How to get your license reinstated in Hawaii

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

In Hawaii, each county runs driver licensing. The county's chief of police or director of finance handles proof of insurance after a suspension, and the state Judiciary's Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO) handles OVUII (DUI) revocations. Start with your county's driver licensing office to learn what you still owe. [1][2][3]

SR-22 required?

Yes

Base reinstatement fee

Not confirmed

Keep SR-22 for

3 years

Step by step

1. Find out what you need to reinstate

   Ask your county for your reinstatement requirements. In Honolulu, send a signed written request to the Driver's License Section by mail or fax, or call 808-768-9100. On Kauai, you must check your financial responsibility record in person, with ID, at the Financial Responsibility Section. [2][3]

   Driver's License FAQ ↗

2. Serve the full suspension or revocation

   You can't drive during a suspension, or after a revocation, until you get a new license. That includes driving on a license from another state. After a court revokes your license, you can't apply for a new one until the revocation period ends. [4][5]

3. Have your insurer file proof of insurance, if required

   An OVUII revocation, a suspension or revocation on conviction of an offense, convictions like reckless driving or driving while suspended, and unpaid crash judgments require proof of financial responsibility, usually a certificate filed by your insurer. Kauai County calls it the SR-22 form and says to get it from your insurance company, not the county. You keep it for 3 years from the date proof was required, as long as no conviction requiring suspension or revocation is recorded in that time. [3][6][7]

4. Pay the county reinstatement fee

   Fees differ by county. Kauai's fee chart lists $60 to reinstate a regular license. Honolulu lists a $20 reinstatement fee, paid by certified check or money order to "City and County of Honolulu," to clear an OVUII revocation by mail if you are out of state. [2][8]

5. Keep your insured policy in force

   Your insurer can't cancel a certified policy until at least 10 days after it files a cancellation notice. If the policy is canceled or ends, you must surrender your license right away. [9][10]

6. Confirm your record is clear before you drive

   Ask your county driver licensing office to confirm that every requirement on your record is met. Don't drive until you have a valid license again. [2][4]

   Driver's License FAQ ↗

After an OVUII (DUI) arrest

1. Send ADLRO your side quickly

   You have 3 calendar days (17 for a drug offense) from the date of your notice of administrative revocation to send ADLRO written reasons your license shouldn't be revoked. If the officer gave you a temporary permit, it lets you drive for 30 days (44 for a drug offense). [11]

   ADLRO Frequently Asked Questions ↗

2. Request a hearing, if you want one

   For the earliest hearing, ADLRO must receive your request within 6 calendar days of the review decision. Requests made more than 60 days after your notice generally won't get a hearing. The hearing fee is $30, non-refundable, paid by cash, check, or money order to "State Director of Finance," and you can ask for a waiver if you can't afford it. [11][12]

3. Get an ignition interlock permit to drive during the revocation

   To drive during an OVUII revocation, you must install an approved ignition interlock device at your own cost. To qualify for the permit, you must have had a valid license when arrested, and you need the device installation agreement, proof of insurance, and the permit application. [11]

4. Complete the assessment and get a relicensing form

   Everyone revoked for OVUII must complete a substance abuse assessment through the Division of Driver Education. Your license is never returned, so once you meet all ADLRO requirements, ask ADLRO for a relicensing form and take it to your county driver licensing office. With an interlock permit you can get the form up to 30 days before the revocation ends; without one, up to one week before. [11]

5. Expect to file proof of insurance for 3 years

   An OVUII administrative revocation requires proof of financial responsibility. You keep it for 3 years from the date proof was required, as long as no conviction requiring suspension or revocation is recorded in that time. [6][7]

Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm your own requirements 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). before you drive.

SR-22 rules in Hawaii · If your SR-22 lapses · Reinstatement in other states

Sources

1. HRS § 287-1 Definitions (FindLaw copy of Hawaii Revised Statutes) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
2. City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services - Driver's License FAQ (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
3. County of Kauai - Financial Responsibility Section (Drivers Licensing) (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
4. HRS § 286-122 Suspension of a license; surrender (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
5. HRS § 286-126 Period of suspension or revocation (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
6. HRS § 287-20 Proof of financial responsibility required upon conviction of certain offenses (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
7. HRS § 287-40 Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
8. County of Kauai - Driver License Fee Chart (official agency page, accessed Oct 6, 2026)
9. HRS § 287-41 Surrender of license on violation (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
10. HRS § 287-33 Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
11. Hawaii State Judiciary - ADLRO Frequently Asked Questions (official agency page, accessed Oct 5, 2026)
12. HRS § 291E-38 Administrative hearing; procedure (FindLaw) (statute, accessed Oct 6, 2026)