Registration of Vehicles

HRS div. 1, tit. 17, ch. 286, pt. III

in effect

HRS §286-41 Application for registration; full faith and credit to current certificates; this part not applicable to certain equipment

286-41. Application for registration; full faith and credit to current certificates; this part not applicable to certain equipment (a) Every owner of a motor vehicle that is to be operated upon the public highways shall, for each vehicle owned, except as herein otherwise provided and except as provided in section 286-42(c), apply to the director of finance of the county where the vehicle is to be operated, for the registration thereof. If a vehicle is moved to another county and is to be operated upon the public highways of that county, the existing certificate of registration shall be valid until its expiration date, at which time the owner shall apply to the director of finance of the county in which the vehicle is then located for the registration of the vehicle, whether or not the owner is domiciled in the county or the owner's principal place of business is in that county, except that this provision shall not apply to vehicles that are temporarily transferred to another county for a period of not more than three months. (b) [Subsection effective until June 30, 2025. For subsection effective July 1, 2025, see below.] Application for the registration of a vehicle shall be made upon the appropriate form furnished by the director of finance and shall contain the name, occupation, and address of the owner and legal owner; and, if the applicant is a member of the United States naval or military forces, the applicant shall give the organization and station. All applications shall also contain a description of the vehicle, including the name of the maker; the type of fuel for the use of which it is adapted, such as gasoline, diesel oil, liquefied petroleum gas; the serial or motor number; the date first sold by the manufacturer or dealer; a further description of the vehicle as is called for in the form; and other information as may be required by the director of finance, to establish legal ownership. A person applying for initial registration of a neighborhood electric vehicle shall certify in writing that a notice of the operational restrictions applying to the vehicle as provided in section 291C-134 are contained on a permanent notice attached to or painted on the vehicle in a location that is in clear view of the driver. (b) [Subsection effective July 1, 2025. For subsection effective until June 30, 2025, see above.] Application for the registration of a vehicle shall be made upon the appropriate form furnished by the director of finance and shall contain the name, occupation, and address of the owner and legal owner; and, if the applicant is a member of the United States naval or military forces, the applicant shall give the organization and station. All applications shall also contain a description of the vehicle, including: the name of the maker; the type of fuel for the use of which it is adapted, such as gasoline, diesel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, or battery electricity; the serial or motor number; the date first sold by the manufacturer or dealer; a further description of the vehicle as is called for in the form; and other information as may be required by the director of finance, to establish legal ownership. A person applying for initial registration of a neighborhood electric vehicle shall certify in writing that a notice of the operational restrictions applying to the vehicle as provided in section 291C-134 are contained on a permanent notice attached to or painted on the vehicle in a location that is in clear view of the driver. (c) If the vehicle to be registered is specially constructed, reconstructed, or rebuilt; is a special interest vehicle; or is an imported vehicle, this fact shall be stated in the application and upon the registration of the special interest motor vehicle and imported motor vehicle, which has been registered until that time in any other state or county, and the owner shall surrender to the director of finance the certificates of registration or other evidence of a form of registration as may be in the applicant's possession or control. The director of finance shall grant full faith and credit to the currently valid certificates of title and registration describing the vehicle, the ownership thereof, and any liens noted thereon, issued by any title state or county in which the vehicle was last registered. The acceptance by the director of finance of a certificate of title or of registration issued by another state or county, as provided in this subsection, in the absence of knowledge that the certificate is forged, fraudulent, or void, shall be a sufficient determination of the genuineness and regularity of the certificate and of the truth of the recitals therein, and no liability shall be incurred by any officer or employee of the director of finance by reason of so accepting the certificate. (d) The owner of every motor vehicle of the current, previous, and subsequent year model bought out-of-state, subsequently brought into the State, and subject to the use tax under chapter 238 shall provide with the application for registration proof of payment of the use tax pursuant to requirements established by the department of taxation. No registration certificate shall be issued without proof of payment of the use tax. (e) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the director of finance of the county in which the application for registration is sought shall not require proof of insurance as a condition to satisfy the requirements of this part. This subsection shall apply only to the initial registration of any motor vehicle. (f) Any motor carrier, as defined in section 286-201, that has not resolved any outstanding federal operations out-of-service order issued by the United States Secretary of Transportation shall not complete an initial registration of a motor carrier vehicle until all federal operations out-of-service orders are resolved. (g) The provisions of this part requiring the registration of motor vehicles shall not apply to: (1) Special mobile equipment; (2) Implements of husbandry temporarily drawn, moved, or otherwise propelled upon the public highways; (3) Aircraft servicing vehicles that are being used exclusively on lands set aside to the department of transportation for airport purposes; and (4) Tractor trucks, flatbed trucks, forklifts, and top picks being used as marine terminal equipment temporarily moving in or between terminals at: (A) Sand Island and along Sand Island Parkway and Sand Island Access Road; (B) Kalanianaole Avenue between Kuhio Street and Kahanu Street, abutting Hilo Harbor; (C) Kawaihae-Mahukona Road abutting Kawaihae Harbor; (D) East Kaahumanu Avenue between Hobron Avenue and Kane Street, abutting Kahului Harbor; (E) Waapa Road abutting Nawiliwili Harbor; (F) Nimitz Highway, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and between 6:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.; (G) Sand Island Access Road and Forrest Avenue, including all roadways abutting pier accessways; provided that vehicles abide by the speed limit and keep up with the flow of traffic; (H) Auiki Street, abutting Kapalama Container Terminal; (I) Malakole Street, abutting Barbers Point; and (J) Hanua Street, abutting Barbers Point; provided that an escort vehicle is present. [L 1929, c 197, §1; RL 1935, §2665; RL 1945, §7336; am L 1951, c 168, §1(b), (c); am L 1953, c 69, §1; am L 1955, c 165, §1; RL 1955, §160-2; HRS §286-41; am L 1984, c 276, §5; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 33, §2 and c 50, §2; am L 1987, c 171, §1; am L 1997, c 246, §5; am L 1999, c 262, §2(2); am L 2002, c 225, §2; am L 2003, c 3, §9; am L 2015, c 47, §2; am L 2017, c 115, §2; am L 2019, c 220, §2; am L 2021, c 122, §2; am L 2023, c 145, §1 and c 222, §5]

