A REAL ID-compliant card is an accepted form of ID for domestic air travel and accessing Federal facilities. The City and County of Honolulu offers REAL ID-federal compliant driver licenses and state ID cards marked with a star in a gold circle.
All Hawaii issued driver licenses and ID cards, with or without the star in a gold circle, are fully compliant with federal requirements until May 7, 2025. There is no rush to acquire a Real ID if your current Real ID is not nearing expiration.
When it’s time for you to renew your state ID you will need to download and complete a state of Hawaii Application.
If you have not already done so, you will need to submit original documents for proof of legal residence, social security number, and two documents to show Hawaii residency. For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
(Note: Effective June 18, 2021, presenting Social Security Number (SSN) documentation is optional.)
By law, an individual cannot hold a REAL ID-compliant state ID card and REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. You may hold only one REAL ID-compliant card.
Apply for a duplicate license at any City and County of Honolulu Driver Licensing Center and pay the $6.00 duplicate license fee. Bring your current valid driver’s license and a completed driver’s license application indicating you wish to designate your driver’s license as your REAL ID-compliant card. If you have not already done so, bring your original documents providing proof of identity and Hawaiʻi residency.
Please note: by law, an individual cannot hold a REAL ID-compliant state ID card and REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. You may hold only one REAL ID-compliant card. When you designate your driver’s license as your REAL ID-compliant card, you will not be eligible to apply for a new state ID card. If you have an existing Hawaii state ID card, it will not be eligible for renewal upon expiration.
If you have previously selected a star in a gold circle on your Hawaii state ID card or an identification card issued by another jurisdiction, you will be required to surrender it without refund.
You are eligible to renew your Class 1, 2 or 3 license by mail only under the following conditions:If you are eligible, please send a letter requesting to renew your Hawaii Driver’s License. To process the application, the following information must be included in your letter:
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
You may also email your signed and dated letter to dl@honolulu.gov or fax it to (808) 768-9096.
Once your letter, email or fax is received, we will mail/email a renewal packet to you with the appropriate instructions. Complete and return all of the forms. Please visit the Document Guide page or this document for detailed information about the acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license.
Please note that a Real ID-compliant driver’s license cannot be mailed out of state. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service and the city’s Department of Customer Services will not forward it to a different address. If your current mailing address is not in Hawaii, your driver’s license will be converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License. Once your driver’s license is converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License, it cannot be renewed by mail again. A Limited Purpose Driver’s License is just for the purpose of driving, is not REAL-ID compliant, and cannot be used for federal purposes such as entering federal facilities or boarding an airplane.
Send us a letter requesting a duplicate of your Hawaii Driver’s License if it has been lost or stolen. You will be sent a duplicate driver’s license to the current mailing address in Hawaii.
To process your application, the following information must be included in your letter:
Driver’s License Section
P.O. Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
You may also email your signed and dated letter to dl@honolulu.gov or fax it to (808) 768-9096.
For requests received by fax or email, please make arrangements to have someone pay on your behalf the fee amount at our main driver’s license processing office at Kapalama Hale, 925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 101, Honolulu, HI 96817
Please note that a Real ID-compliant driver’s license cannot be mailed out of state. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service and the city’s Department of Customer Services will not forward it to a different address. If your current mailing address is not in Hawaii, your driver’s license will be converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License. Once your driver’s license is converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License, it cannot be renewed by mail again. A Limited Purpose Driver’s License is just for the purpose of driving, is not REAL-ID compliant, and cannot be used for federal purposes such as entering federal facilities or boarding an airplane.
To convert your provisional to a full license, you must be at least 17 years old and must have held the provisional license for at least six months. You are eligible to convert a provisional license by mail provided you do not have temporary lawful status in the United States, your social security number is successfully reverified, there are no compliance requirements pending in another jurisdiction, and the Real ID supporting documents that were presented are still valid when the provisional license was issued after May 1, 2014. Please send us a letter requesting the conversion of your provisional license to a full Hawaii Driver’s License.
All of the following information must be included in your letter in order for us to process your application:
Driver’s License Section
P.O. Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
You may also email your signed and dated letter to dl@honolulu.gov or fax it to (808) 768-9096.
Once your letter, email or fax is received, we will mail a packet to you with the appropriate instructions to complete the application process. You must complete and return all of the forms.
Please note that a Real ID-compliant driver’s license cannot be mailed out of state. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service and the city’s Department of Customer Services will not forward it to a different address. If your current mailing address is not in Hawaii, your driver’s license will be converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License. Once your driver’s license is converted to a Limited Purpose Driver’s License, it cannot be renewed by mail again. A Limited Purpose Driver’s License is just for the purpose of driving, is not REAL-ID compliant, and cannot be used for federal purposes such as entering federal facilities or boarding an airplane.
