(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Hawaii driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your Hawaii driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Hawaii driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Hawaii operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate too many points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Hawaii driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If you refuse to take a chemical test, your license will be taken away from you and will be suspended immediately. If you become a habitual DUI offender, your suspension periods will grow with each conviction. On the third offense, your license will be revoked for five years.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to five years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Hawaii must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Hawaii driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. Racing on the streets and fleeing from the scene of an accident are other reasons.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The county’s DMV can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to the department’s notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.

Having your Hawaii driver’s license suspended is a serious matter and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Driver License Division at any of the 4 counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai.
• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to five years, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Hawaii DMV.
• You can also apply for a conditional license if you wish to drive to work. You must present proof of employment and also establish that losing your license could jeopardize your job. You will also have to prove that an alternative form of transport is not available. If your license was suspended due to DUI and you refuse to take the test, you will not be eligible to apply for a conditional license.

If you live in Honolulu County and your driver’s license was suspended/revoked for a DUI/DWI, to reinstate it you may need to:

• Contact the Hawaii Administrative Revocation office at (808) 534-6800.
• Provide a certified copy of your re-licensing form.
• Provide a certified check or money order payable to “City & County of Honolulu” for the reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License” below.)
• Mail your re-licensing form and payment to

City Square Driver Licensing Office

P.O. Box 30340

Honolulu, HI 96820-0340

For suspensions caused by Insurance/Financial Responsibility Violations, you’ll need to submit a request to the Financial Responsibility Section. You will need to provide: your full name, social security number, date of birth, mailing and permanent address, county, and signature.

Submit your request:

• In person:

Financial Responsibility Section

1199 Dillingham Blvd, A101

Honolulu, HI 96813

• OR By mail:

Financial Responsibility Section

P.O. Box 30340

Honolulu, HI 96820-0340

Your suspended license reinstatement requirements will vary depending on the circumstances of your offense. If you were convicted of a crime, you may also face additional court penalties and fines, including suspensions. To reinstate your Hawaii driver’s license, you may need to:

• File an SR21/SR22/proof of insurance with the HI DMV, if necessary.
• Satisfy your court requirements, if applicable.
• Retake and pass the driving skills and knowledge tests.
• Complete an alcohol education/treatment program, if applicable.
• Complete a driver improvement course, if necessary.
• Pay a restoration fee or licensing fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License” below.) You can also mail a check or money order to the Driver License Division at any of the 4 counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai.
• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.

NOTE: You may also need to visit your local HI DMV office and provide proof of:

• Your legal name and date of birth, with documents such as: U.S. birth certificate, Valid U.S. passport, Military ID.
• Your Social Security number (SSN), with documents such as: Social Security card, State-issued photo ID, W-2 or 1099 form.
• YourS. citizenship or authorized presence, with documents such as: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, foreign passport and I-94.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation website provides a complete list of acceptable documents.

Note: After you license is restored, you will be subject to a probation period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Hawaii driver’s license.

For information about your specific suspension and your reinstatement requirements, contact your Hawaii county DMV:

HONOLULU:

Phone: (808) 532-7730.

E-mail: [email protected].

Fax: (808) 832-2904.

Mail: 

City Square Driver License Section

Attn: Correspondence Desk

O. Box 30340

Honolulu, HI 96820

HAWAII:

Phone: Hilo: (808) 961-2222.

Waimea: (808) 887-3087.

West Hawaii: (808) 323-4800.

Naalehu: (808) 854-7214.

E-mail: [email protected].

KAUAI:

Phone: (808) 241-4256.

MAUI:

Phone: (808) 270-7363.

E-mail: [email protected].

Your reinstatement and licensing fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your driver’s license suspension. Below are general fees that may apply to you.

• Reinstatement: $20.
• Knowledge test: Hawaii County: $1. Honolulu County: $2.
• Road skills test: Hawaii County: $10. Honolulu County: $8.
• 2-year driver’s license (72 years old and up): $10.
• 4-year driver’s license (19-24 years old): $20.
• 8-year driver’s license (25-71 years old): $40.

NOTE: Fees may vary by county.

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PAYMENT

The Hawaii DMV accepts the following forms of payment for your suspended license reinstatement: cash, checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks. You currently cannot pay with a credit/debit card.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. The duration of your commercial driver’s license disqualification may vary depending on the reason for your suspension. If you were convicted of a crime, you may face court penalties and fines in addition to DMV disqualifications.

Your CDL and commercial driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations, including disqualifications lasting:

• 1 year for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol (BAC of 0.04% or higher) and drug-related offenses.
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
• Hit and runs and leaving the scene of a truck accident.
• Involving your commercial vehicle in a felony.
• 3 years for a 1st violation of a major offense while transporting hazardous materials.
• A lifetime for a 2nd violation of a major offense.
• 60 to 120 days for multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 60 to 120 days for railroad highway grade crossing violations.

For more information on CDL traffic offenses that may lead to suspensions, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

By law, you must notify your employer:

• Within 30 days of receiving a conviction for a traffic offense.
• By the end of the next business day after receiving a disqualification notice, if your CDL is suspended, disqualified, revoked or cancelled.
• For information about your specific suspension and reinstatement requirements, contact your Hawaii county DMV. (See phone numbers and e-mail addresses)

Your CDL can also be disqualified for non-commercial vehicle violations. For more information, please see “Suspended License Information for Hawaii” above.

Traffic violations and accidents may lead to a disqualification of your CDL and points on your Hawaii driving record. You can order your driving record to check your commercial driver’s license status, view details about your traffic offenses, and check actions taken against your CDL. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.