Federal waiver offers relief for commercial drivers during Kauaʻi DMV outage
LĪHUʻE – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted a three-month waiver to help Kauaʻi commercial drivers and their employers while driver’s license services remain unavailable following the Sept. 9 Kapule Building fire.
The waiver, issued Sept. 24, allows the State and the County of Kauaʻi Division of Motor Vehicles to extend commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) that came due for renewal on or after Sept. 9. It also gives employers relief from required annual driving record reviews they could not complete because of the closure.
· CDLs and CLPs: Commercial licenses and learner’s permits that came due for renewal on or after Sept. 9 may be extended until the waiver ends. Learner’s permit holders would not need to retake knowledge tests.
· Non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs: These may also be extended, with additional documentation requirements. Call the DMV for details.
· Employers: Motor carriers that could not complete a driver’s annual motor vehicle record review because of the DMV closure are covered automatically. No action is needed.
· Who is not covered: Drivers whose privileges are suspended or disqualified, drivers under a federal imminent hazard order, drivers barred from safety-sensitive duties under federal drug and alcohol rules, and drivers without a valid medical examiner’s certificate.
· How long it lasts: The waiver took effect Sept. 9 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2026, or 14 days after DMV services are restored on Kauaʻi, whichever comes first.
· Expired licenses, permits and State IDs: Under Gov. Josh Green’s Sept. 22 supplemental emergency proclamation, residents who could not renew because of the DMV closure have extra time and will not be penalized through Nov. 21, 2026. This does not apply to licenses that are suspended, revoked or invalid for other reasons.
· Renewals are still on hold: Driver’s license and State ID transactions cannot be processed on Kauaʻi until the County’s connection to the state mainframe is restored. There is no firm date yet.
· No need to fly to another island: Call the DMV at 808-241-1949. Staff are also available at the mobile trailer in the Līhuʻe Civic Center parking lot and at the Kapaʻa Armory, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
· Vehicle registration: Renewals are available online at mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai/lookup and at community kiosks in Hanapēpē, Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa and Princeville.
If you need an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact 808-241-1949 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
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