Please send us a letter requesting a verification of your Hawaii Driver’s License or Instruction Permit and include the following information:
Driver’s License Section
P.O. Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
You may also email your signed and dated letter to dl@honolulu.gov or fax it to (808) 768-9096.
If you are not planning to drive during the time it takes to process the duplicate driver’s license, which is about 3 – 5 business days before you would receive a temporary driver’s license and 6 – 8 weeks to receive the permanent plastic license, you may want to apply for an exact replacement online here. By appointment only, you can apply for your duplicate driver’s license at any Driver Licensing Center or select Satellite City Hall (Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge, or Windward City). Please fill out a driver’s license application form and bring your current valid driver’s license if it was not lost or stolen. If your license is lost or stolen, please bring a photo identification. Any changes to the information on your existing driver’s license will require further documentation. For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document. The fee for a duplicate driver’s license is $6.00.
To convert your provisional to a full license, you must be 17 years old and must have held the provisional license for six months.
Please submit your provisional license and if not already submitted, the original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Documents). For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
You need to complete an application form (check the renewal box) and pass the eye test. The fee is $20.00 for a 4 year-license.
You can renew your expired Hawaii driver’s license within 90 days with no penalties. After 90 days, a $5 late fee is assessed for every month (even partial months). After one year past the expiration date, you must start over and take the written test as well as the road test. Under state law, an expired license is invalid for driving.
Please provide original documents that show proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Naturalization Certificate, Court Documents). For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
NOTE: Any license issued to applicants with temporary lawful status may be renewed up to 90 days after expiration. Thereafter, the applicant shall be treated as a new applicant for a license.
The earliest you can renew your license is six months before the expiration date.
Make an online appointment to visit the Driver Licensing Center or select Satellite City Hall (Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Windward City, and Pearlridge) of your choice. Complete the driver’s license application, bring it and your current driver’s license and provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence, social security number and two (2) proofs of principal address. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change (e.g. Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Documents). For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a driver’s license, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
You may renew six (6) months before the license expiration date and have a grace period of 90 days after the license expiration date without penalty. A reactivation fee of $5 per 30 days or fraction thereof will be assessed after the 90 days.
Click here to see fee table.
Click here to view locations for driver’s license and state ID renewals, duplicates, and other services.
Please click HERE for more Driver’s License information/location.
Please visit our Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program webpage.
A signed written request is required in order to obtain information regarding your driving privilege/license reinstatement. You must mail or fax your request to:
Driver’s License Section Attn: Correspondence Desk P O Box 30340 Honolulu, HI 96820Phone: (808) 768-9100 (for general information)
Fax: (808) 768-9096
Please include the following information in your request:
If you are not on Oahu, a signed written request is required in order to obtain information regarding your financial responsibility requirements to reinstate your driving privilege/license reinstatement. You must mail or fax your request to:
Financial Responsibility Section
P O Box 30340
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
Phone: (808) 768-9200 (for general information)
Fax: (808) 768-9098
Please include the following information in your request:
Responses will be mailed to you unless a fax or email is requested. For a response by fax or email, provide the area code + fax number or email address in your request.
If you are on Oahu, you must submit your request in person and present a valid identification between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to the Financial Responsibility Section located in the Kapalama Driver Licensing Center, 925 Dillingham Blvd, Suite 101,Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Please check-in no later than 3:30 p.m. This will allow us an ample amount of time to research your records, process your request and answer all of your questions before the end of our normal end of day processing time of 4:00 p.m.
If you have a medical condition, which may affect your fitness to drive safely, you are required to submit state of Hawaii, DOT Medical Report form completed by your doctor for review by the Medical Advisory Board (MAB). The MAB will determine your fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely. The Medical Report Form is available at all Driver Licensing Center locations and Satellite City Halls.
Please complete and sign a Change of Address form. You must also provide two forms of documentation to prove your new Hawaii Principal Residence Address. Click here to read the section on Acceptable Documents for Hawaii Principal Residence Address for detailed instructions and a list of commonly used documents.
Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
You need to visit the nearest driver licensing center and complete an application for a type 2 permit. Please provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. ( Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Naturalization Certificate, Court Documents). You will be required to successfully complete both the general knowledge and motorcycle tests. Upon passing the eye test and the written test, you will be issued a type 2 temporary permit. The fees are: $2 for each of the written test and $5 for the permit. We will let you know more information about the road test after passing the written test. Upon completion of all verification checks, your plastic permit will be mailed to you. Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for delivery by mail.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
You need to visit the nearest driver licensing center and complete an application for a type 3 (car) permit. Please provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Naturalization Certificate, Court Documents). You will be required to successfully complete a general knowledge test. Upon passing the eye test and the written test, you will be issued a temporary type 3 permit. Upon completion of all verification checks, your plastic permit will be mailed to you. Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for delivery by mail.