HRS §286-42 County finance director's duties

286-42. County finance director's duties (a) The county director of finance shall examine and to the best of the director's ability determine the genuineness and regularity of every registration and transfer of registration of a vehicle pursuant to this part to ensure that every certificate issued for a vehicle contains true statements of the ownership of the vehicle and to prevent the registration of a vehicle by any person not entitled to the vehicle. The director of finance may require any applicant to furnish information, in addition to that contained in the application, that is necessary to satisfy the director of finance of the truth and regularity of the application. The director of finance may accept any county certificate of title issued for a vehicle as prima facie evidence of ownership for registration and transfer of registration. The director may issue vehicle identification numbers for reconstructed vehicles, special interest vehicles, or motorcycles that do not have vehicle identification numbers if the director determines that the requirements of this section have been met. The county director of finance may register a motorcycle with an aftermarket motorcycle frame, using the number of the frame as issued by the manufacturer of the frame, the vehicle identification number on the certification label, or a vehicle identification number assigned by the director of finance. A bill of sale and Manufacturer's Statement of Origin for the frame, engine, and transmission must be presented and retained as a part of the permanent county registration records. If a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is not available for the engine and transmission due to the use of a used or reconstructed engine, transmission, or both, then a bill of sale or other proof of ownership, satisfactory to the director of finance must be presented. Except for motorcycles that are built on an aftermarket motorcycle frame, special interest vehicles, and reconstructed vehicles, any motor vehicle or device that is not certified by the manufacturer to be in compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as of the date of [manufacture] shall not be registered. (b) For the purpose of registering standard makes and body types of new passenger motor vehicles the director of finance may accept the certificate of any licensed motor vehicle dealer certifying to the weight and identification of such vehicle. The director of finance of any county may accept the certificate of the director of finance of any other county as to weight and identification of any such vehicle. (c) The director of finance may enter into a contract with car dealerships and motor vehicle rental companies for the registration of new and used motor vehicles consistent with any statute, ordinance, or provision of any applicable collective bargaining agreement. The director of finance may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 as may be necessary for the application, bonding, and procedural requirements of the contractor. (d) In the event the director of finance is not satisfied as to the ownership of any vehicle sought to be registered, unless the applicant presents satisfactory evidence to the director of finance of the applicant's ownership of the vehicle and as to any liens thereon, the director of finance may accept from the applicant a bond in such form as may be determined by the director of finance in an amount equal to the retail value of the vehicle. The bond and the deposit thereof shall be conditioned to protect the director of finance and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any lien thereon or the successor in interest of any such person against any loss or damage on account of any defect in or undisclosed encumbrance upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person shall have a right of action to recover on any such bond for any breach of the conditions for which the same was deposited. The aggregate liability of the surety to all such persons shall in no event exceed the amount of the bond and interest thereon, plus a reasonable attorney's fee to be allowed by the court incurred to procure the recovery under the bond. The bond shall (unless suit has been instituted thereon) be returned and surrendered at the end of three years. (e) The county finance director, upon being notified by the designated county department that a vehicle is a special interest vehicle, shall cause that fact to be shown upon the registration and title certificates for that vehicle. [L 1929, c 197, §2; RL 1935, §2666; RL 1945, §7337; am L 1949, c 162, §1; am L 1953, c 69, §2; RL 1955, §160-3; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §16; HRS §286-42; am L 1977, c 77, §3; am L 1984, c 276, §6; gen ch 1985; am L 1992, c 135, §1; am L 1995, c 164, §2; am L 1996, c 108, §1; am L 1997, c 246, §6; am L 2002, c 255, §3; am L 2011, c 64, §2; am L 2015, c 47, §3; am L 2021, c 129, §2]

