Moving to Hawaii: transferring your license
The steps in plain English. Each one links to the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services – Driver Licensing (Hawaii licenses are issued by the four counties) page it came from. Last checked Nov 15, 2026.
Book an AlohaQ appointment at a Driver Licensing Center.
Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Bring your valid out-of-state license and original identity, legal presence and Hawaii address documents.
Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Pass the vision test to get a comparable Hawaii license.
Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Surrender your old license, which is returned to the issuing state.
Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026If your old license is expired or lost, take the written and road tests instead.
Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Check before you go: requirements and fees change, and some depend on your age or situation. The official page is the final word.
Related facts
- New residents
- State law exempts drivers 18 or older carrying a valid license from another U.S. state, territory or Canadian province. No transfer deadline was found on official pages.Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Tests for new residents
- With a valid U.S., territory or Canadian license, you only pass a vision test to get a comparable Hawaii license. Out-of-state transfers require age 18+.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Expired or lost out-of-state license
- It can't be transferred. You must pass the written and road tests.Source: honolulu.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
More in the Hawaii guide
Official Hawaii links
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