What You Need to Send Hawaii

To renew your Hawaii driver's license by mail, you send the state a completed form, your current license, and a check or money order. Hawaii's Department of Transportation will process your renewal at their office in Honolulu, then mail your new license back to you. The whole process takes about four to six weeks from the day they receive your packet.

You can only use mail renewal if your license is not expired yet, or expired less than two years ago. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to renew in person at a driver licensing office instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail renewal requires form DL 43, your current license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee, which varies based on how many years you are renewing for.
  • You must mail everything to the Hawaii Department of Transportation in Honolulu; there is no online mail-in option through a third-party service.
  • Processing takes four to six weeks after the state receives your packet, so plan ahead if you need your license by a specific date.
  • Your license must not be expired more than two years; if it is, you cannot renew by mail and must visit a driver licensing office in person.
  • Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail so you have proof the state received your packet.

Get the Correct Form and Fill It Out

read or request form DL 43 from the Hawaii Department of Transportation website. This is the renewal process form for all driver's licenses. Fill in your name, address, date of birth, and current license number. Sign and date the form — an unsigned form will delay your renewal.

If your address has changed since your last license was issued, write your new address on the form. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you will need to renew in person instead and bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change.

Gather Your Current License and Payment

Include your current Hawaii driver's license in the envelope. The state will keep it and issue you a new one. You will also need to pay the renewal fee. The fee depends on how many years you are renewing for — typically three, five, or eight years. Check the Hawaii Department of Transportation website or call them at 808-532-4500 to confirm the exact fee for the renewal period you want, because fees can change.

Pay by check or money order only. Do not send cash. Make the check or money order payable to "State of Hawaii." Write your driver's license number on the back of the check or money order so the state can match it to your process.

Mail Your Packet to the Right Address

Mail your completed form DL 43, current license, and payment to:

Hawaii Department of Transportation Driver Licensing Division P.O. Box 541 Honolulu, HI 96809

Use regular first-class mail or certified mail. Certified mail costs a few dollars more but gives you a tracking number and proof that the state received your packet. Keep a copy of your form and a record of what you mailed. The state does not send a confirmation when they receive your packet, so certified mail is your only way to verify they got it.

Do not mail your packet to a driver licensing office location — those offices do not process mail renewals. Everything goes to the P.O. Box in Honolulu.

What Happens While You Wait

After the Hawaii Department of Transportation receives your packet, they will process your renewal. This takes about four to six weeks. You will not receive a temporary license or confirmation number — you straightforward wait for your new license to arrive in the mail.

If there is a problem with your process, the state may contact you by phone or mail. If you provided a phone number on your form and they call with a question, answer it right away so your renewal does not get delayed further. If they mail you a letter asking for more information, respond within the timeframe they give you.

What to Do If Your License Arrives Damaged or Wrong

Open your new license as soon as it arrives and check that your name, address, date of birth, and license number are correct. If anything is wrong, contact the Hawaii Department of Transportation at 808-532-4500 and explain the error. They can issue a corrected license by mail at no additional cost.

If your license arrives damaged, torn, or unreadable, call the same number. The state will send you a replacement. Keep the damaged license in case they ask you to return it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Hawaii license by mail if I live outside Hawaii?

Yes. Mail renewal is available to anyone with a current or recently expired Hawaii license, regardless of where you live. Use the same mailing address in Honolulu. Your new license will be mailed to whatever address you provide on form DL 43.

What if I do not have a check or money order?

You cannot renew by mail without a check or money order. If you do not have access to either, you will need to renew in person at a driver licensing office on Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or debit card in person.

How long does it take to get my license after I mail it in?

Processing takes four to six weeks after the state receives your packet. Add time for your packet to travel through the mail. If you need your license by a specific date, mail your packet at least eight weeks before that date to account for mail delays.

Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?

Yes, as long as your current license is not expired. You can drive on your old license until your new one arrives. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid.

What if my license expired more than two years ago?

You cannot renew by mail. You must visit a driver licensing office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test. Contact the Hawaii Department of Transportation at 808-532-4500 to find the office nearest you.