HRS §286-43 Defacing serial numbers, etc., of motor vehicles

286-43. Defacing serial numbers, etc., of motor vehicles It shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully deface, destroy, or alter the serial number, a component part number, or identification mark of any vehicle, so placed or stamped on any vehicle by the manufacturer for the purpose of identifying the vehicle or its component parts, nor shall any person place or stamp any serial, motor, or other number or mark upon a vehicle, except one assigned thereto by the director of finance. This section does not prohibit the restoration by an owner of an original motor, or other mark or number, when the restoration is authorized in writing by the director of finance, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing in the ordinary course of business, numbers or marks upon new motor vehicles or new parts thereof. [L 1965, c 5, pt of §1b; Supp, §160-4.1; HRS §286-43]

HRS §286-44 Unlawful to possess certain motor vehicles, parts, etc.; forfeiture

286-44. Unlawful to possess certain motor vehicles, parts, etc.; forfeiture (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a motor vehicle, a motor block, or any part thereof, knowing that the motor number, serial number, or manufacturer's number, placed on the same by the manufacturer for the purpose of identification, has been changed, altered, erased, or mutilated, for the purpose of changing the identity of the motor vehicle, motor, motor block, or any part thereof. All such motor vehicles, motor blocks, or parts from which the manufacturer's identification number has been removed, defaced, or altered shall be forfeited to the county where found and if not identified may be sold at public auction or destroyed. If identified, all persons having an interest in the motor vehicle, motor block, or part shall be notified, there shall be assigned a new registration number, and the motor vehicle, motor block, or part shall be returned to the owner entitled to possession. (b) The chief of police of each county or officers of the county police who are permanently assigned to conduct vehicle theft investigations may immediately inspect, during normal business hours or whenever the dealer or dealer's agents or employees are otherwise present, any records required by chapter 286, 289, or 445 and any articles described in such records that the police reasonably believe are stolen goods, limited to the purpose of establishing rightful title or registration of vehicles or identifiable vehicle components in order to determine rightful ownership or possession, on the premises of: (1) Any motor vehicle repair dealer required to be licensed under chapter 437B; or (2) Any person licensed pursuant to sections 289-2 and 289-3 to engage in the business of purchasing or selling used motor vehicle parts or accessories, or wrecking, salvaging, or dismantling motor vehicles for the purpose of reselling the parts or accessories thereof. As used in this section, "identifiable vehicle component" means any component of a motor vehicle, including motor block or part that can be distinguished from other similar components by a serial number or other unique distinguishing number, sign, or symbol. Whenever possible, inspections conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted at a time and in a manner so as to minimize any interference with, or delay of, business operations. [L 1965, c 5, pt of §1b; Supp, §160-4.2; HRS §286-44; am L 1972, c 69, §1; am L 1998, c 98, §1; am L 2000, c 35, §1]

