Kauaʻi DMV update answers common questions on driver’s licenses, state IDs, and vehicle services
LĪHUʻE – The County of Kauaʻi Department of Finance is sharing answers to common questions about Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) services while systems continue to be restored following the September 9 Kapule Building fire.
All DMV services on Kauaʻi are unavailable until further notice. Limited DMV staff are available at the portable trailer in Līhuʻe and at the Kapaʻa DMV, located at 4750 Kahau Road at the Kapaʻa Armory, to answer questions and accept certain documents for processing once systems are restored.
When will the DMV reopen?
We do not have a confirmed reopening date at this time. The County’s Information Technology Department is working to rebuild the County server and restore connections to the programs needed to resume DMV services. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Can I take a road test?
Road tests are unavailable on Kauaʻi until further notice.
Can I take a road test on another island?
Yes, road tests are available on other islands, though we recognize that traveling off-island is not a feasible option for every family. We are actively working toward an on-island solution and will share updates as more information becomes available. Anyone considering traveling to another island for a road test should book an appointment in advance to help ensure service availability and review the appropriate county’s website for requirements, including any restrictions on the use of rental vehicles.
Can I renew my driver’s license or state ID card?
No. Driver’s licenses and state ID cards cannot be renewed on Kauaʻi at this time.
My driver’s license, permit, or state ID expired during the closure. Will I be penalized?
No. Under Gov. Josh Green’s Sept. 22 supplemental emergency proclamation, residents who could not renew an otherwise valid driver’s license, permit, or state ID because of the DMV closure have additional time to renew and will not be penalized. This relief is in effect through Nov. 21, 2026, unless extended by the Governor. The relief does not apply to licenses or permits that are suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid.
Commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) are also covered under a separate federal waiver, which extends qualifying credentials through 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2026, or 14 days after DMV services are restored on Kauaʻi, whichever comes first.
I have a commercial driver’s license. What should I know?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a waiver on Sept. 24 for Kauaʻi commercial drivers and their employers. Under the waiver, CDLs and CLPs due for renewal on or after Sept. 9 are extended until the waiver ends. CLP holders do not need to retake knowledge tests. Non-domiciled CDL and CLP holders may also qualify but need additional documentation. Employers who could not complete a driver’s annual motor vehicle record review because of the DMV closure are covered automatically, and no action is needed.
The waiver does not apply to 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, or drivers without a valid medical examiner’s certificate.
For questions about the federal waiver, contact the FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Division at (202) 236-9649 or carlos.dequina@dot.gov.
I lost my driver’s license. Can I get a duplicate?
Yes. Kauaʻi residents can request an exact duplicate driver’s license online through the City and County of Honolulu DMV at https://mydmv.hnl.info/hnldl/duplicates. The fee is $7. Allow up to five weeks for delivery by mail. This option is only for exact duplicates. Changes to a name, residential address, or other personal information cannot be processed this way.
I lost my state ID card. Can I get a duplicate?
Residents may request a duplicate state ID through any DMV office statewide, but an in-person appointment is required. Online duplicate requests are not available for state IDs. Before traveling to another island for DMV services, please book an appointment to help ensure service availability and check the appropriate county’s website for requirements and any restrictions on the use of rental vehicles. Neighboring counties are experiencing high demand and may only be able to accommodate visitors as their capacity permits.
What if I need DMV services that are only available in person?
Other counties cannot process Kauaʻi-specific motor vehicle transactions, as these services are handled by each county. Anyone considering traveling to another island for services should first confirm that the service is available there, book an appointment, and bring all required personal identification and supporting documents.
I submitted documents or payment to the DMV before the fire. How do I know if my transaction was completed?
Unfortunately, staff were unable to retrieve materials from the Kapule Building following the fire, and documents or payments left at or mailed to the office may have been destroyed. The next steps depend on the type of transaction. Please contact the Kauaʻi DMV at (808) 241-1949 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov for guidance.
My registration has been renewed in the system, but my check has not been cashed. Now I cannot use the kiosk. What should I do?
If the system shows that your registration was renewed but your check has not cleared, the check may have been lost in the fire. The DMV is awaiting further direction on how to handle these cases and will provide instructions once available. If a duplicate payment is needed, staff will provide guidance when services resume.
Can I still renew my vehicle registration?
Yes. Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at https://mvr.ehawaii.gov/renewals/kauai/lookup or at self-service kiosks at Western Motors in Hanapēpē, Līhuʻe Safeway, Kapaʻa Safeway, and Princeville Foodland. Registration cards and emblems are mailed in approximately seven to 10 business days.
A current safety check is required. A safety check completed within the past 30 days is also accepted if it failed only because the vehicle registration had expired.
How do I transfer a vehicle title into my name?
Title transfers cannot be completed in person at this time. Residents may mail or drop off the completed title and transfer fee to the County of Kauaʻi DMV, 4444 Rice St., Suite 466, Līhuʻe, HI 96766. Please write your name and phone number on the envelope so staff can contact you if additional information is needed. Transactions will be processed once systems are operational.
I sold my vehicle. How do I submit my Notice of Transfer?
Notices of Transfer may be dropped off at the Kapaʻa DMV. Staff are entering these into the system so records reflect that the vehicle has been sold.
I lost my vehicle title or registration, or never received my registration in the mail. Can I get a duplicate?
Yes. Please complete an application for a duplicate title or registration and submit it with the $10 fee, payable by exact cash or check. Please write your name and phone number on the envelope. Requests will be processed once the DMV system is operational.
I need proof that I am the new owner of a vehicle. Can the DMV issue a letter for my bank, insurance company, or property manager?
The DMV is unable to issue ownership verification letters at this time. However, staff can return the signed title to you so you can use it as proof of ownership.
How do I renew my vehicle registration if my safety check failed only because my registration expired?
A safety check completed within the past 30 days is accepted for online or kiosk registration renewal if the only reason it failed was the expired registration.
Travelers should note that the Transportation Security Administration sets its own identification requirements at airport checkpoints. Visit www.tsa.gov before flying to review current requirements.
Answers to frequently asked questions and the latest updates on County services are available at www.kauairecovers.org.
For more information, please contact the Kauaʻi DMV at (808) 241-1949 or kauaidmv@kauai.gov.
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