Click here to see fee table.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain an instruction/learner’s permit, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
You have to be 15 1/2 years old to apply for an instruction permit. You have to present your original U.S. birth certificate and original social security card. If you were born outside the U.S. you will be required to provide additional documents that prove legal presence. If you have a foreign birth certificate, the certificate must be translated by a translator authorized by the Driver’s Licensing Section. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Naturalization Certificate, Court Documents). Both parents listed on the birth certificate are required to submit form CSL239 Parental Consent Affidavit. If parents are unable to accompany minor applicant, the absent parent(s) may sign and have the Parental Consent Affidavit form notarized. You are required to hold your instruction permit for a minimum of 180 days and must present your driver education certification before you are eligible to take the road test.
Click here to see fee table.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain an instruction/learner’s permit, please consult our interactive Documents Guide or download this document.
Unless you have a Social Security Number, you are required to visit the Social Security office and apply for a number. If you are not eligible to receive a social security number, please advise the Social Security office that you are applying for a driver’s license and they will give you the not-eligible verification letter to submit to the nearest driver licensing office. When you visit the driver licensing center you will be required to complete an application for a type 3 (car) instruction permit. Please provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number (if a social security number has been issued to you). Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Documents). All documents must be translated into the English language. You will be required to successfully complete a general knowledge test. Upon passing the eye test and the written test, you will be issued a temporary type 3 permit which will reflect an expiration date which will be the same expiration date of your legal stay in the United States. Upon completion of all verification checks, your plastic permit will be mailed to you. Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for delivery by mail.
Click here to see fee table.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain an instruction permit, please visit the Document Guide page or download this document.
Unless you have a Social Security Number, you are required to visit the Social Security office and apply for a number. If you are not eligible to receive a social security number, please advise the Social Security office that you are applying for a driver’s license and they will give you the not-eligible verification letter to submit to the nearest driver licensing office. When you visit the driver licensing center you will be required to complete an application for a type 3 (car) instruction permit. Please provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number (if a social security number has been issued to you). Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Documents). All documents must be translated into the English language. You will be required to successfully complete a general knowledge test. Upon passing the eye test and the written test, you will be issued a temporary type 3 permit which will reflect an expiration date which will be the same expiration date of your legal stay in the United States. Upon completion of all verification checks, your plastic permit will be mailed to you. Please allow approximately six to eight weeks for delivery by mail.
Click here to see fee table.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain an instruction permit, please visit the Document Guide page or download this document.
You need to visit the nearest driver licensing center or designated satellite city hall (Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge, or Windward City) with your instruction permit and provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Court Documents). You may renew 30 days before the permit expiration date and have a grace period of 90 days after the permit expiration date without being required to retake the general knowledge test. For minors, if you renew your permit 31 through 90 days after the permit expiration date, your road test eligibility date will be 180 days from the date of issuance of your renewed permit.
Click here to see fee table.
For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to renew an instruction permit, please visit the Document Guide page or download this document.
If you are not planning to drive during the time it takes to process the duplicate instruction permit, which is about 3 – 5 business days before you would receive a temporary instruction permit and 6 – 8 weeks to receive the permanent plastic instruction permit, you may want to apply for an exact replacement online here. By appointment only, you can apply for your duplicate instruction permit at any Driver Licensing Center or select Satellite City Hall (Downtown, Hawaii Kai, Pearlridge, or Windward City). Please fill out a driver’s license application form and bring your current valid instruction permit if it was not lost or stolen. If your instruction permit is lost or stolen, please bring a photo identification. Any changes to the information on your existing instruction permit will require further documentation. For assistance with identifying acceptable supporting documents required to obtain a duplicate instruction permit, please visit the Document Guide page or download this document. The fee for a duplicate instruction permit is $6.00.
There is no limit on the number of times that an applicant can renew an instruction permit, as long as the applicant renews within 30 days of the expiration date, and the permit has not been expired more than 90 days. Once a permit has been expired for more than 90 day, applicants are required to retake the written test. Minors who renew a permit 31 through 90 days after its expiration date are eligible to take the road test 180 day after getting the permit renewed.
Create an appointment for an Instruction Permit Initial (Written Test) service at the Kapalama Driver Licensing Center and complete an application for a type 3 (car) permit. Please provide original documents that provide proof of identity, legal presence and social security number. Names must be the same on all documents. If you have a name change and the names on your documents are not the same, you must also submit the original document that verifies your name change. (Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Naturalization Certificate, Court Documents).
The clerk will schedule the oral test manually, either on a Tuesday for a oral phone translation, or a Thursday for an oral classroom test in English.
The $10 fee will be collected on the day of the oral test appointment.
Provisions may be available for an oral examination (restrictions may apply). Call (808) 768-9100 or email dl.sid.help@honolulu.gov for more information.