HRS §286-44.5 Salvage certificate

286-44.5. Salvage certificate (a) An application for a salvage certificate shall be accompanied by a fee in an amount determined by the director of finance and shall contain: (1) The name and address of the applicant; (2) A description of the vehicle being salvaged; and (3) Any further information reasonably required by the director of finance. (b) A salvage certificate shall authorize the holder of the certificate to possess, transport but not drive upon a highway, and transfer ownership in a salvage vehicle. (c) A salvage certificate shall contain the word "salvage" on the face of the certificate and shall be made upon forms prescribed by the director of finance. [L 1984, c 276, §1]

HRS §286-45 Records of county finance director

286-45. Records of county finance director The director of finance shall file each application received and register the vehicle therein described in a record or book to be kept by the director of finance under the following headings: (1) Vehicle registration number; (2) Name of owner; and (3) Vehicle identification number. The director of finance may microfilm vehicle registration and ownership records which are a year old and may discard the original records. The director of finance may discard vehicle registration and ownership records which are older than six years. [L 1929, c 197, §§4, 5; RL 1935, §2668; RL 1945, §7339; RL 1955, §160-5; am L 1959, c 87, §1; am L 1967, c 61, §1; HRS §286-45; am L l969, c 268, §1; am L 1970, c 73, §1(b); gen ch 1985; am L 1998, c 234, §§2, 29; am L 1999, c 263, §2; am L 2000, c 240, §§2, 21; am L 2001, c 55, §12; am L 2002, c 58, §2]

HRS §286-46 Tax lien and encumbrance record

286-46. Tax lien and encumbrance record (a) The director of finance shall keep a book or record to be known as the "tax lien and encumbrance record" in which the following information shall be entered: (1) Notices of liens for internal revenue taxes payable to the United States and certificates of release thereof; (2) Notices of liens or taxes payable to the State and certificates of release thereof; (3) Notices of seizure in accordance with law of any registered motor vehicle upon any writ of attachment, execution, or other process issued under authority of law; (4) Notices of restraining order or other order affecting the registration of any registered motor vehicle; (5) Notice of any proceeding or action affecting the title of a registered motor vehicle or the interest of the owner or legal owner thereof; and (6) Notice of release of any of the foregoing. (b) With the exception of delinquent taxes and penalties imposed by section 249-10, the record shall show the year, month, day, hour, and minute at which the notice has been filed with the director of finance, shall show the nature and kind of lien or encumbrance claimed, the amount of tax or other claim, with interest, penalties, and costs, and shall identify the registered motor vehicles affected by the lien or encumbrance, and shall contain such further information as the director of finance may require. The record shall be a public record and may be arranged in such manner as the director of finance determines. The interest of the owner or the legal owner in the motor vehicle shall not be deemed to be affected until the notice referred to in subsection (a)(1) to (5) has been filed with the director of finance in such form as the director of finance shall prescribe for entry in the tax lien and encumbrance record; provided the director of finance may require the payment of delinquent taxes and penalties as a condition precedent to the vehicle's renewal, registration, or transfer of ownership. The director of finance shall charge a fee of $5 for each entry made in the tax lien and encumbrance record, which shall be deposited in the general fund. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to alter or amend any statute relating to tax liens or the enforcement thereof. [L 1949, c 164, §1; RL 1955, §160-6; HRS §286-46; am L 1969, c 98, §1; am L 1993, c 151, §2; am L 1995, c 164, §3]

