What the License Recovery Fund does and who runs it
Hawaii's License Recovery Fund is a state program that helps people reinstate a suspended or revoked driver's license by paying outstanding fines, fees, or restitution owed to the court. The fund does not erase the suspension itself — it pays what you owe so the Hawaii Department of Transportation can lift the suspension once payment clears. The program is administered by the Hawaii Supreme Court's Office of the Public Defender in partnership with the Department of Transportation.
The fund covers traffic-related debt only: unpaid fines from moving violations, court costs, restitution ordered by a judge, and license reinstatement fees. It does not cover child support arrears, criminal fines unrelated to driving, or civil judgments. You must owe money to the state of Hawaii or a Hawaii court — debts to private parties or other states are not covered.
The program exists because a suspended license often makes it harder to work, attend school, or handle family responsibilities, which in turn makes it harder to pay what you owe. By removing that barrier, the fund helps people get back on the road legally while the court still collects the debt.
Key Takeaways
- The License Recovery Fund pays traffic fines and court costs directly to the court so your license suspension can be lifted, but only for debts owed to Hawaii courts.
- You must contact the Hawaii Department of Transportation or the court that suspended your license to find out exactly what you owe and whether you are may be able to access.
- The fund has limited money each year, and once it runs out, the program stops accepting new requests until the next fiscal year.
- Processing takes several weeks after the fund pays the court, so contact the Department of Transportation to confirm your suspension has been lifted before you drive.
How to find out what you owe and whether the fund can help
Start by contacting the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Driver License Division at 808-586-8100 or visit them in person at 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Tell them your name and driver's license number, and ask for a printout of your current suspension status and the exact amount owed. The Department will tell you which court issued the suspension and what debt is attached to it.
Once you know the amount, contact the court that suspended your license directly. The court clerk can confirm whether your debt is may be able to access for the License Recovery Fund — meaning it is a traffic fine, court cost, or restitution order, not a different type of debt. Ask the court clerk for the name and phone number of the fund administrator or the office that handles fund requests.
If your debt is may be able to access and the fund has money available in the current fiscal year, you can move forward with a request. If the fund is out of money, the court clerk will tell you when it reopens — usually at the start of the next fiscal year in July.
The process process and what documents you need
Contact the fund administrator (the court clerk will give you this contact information) and ask for the License Recovery Fund request form. You will need to provide your driver's license number, the case number from your traffic citation or court order, and proof of your current financial hardship. Hardship proof typically means a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer stating your income, a benefit statement, or a signed statement explaining why you cannot pay the debt yourself right now.
The form itself is short — it asks for your personal information, the debt details, and a brief explanation of your situation. You do not need a lawyer, and there is no fee to submit a request. Mail the completed form and your hardship documentation to the address the court provides, or ask whether you can submit it in person or by email.
Keep a copy of everything you send. Write down the date you submitted the form and the name of the person who received it, if possible. This helps you follow up if you do not hear back within a reasonable time.
Timeline and what happens after you submit your request
The court reviews your request and decides whether to approve it. This step typically takes two to four weeks. If approved, the fund pays the court the amount you owe. The court then notifies the Hawaii Department of Transportation that the debt has been satisfied, and the Department processes the suspension lift. This second step usually takes another one to three weeks.
You will receive a letter from the court confirming that the fund paid your debt. Keep this letter. Contact the Department of Transportation after you receive it to confirm that your suspension has been lifted in their system — do not assume it is lifted just because the court paid. The Department can tell you over the phone or you can check online through the Department's website.
Once the Department confirms the suspension is lifted, your license is reinstated and you can drive legally. If your license was physically suspended (taken from you), you will need to visit the Department of Transportation in person to receive a new one or have it reactivated.
What to do if the fund is out of money or your request is denied
If the fund has no money left in the current fiscal year, ask the court when the fund reopens. Most years it reopens on July 1 when the new fiscal year begins. You can submit your request then, or ask whether you can be placed on a waiting list so the court contacts you when money becomes available.
If your request is denied, the court will send you a written explanation. Common reasons for denial include: the debt is not traffic-related, you do not have a current hardship, or the fund ran out of money before your request could be processed. Ask the court whether you can resubmit if your situation changes — for example, if you lose your job and can document that hardship, you may be able to request the fund again.
If you cannot use the License Recovery Fund, you have other options. You can pay the debt directly to the court in full or set up a payment plan. Contact the court that suspended your license and ask about payment plan options. Some courts allow monthly payments as low as $25 to $50, which may be more manageable than paying the full amount at once.
How to avoid future license suspensions
Once your license is reinstated, pay any traffic fines or court costs on time. If you receive a citation, the due date is printed on the ticket. If you cannot pay by that date, contact the court when ready and ask about a payment plan or a continuance (a delay in the due date). Courts are more willing to work with you if you reach out before the important date than if you ignore the ticket.
If you are stopped by police and your license is suspended, you will face additional charges and fines. Driving on a suspended license is a separate offense in Hawaii and can result in arrest, vehicle impound, and a longer suspension. Once your license is reinstated through the fund, treat it as a second chance and keep it valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the License Recovery Fund if my license was suspended for unpaid child support?
No. The License Recovery Fund covers traffic fines and court costs only. Child support debt is handled through a separate system. Contact the Hawaii Child Support Enforcement Agency or the family court that ordered the support to learn about payment options or hardship relief for child support arrears.
What if I owe money to a court in a different state?
The License Recovery Fund covers debt owed to Hawaii courts only. If your suspension is based on an out-of-state debt, contact the court in that state to ask about their own reinstatement programs or payment options. You may also be able to contact the Hawaii Department of Transportation to ask whether the suspension can be lifted if you pay the out-of-state debt directly.
How much money does the License Recovery Fund have each year?
The amount varies by year and depends on the state budget. The fund is not unlimited, so it can run out of money before the fiscal year ends. Contact the court or the Department of Transportation to ask about current fund availability before you submit your request.
Do I need a lawyer to request money from the License Recovery Fund?
No. The request process is straightforward and there is no cost. You fill out a form, provide proof of hardship, and submit it to the court. If you have questions about the form or your may be able to access, the court clerk can answer them for free.
What if I submit a request and never hear back?
Follow up with the court after three weeks. Call the fund administrator or the court clerk and ask about the status of your request. Provide your case number and the date you submitted the form. If the court cannot locate your request, ask whether you need to resubmit it.