HawaiiVehicle.org

Hawaii has a unique approach to vehicle ownership due to its decentralised county-level administration of registration and licensing. The four counties — Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai — each have separate divisions for these services, meaning that both residents and non-residents must research local regulations. The state requires no-fault auto insurance, including minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and liability coverage. Average full-coverage premiums are significantly lower than the national average. Specific state laws regulate the car-buying process, requiring a notarised bill of sale, vehicle title verification and an annual safety inspection. Fees are multi-layered and include a four percent General Excise Tax or Use Tax, as well as various registration fees and weight taxes, which vary by county. Furthermore, the Hawaii Lemon Law offers robust protection for buyers of new vehicles against unrepairable defects.