HRS §286-47 Certificate of registration; certificate of ownership; containers

286-47. Certificate of registration; certificate of ownership; containers Upon the registration of a vehicle, the director of finance shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner and a certificate of ownership to the legal owner, or to a dealer who shall be a person licensed to sell new motor vehicles under chapter 437 which certificates shall meet the following requirements: (1) Both the certificate of registration and the certificate of ownership shall contain upon the face thereof, the date issued, the registration number assigned to the owner and to the vehicle, the name and address of the owner and legal owner in typewriting, also such description of the registered vehicle as may be determined by the director of finance. If any of the information subsequently proves to be a typographical error, the dealer, as defined in section 437-1.1, shall notify the director of finance of the error by a written certificate stating the reasons for and nature of the error and the correction which should be made in the certificate of registration and the certificate of ownership. Upon receipt of the dealer's certificate by the director of finance, the certificate of registration and the certificate of ownership shall be corrected accordingly so long as the correction does not constitute a change of the vehicle originally registered. A fee shall be paid to the director of finance for each instance of correction of the registration records. The fee charged for each instance of correction of the registration records shall be established by the county's legislative body; (2) In addition to the requirements provided for in paragraph (1) above, the face of the certificate of ownership shall contain endorsement lines for the transfer of title or interest of the registered owner and legal owner, and the odometer reading of the vehicle on the date of transfer. The reverse side of the certificate of ownership shall contain the application for registration by the transferee; (3) (A) Every owner shall keep the certificate of registration within the vehicle for which it is registered and shall present the same at the request of a police officer, or in the event the vehicle is a motorcycle, shall carry such certificate in a convenient receptacle attached to the vehicle and which shall be presented at the request of a police officer; (B) This shall not apply to state or county vehicles readily identified by the license plates and markings on sides of such vehicles; (C) This shall not apply to commercial vehicles defined as rental motor vehicles, or cars shipped by licensed car dealerships or repossession companies. These businesses may keep a duplicate copy of the certificate of registration within the vehicle for which it is registered, in which case the certificate of registration shall be available for inspection at their principal place of business within the State; and (D) This requirement to carry the certificate of registration with the vehicle shall not apply when such certificate is removed from the vehicle for the purpose of application for renewal, transfer of registration, or to record a change in the registration. [L 1929, c 197, §§6, 13; RL 1935, §2669; RL 1945, §7340; am L 1949, c 166, §1; am L 1953, c 131, §1(a), (b); RL 1955, §160-7; HRS §286-47; am L 1970, c 73, §1(a); am L 1972, c 159, §1; am L 1980, c 141, §1; am L 1981, c 44, §1 and c 82, §18; am L 1998, c 95, §1]

HRS §286-47.2 Certificate of trailer registration

286-47.2. Certificate of trailer registration Upon the registration of a trailer, the director of finance shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner, dealer, or manufacturer of the trailer. The certificate shall meet the following requirements: (1) It shall contain upon the face thereof, the date it was issued, the license plate number assigned to the vehicle, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, and such description of the registered vehicle as may be required by the director of finance. If any of the information subsequently proves to be incorrect due to a typographical error, the dealer, manufacturer, or owner of the trailer shall notify the director of finance of the error by a written certificate stating the reasons for and nature of the error and the correction that should be made on the certificate of registration. Upon receipt of such notification by the director of finance, the certificate of registration shall be corrected accordingly so long as the correction does not constitute a change of the vehicle originally registered. A fee shall be paid to the director of finance for each instance of correction of the registration records. The fee charged for each instance of correction of the registration records shall be established by the county's legislative body. (2) In addition to the requirements provided for in paragraph (1), the face of the certificate of registration shall contain endorsement lines for the transfer of interest of the registered owner of the trailer. (3) Every owner of a trailer, except for those trailers owned by a company or person operating under the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission, shall carry the certificate of registration with the trailer and shall present the certificate at the request of a police officer. This requirement to carry the certificate of registration with the trailer shall not apply when the certificate is removed for the purpose of application for renewal, transfer of registration, or to record a change in the registration. (4) The director of finance shall not issue a certificate of ownership for a trailer nor record any liens upon or legal ownership to the trailer. [L 1985, c 27, pt of §1]

