Registration records of all vehicles/motorcycles/trailers in Hawaii must be updated annually.

Annual fees are defined by HRS 249 and are based on the vehicle weight and usage. They are computed by the Treasury Division, Motor Vehicle Section.

Vehicle Location Certificate - Section 249-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, require that the registration taxes and fees be paid by the owner of eahc vehicle in the county in which the vehicle is physically located at the time of registration.

Deadline for registering vehicles is the last working day of the expiration month of the current registration. However, if the registration expiration date occurs on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the delinquent renewal penalty fee will not be charged until after the next working day. (HRS 249)

Penalty will be assessed if fees are not paid on or before the expiration date. The penalty shall be 20% of the County Weight Tax and 20% of the State Weight Tax. (HRS 249)

Paying by mail or in person, the following payment types are accepted:

• Cash or check (drawn in U.S. funds), money order, or cashier's check (made out to "Director of Finance").
  There is a $30.00 service fee for returned checks.
• Credit or debit cards are accepted only for online renewals and kiosk renewals.

Important Documents

• Proof of Hawaii motor vehicle insurance is required to obtain a Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI)
• Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI) sticker and certificate is necessary to operate a vehicle on all Hawaii roads and for all vehicle ownership-registration transactions. Safety Inspection Information

Non-resident active duty military personnel must submit a properly completed Non-Resident Certificate, Form DF-L(MVR) 50 and safety inspection for each registration, renewal or transfer transaction.

*Form DF-L(MVR) 50 is available from your military personnel office or your military unit.

Mopeds: $27.50 flat registration fee and safety check with your renewal notice or current registration

Change of address is common between Motor Vehicle Registrations. Residents are strongly encouraged to notify the Motor Vehicle Licensing office within 30 days of a mailing address change. This ensures reminders of vehicle registration will be sent to the correct address. Residents may also visit the County's Motor Vehicle Licensing offices to update their mailing address. Notice of Change of Address

The Notice of Change of Address form can be mailed in to our office; emailed to kauaimvr@kauai.gov, placed in the drop box outside of the office or processed in person with an appointment Book Your Appointment.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

ALL OPTIONS FOR REGISTRATION RENEWALS WILL REQUIRE:

• THE CLEARANCE OF ALL HOLDS
• COMPLETION OF A PERIODIC MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION (PMVI)

Community Based Kiosks:

Please follow the kiosk instructions to renew your registration.

Kiosks are found at:

• Lihue Safeway (4454 Nuhou St. Lihue, HI 96766)
• Kapaa Safeway (4-831 Kuhio Hwy. Kapaa, HI 96746)
• Ishihara Market (9894 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, HI 96796)

To map the community based kiosks   https://hawaiidmvnowkiosk.com/kauai-county/

• Scan the bar code found on your registration renewal notice or
  • Type in your vehicle license plate number into the kiosk. 
  • Payment can be made with all major credit cards or debit/credit cards. 
  • The kiosk will instantly print your registration card with emblem upon confirmation of payment.
  • If experiencing errors, please follow the instructions on the kiosk.or
  • For additional assistance please email:  kauaimvr@kauai.gov

Online:

• Pay your car registration on line @ https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/lookup.html?county=kauai
• Please follow the online instructions to renew your registration. 
• Your registration card with emblem will be mailed to you in approximately 7-10 business days.

Drop Box:

• Located outside of the DMV (Kapule Bldg.) on the wall. 
• Please place your renewal notice and form of payment in an envelope in the drop box.  Please ensure that you have a valid safety check and all holds have been cleared before submitting or the renewal will be rejected until they are completed.
• Mail will be received that business day and your registration card with emblem will be mailed to you in approximately 7-10 business days.

Pay by mail:

• Please mail your registration renewal notice and payment made out to (Director of Finance) to:

County of Kauai
Department of Finance
Treasury Division (MVR)
4444 Rice St., Suite # 466
Lihue, HI 96766-1340

• Your registration card with emblem will be mailed to you in approximately 7-10 business days.

In person:

• With an appointment Book Your Appointment. 

• Bring your renewal notice or your current registration and form of payment (Cash or Check Only) to your appointment. Please ensure that you have a valid safety check and all holds have been cleared before submitting or the renewal will be rejected until they are completed.
• Your registration card and emblem will be given to you upon completion of the transaction.