main office is in Honolulu on Oahu, but there are branches on Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, and Molokai. You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired by more than six months, you must be a Hawaii resident, and you cannot have any medical restrictions or violations that require an in-person review.
For an in-person renewal, bring your current Hawaii driver license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099), and proof of your current Hawaii address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You do not need to bring your birth certificate unless you are renewing for the first time or your license was lost or stolen.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at any Hawaii Driver Licensing Office or by mail if your license expired less than six months ago and you have no medical restrictions.
- Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current Hawaii address; a utility bill or lease works for the address.
- The in-person renewal takes about 30 minutes at most offices, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days if you renew in person, or within 10 to 14 business days if you renew by mail.
- The renewal fee is $36 for a four-year license or $60 for an eight-year license; you choose the term when you renew.
In-person renewal at a Driver Licensing Office
Walk into any Hawaii Driver Licensing Office during business hours with your documents. The Honolulu office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hours vary at the neighbor island offices — call ahead or check the Department of Transportation website to confirm. You do not need an appointment; offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though you can request an appointment online if you prefer to avoid a wait.
At the counter, tell the staff member you are renewing your license. They will verify your documents, take a new photo (unless you request to keep your current photo), and ask you to sign a form confirming your information. You will pay the renewal fee by cash, check, or card. The staff member will give you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed. Your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Mail renewal for licenses expired less than six months
If your Hawaii driver license expired fewer than six months ago, you can renew by mail without visiting an office. read the Driver License Renewal by Mail form from the Hawaii Department of Transportation website, or request one by calling the Honolulu office at (808) 532-4961. Fill out the form with your current information, sign it, and include a copy of your proof of Social Security number and proof of your current Hawaii address.
Mail the completed form and documents to the address listed on the form — typically the Honolulu Driver Licensing Office. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee ($36 for four years or $60 for eight years). Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive within 10 to 14 business days from the date the office receives your mail. If your license expired more than six months ago, you must renew in person.
What happens if your license is expired or about to expire
If your Hawaii license has already expired, you can still renew it in person at any Driver Licensing Office as long as it expired fewer than six months ago. Bring the same documents as a regular renewal. If your license expired more than six months ago, the office will treat it as a new license rather than a renewal — you will need to pass the written test and vision test, and you may need to provide additional documents like your birth certificate.
If your license is about to expire, do not wait until the last day. Offices can become busy, and mail renewals take 10 to 14 days. Start the process at least two weeks before your expiration date to may support your new license arrives in time. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary paper license you receive at the office is valid for 30 days.
Renewal fees and license terms
Hawaii offers two renewal terms: a four-year license for $36 or an eight-year license for $60. You choose which term you want when you renew. The eight-year license costs more upfront but saves you money over time if you plan to stay in Hawaii — you will not need to renew again for eight years. The four-year license is a better choice if you think you may move out of state or if you want to update your photo more frequently.
Payment must be made at the time of renewal. In-person renewals accept cash, check, or card. Mail renewals require a check or money order — do not send cash through the mail. If you are renewing by mail and your check is returned for insufficient funds, the office will contact you to collect payment before your license is mailed.
How to find your nearest Driver Licensing Office
Hawaii has eight Driver Licensing Offices across the islands. The main office is located at 1199 Dillingham Boulevard in Honolulu. There are also offices in Kailua, Kaneohe, Kapolei, and Waipahu on Oahu; in Kahului and Kihei on Maui; in Hilo and Kona on Hawaii Island; in Lihue on Kauai; and in Kaunakakai on Molokai. The Honolulu office is the largest and typically has the longest wait times during peak hours (mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays).
To find the address, hours, and phone number of your nearest office, visit the Hawaii Department of Transportation website or call (808) 532-4961. Some offices are smaller and may have limited hours — calling ahead before you visit is a good idea, especially if you live on a neighbor island. The website also shows current wait times at the Honolulu office, updated every 30 minutes.
What to do if you cannot renew in person
If you live outside Hawaii and your license is still valid, you can renew by mail as long as it has not expired by more than six months. If your license has expired by more than six months and you are out of state, you will need to return to Hawaii to renew in person — there is no exception for out-of-state residents. Some military members stationed outside Hawaii may have different options; contact the Honolulu office to ask about your situation.
If you are unable to visit an office due to a disability or medical condition, call the Honolulu office at (808) 532-4961 to discuss your options. The office may be able to arrange an accommodation or direct you to a solution. Do not assume you must visit in person — it is worth asking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Hawaii license online?
No. Hawaii does not offer online renewal. You must renew in person at a Driver Licensing Office or by mail if your license expired fewer than six months ago. The mail option is the closest to an online process, but it still requires you to print a form, sign it, and mail it with documents and payment.
What if I lost my license or it was stolen?
A lost or stolen license is not a renewal — it is a replacement. You must visit a Driver Licensing Office in person and bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of your current Hawaii address. There is a replacement fee (different from a renewal fee), and you will receive a temporary paper license while your new one is printed and mailed.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
The office will take a new photo by default. However, you can request to keep your current photo if it is still a good likeness and your license is not expired by more than six months. Ask the staff member at the counter before they take the new photo.
How long is my temporary paper license good for?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it at the Driver Licensing Office. Your permanent license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, so the temporary license is a backup in case the permanent one is delayed in the mail.
What if my new license does not arrive within 10 business days?
Contact the Honolulu Driver Licensing Office at (808) 532-4961 to report the delay. Have your temporary paper license number ready. The office can track your license and reissue it if it was lost in the mail. Do not assume it is lost — mail delivery in Hawaii can take longer than on the mainland, especially to neighbor islands.