HRS §286-47.5 Notice of change of address or name; penalty

286-47.5. Notice of change of address or name; penalty (a) If the address of a registered owner of a motor vehicle is changed from that stated on the application or the certificate of registration, the registered owner shall, within thirty days after the change, notify the appropriate county director of finance, in writing, of the change, stating the registered owner's old and new addresses. (b) If the name of a registered owner of a motor vehicle is changed from that shown on the application or the certificate of registration or certificate of ownership, the registered owner shall, within thirty days after the change, notify the appropriate county director of finance, in writing, of the change and shall submit together with the notice, the certificate of ownership, the current year's certificate of registration, if any has been issued to the registered owner, and proof of the change of name. Upon receipt of the certificate of ownership, certificate of registration, if any, and satisfactory proof of the change of name, the county director of finance shall issue a new certificate of ownership and certificate of registration. The charge for the issuance of a new certificate of ownership and certificate of registration shall be as provided by law except that in the case of individual owners, no charge shall be made. (c) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings: "Individual owners" excludes corporate owners of motor vehicles. "Registered owner" includes an applicant for registration of a motor vehicle the processing of whose application has not been completed by the issuance of a certificate of registration and a certificate of ownership. (d) Any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $25. [L 1975, c 43, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 2020, c 70, §29]

HRS §286-48 Certificates of ownership of salvaged motor vehicles

286-48. Certificates of ownership of salvaged motor vehicles (a) Whenever a motor vehicle subject to registration under this part is sold as salvage or conveyed to an insurance company, in the ordinary course of business or as the result of a total loss insurance settlement where the insurance company receives the certificates of registration and ownership, the purchaser or, if an insurance company its authorized agent, shall within ten days from the purchase, or the settlement of the insurance loss, forward the motor vehicle's endorsed certificate of ownership or other evidence of title, certificate of registration, license plates, and an application for a salvage certificate as provided for in section 286-44.5, to the director of finance. If the certificate of registration or one or both license plates are lost, an affidavit, duly notarized and signed by the party responsible for the compliance of this section stating that the party has no knowledge of the location of the certificate of registration or the license plates, shall be filed with the director of finance of the county having jurisdiction over the vehicle. In any event the certificate of ownership or other evidence of title shall be forwarded to the director of finance. (b) Upon receipt of the certificate of ownership, certificate of registration, license plates, and application for a salvage certificate, the director of finance shall issue a salvage certificate in the name of the purchaser or insurance company. (c) Upon resale of the salvage vehicle, the seller or, if the seller is an insurance company, its authorized agent shall transfer the salvage certificate and issue a bill of sale to the purchaser which shall be on a form prescribed by the director of finance. The seller shall notify the purchaser, in writing, of the requirements of this chapter regarding the recertification of salvage vehicles. The seller shall sell the salvage vehicle only to a person licensed pursuant to chapter 437B, sections 289-4, or 445-232, or any person who executes an affidavit which states whether or not the salvage vehicle would be used to construct a rebuilt vehicle as defined in section 286-2 and that if the salvage vehicle is to be rebuilt, the purchaser will register the rebuilt vehicle as required by this chapter. (d) In the event the salvage vehicle is rebuilt so as to be capable of again operating on the highways of this State, the motor vehicle shall not be licensed for such operation, nor shall the ownership thereof be transferred until there is submitted to the director of finance: (1) The prescribed bill of sale; (2) An appropriate application for registration of the rebuilt or restored motor vehicle along with the salvage certificate and a certificate of inspection signed by the registered or certified motor vehicle repair dealer who is bonded as required by section 437B-26, and who rebuilt the vehicle, attesting that the original recognized vehicle manufacturer's established repair procedures or specifications and allowable tolerances for the particular model and year were utilized and adhered to; and (3) Any other document and fee required by the director of finance. The counties may, by ordinance, establish the fee to be charged for the inspection of rebuilt motor vehicles. (e) Whenever a certificate of registration and certificate of ownership is issued for a motor vehicle with respect to which a salvage certificate has been previously issued, the new certificates shall conform to the requirements of section 286-47 and: (1) Bear the words "Rebuilt Vehicle"; and (2) Appear in such a manner as to distinguish them from the certificate of registration and certificate of ownership for motor vehicles other than rebuilt or restored motor vehicles. (f) In the event a total loss insurance settlement between an insurance company and its insured or a claimant for property damage caused by its insured results in the retention of the salvage vehicle by the insured or claimant, as the case may be, then in such event, the insurance company or its authorized agent shall notify, within ten days from the date of settlement, the director of finance of such retention by its insured or claimant, as the case may be, and shall notify its insured, or claimant as the case may be, in writing, of the requirements of this chapter regarding the recertification of salvage vehicles. The notification shall be on a form prescribed by the director of finance. [L 1967, c 178, §2; HRS §286-48; am L 1969, c 194, §1; am L 1984, c 276, §7; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 74, §2; am L 1987, c 51, §1; am L 1988, c 315, §1]

