SR-22 in Hawaii

Checked against official Hawaii sources · Last reviewed October 5, 2026

Hawaii law requires drivers who lose their license over an OVUII (DUI) revocation or certain other convictions to file and keep proof of financial responsibility. This is usually a certificate of insurance filed by your insurer, the kind of filing this site calls an SR-22.

Each county handles it through its police chief or director of finance, not one state DMV. You generally keep the proof for 3 years from the date it was first required. [1][2][6]

Uses SR-22?: Yes (insurer certificate)
How long: 3 years [2]
After a DUI: 3 years [2]
Base reinstatement fee: Not confirmed
Minimum liability coverage: 40/80/20 [3]

Does Hawaii require an SR-22?

Yes. Hawaii's Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (HRS ch. 287) requires certain drivers to file and maintain proof of financial responsibility, usually an insurer's certificate of insurance. [1]

How long do you need an SR-22 in Hawaii?

3 years from the date proof was required, and only if no conviction requiring suspension or revocation was recorded during the preceding 3 years [2]

After a DUI

3 years (same rule as other cases; HRS 287-40 sets no separate period for OVUII revocations) [2]

What does reinstatement cost?

We haven't confirmed this from an official Hawaii source yet. Check with Each county administers the Safety Responsibility Act through its chief of police or director of finance. OVUII administrative revocations go through the state Judiciary's Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO)..

We couldn't confirm whether Hawaii charges its own fee to file an SR-22. Your insurer may charge one.

What coverage do you need?

$40,000 bodily injury per person, $80,000 bodily injury per accident, $20,000 property damage, for policies new or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 (previously 20/40/10) [3]

What happens if your SR-22 lapses?

A certified policy can't be cancelled until at least 10 days after the insurer files a cancellation notice with the administrator. If the certified policy is cancelled or terminated, you must immediately surrender your license, and police can be directed to take it. [4]

Don't own a car?

Yes. The certificate need not list vehicles when the policy is issued to a non-owner, and the law defines a "driver's policy" covering vehicles you don't own. [5]

Who has to file one?

An OVUII (DUI) administrative revocation; a license suspended or revoked upon conviction of an offense; certain juvenile adjudications; convictions for reckless driving, OVUII, driving while suspended, or a moving violation in a crash with injury or over $3,000 damage; and unpaid crash judgments. A first no-insurance conviction within 5 years and ordinary moving violations do not trigger it. [1]

Who handles it

Each county administers the Safety Responsibility Act through its chief of police or director of finance. OVUII administrative revocations go through the state Judiciary's Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO). [6]

Common questions

When can I stop keeping proof of insurance on file?

The county must let you cancel it after 3 years from the date proof was required, but only if no conviction that calls for a suspension or revocation was recorded in the past 3 years. A new qualifying conviction can keep the requirement going longer. [2]

Does a first ticket for driving without insurance require an SR-22?

No. Hawaii law excludes a first no-insurance conviction within 5 years, and ordinary moving violations, from this rule. A moving violation in a crash that causes injury or more than $3,000 in damage does count. [1]

I don't own a car. What can I file?

You can use a driver's policy, which covers you while driving vehicles you don't own. The certificate doesn't have to list any vehicles when you don't own one. [5][7]

What happens if my policy is cancelled?

Your insurer has to file a cancellation notice, and the policy can't end until at least 10 days after that. Once it's cancelled, you must surrender your license right away, and police can be sent to take it. [4]

Did Hawaii's minimum insurance change?

Yes. For policies new or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, Hawaii's minimum liability coverage is $40,000 bodily injury per person, $80,000 per accident, and $20,000 property damage. Before that it was 20/40/10. [3][8]

Sources

HRS § 287-20 Proof of financial responsibility required upon conviction of certain offenses (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 287-40 Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 431:10C-301 Required motor vehicle policy coverage (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 287-41 Surrender of license on violation (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 287-22 Certificate of insurance as proof (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 287-1 Definitions (FindLaw copy of Hawaii Revised Statutes) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
HRS § 287-26 Driver's policy requirements (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
Hawaii DCCA Insurance Division - FAQ: Auto Insurance Minimum Limits (Effective January 1, 2026) (state agency publication, accessed Oct 5, 2026)