How to Renew a Motorcycle License in Hawaii
It is your responsibility to complete a motorcycle license renewal in Hawaii before it expires. A motorcycle license, also referred to as a Class 2 driver’s license, is needed in order to operate a motorcycle in the state. It is very important to ensure that your license does not expire because driving with an expired license will result in consequences such as traffic tickets and fees.
The process for renewing a motorcycle license is very similar to the process for renewing a regular driver’s license and it includes many important steps that you must be aware of before you begin. There are two different methods that can be used to renew a bike license in Hawaii: through the mail and in person.
Also, keep in mind that each county in Hawaii has different requirements for completing the renewal, so ensure that you are familiar with the specific requirements from the county you reside in. To learn more about the steps and costs involved in the Class 2 license renewal, read the sections below.
When to Renew a Motorcycle License in Hawaii
You must renew your motorcycle license before it expires in order to avoid facing any consequences such as paying late penalty fees or needing to apply for a new license. A renewal can be done within six months prior to the expiration date.
Your license expires at 12:00 midnight on the expiration date that is printed on the card. An expired license can be renewed within 90 days after the expiration date for no additional fee. However, if the renewal is not completed before midnight on the 90th day, a reactivation fee of $5.00 must be paid for every 30-day period that the renewal does not take place after that date.
The expired license can still be renewed within one year after the expiration date. If the license is not renewed within that one year, you must apply for a new license as a new applicant.
Eligibility for Motorcycle License Renewal in Hawaii
There are motorcycle renewal requirements that must be considered before a renewal can be completed. To renew your license, you must have a valid Class 2 motorcycle license that has been issued in the state of Hawaii. Also, you must complete the renewal within the appropriate time period which is six months before or one year after expiration.
In addition, you provide documents required to renew a motorcycle license when you apply. These documents or pieces of information include your name, date of birth, Social Security Number and proof of legal presence and principal residence.
Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Motorcycle License in Hawaii
There are certain situations where a Class 2 license renewal is not possible. These situations include:
- Earlier than six months before the expiration.
- Later than one year after the expiration.
- If your license is suspended or revoked.
- If your license has been damaged, lost or stolen. (A replacement must be completed instead.)
How to Renew a Hawaii Motorcycle License by Mail
One common method for renewing a Class 2 license in Hawaii is through the mail. Anyone can renew via mail for up to two consecutive renewals. After you have renewed through the mail two times, you must complete your next renewal in person.
However, resident military personnel and their immediate family may renew through the mail method as many times as necessary if they are residing outside of Hawaii while on military duty.
A mail-in renewal can be done in any county in Hawaii and all of the steps are identical except for the cost of the fees you must pay since those vary by county. Also, you must send your renewal request to the county that issued your license and those addresses are as follows:
Honolulu County
Driver License Section P.O. Box 30340 Honolulu, HI 96820-0340
Hawaii County
Department of Finance Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division Driver License Section 349 Kapiolani Street Hilo, HI 96720
Maui County
Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing 70 East Kaahumanu Avenue, Suite A-17 Kahului, HI 96732-2176
Kauai County
Department of Finance Driver License Division 4444 Rice Street, Suite A480 Līhuʻe, Hi 96766
If you opt to renew through the mail, you must provide certain information. To complete the motorcycle driver’s license renewal, you must follow these steps:
- Request a renewal by mail by sending in a letter with the following information:
- Your full name
- Your Social Security Number and/or driver’s license number
- Your date of birth
- Your phone number or email address
- Your mailing address
- Your signature
- Send the request to the county DMV that issued your license at the appropriate address listed above.
- Receive a renewal packet containing renewal forms and instructions from the driver’s license office in the mail.
- Fill out the Medical Report and Certificate of Eye Examination forms included in the packet completely. Both forms include sections that must be completed by a qualified medical professional.
- Provide the following documentation:
- Proof of name
- Proof of date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Proof of legal presence
- Proof of principal residence
- Provide renewal fee payment.
- Mail the completed renewal packet including the documentation and payment to the same DMV location that sent you the packet.
How to Renew a Hawaii Motorcycle License in Person
If you are curious about where to renew a motorcycle license in HI, it is important to understand that you can either renew by mail or in person. To renew in person, visit a Hawaii DMV office in the county where your license was issued and do the following:
- Provide the following documentation:
- Proof of name
- Proof of date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Proof of legal presence
- Proof of principal residence
- Fill out the Driver License Application form completely.
- Pass a vision exam.
- Provide renewal fee payment.
How to Renew a Motorcycle Permit in Hawaii
You may renew a motorcycle permit only if you take a skills test prior to the expiration of the permit. If your motorcycle permit expired before you took a skills test at least once, you do not qualify for a renewal and you must wait a period of 3 months before applying for a new permit.
Hawaii Motorcycle License Renewal Costs
There is a motorcycle license renewal fee that you must pay regardless of the method that you use to renew your license. However, keep in mind that how much it costs to renew a motorcycle license varies depending on your age and the county.
The fees are as follows:
Honolulu County
- 2 years (Age 72 and older): $10.00
- 4 years (Age 17 – 24): $20.00
- 8 years (Age 25 – 71): $40.00
Hawaii County
- 1 year or less (Any age): $5.00
- 2 years (Age 72 and older): $10.00
- 4 years (Age 18 – 24): $20.00
- 8 years (Age 25 – 71): $40.00
Maui County
- 1 year or less (Any age): $10.00
- 2 years (Age 72 and older): $20.00
- 4 years (Age 16 – 24): $40.00
- 8 years (Age 25 – 71): $80.00
Kaua’i County
- 2 years (Age 72 and older): $8.00
- 4 years (Age 16 – 24): $16.00
- 8 years (Age 25 – 71): $32.00
Hawaii Motorcycle License Renewal Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Motorcycle Operator Manual from HIDOT.hawaii.gov
- Hawaii County Driver Licensing General Information from HawaiiCounty.gov
- County of Maui License Fees from MauiCounty.gov
- Drivers License Division from Kauai.gov