HRS §286-49 Registration of vehicles under two or more names

286-49. Registration of vehicles under two or more names Unless otherwise specifically stated by a written document, any vehicle registered in the names of two or more persons shall be presumed to be owned in joint tenancy. L 1967, c 266, §1; HRS §286-49; am L 1999, c 221, §1

HRS §286-50 Registration of vehicle located outside State; correction of errors; fee for correcting errors

286-50. Registration of vehicle located outside State; correction of errors; fee for correcting errors (a) The director of finance of a county shall not accept an application for registration of any vehicle under this part unless the vehicle at the time of application is to be operated on the public highways of that county as required under section 286-41 or, if the vehicle is not within the State, the vehicle is currently registered in the State in the name of a bona fide resident of the State. However, the director of finance shall accept and grant an application and issue number plates for a new unlicensed vehicle which is not within the State when the application is accompanied by a written certificate signed by the seller, who shall be a person licensed to sell new motor vehicles under chapter 437, giving the name and local address of the seller and the purchaser and a description of the vehicle, including a statement of the weight thereof, and, when the vehicle identification numbers of such new vehicle are not available, a statement of such fact, and also by a written certificate of the purchaser giving the purchaser's name, the purchaser's local address and permanent residence, and the name of the seller, a full description of the vehicle, and a statement that the use tax payable thereon has been paid or that the same will be paid within sixty days of the arrival of the vehicle in the State. One copy of the application when granted shall be furnished by the director of finance to the director of taxation. In a case where the vehicle identification numbers of the new vehicle are not available at the time of the application, the dealer shall certify to the vehicle identification numbers thereof upon receipt of the numbers from the factory or manufacturer, which certificate the director of finance shall enter in the director of finance's registration records. Within sixty days after arrival in the State of any such vehicle, unless the same has been shown in the application or subsequent certification, the dealer shall furnish to the director of finance a certificate of the dealer, identifying the vehicle by the vehicle identification numbers or other description, and evidence of arrival in the State of any such vehicle, which information the director of finance shall enter in the director of finance's registration records. If the vehicle identification numbers of the vehicle, as given in the dealer's certificate of the vehicle identification numbers, subsequently prove to be erroneous on account of error in the information received by the dealer from the factory or manufacturer, or for any other reason, the dealer shall notify the director of finance of the error by a written certificate of the dealer stating the reasons for the nature of the error and the correction which should be made in the registration records; and upon receipt of the dealer's certificate by the director of finance, the registration records shall be corrected accordingly. A fee of $3 shall be paid by the dealer and collected by the director of finance for each instance of correction of the registration records. (b) Notwithstanding the first paragraph of subsection (a), the director of finance shall accept and grant an application, and issue number plates, when the vehicle, although not within the State, is to be registered in the name of bona fide residents of the State, and the application is accompanied by: (1) A written certificate setting forth the name, local address of the applicant; the name and business address of the seller; a full description of the vehicle, including a manufacturer's statement of the weight thereof, and the vehicle identification numbers verified by a law enforcement agency; and such other information as may be required by the director of finance; (2) A copy of the bill of sale and such other documents as may be required by the director of finance, to establish legal ownership; and (3) A written statement signed by the applicant stating that the use tax payable thereon will be paid within sixty days of the arrival of the vehicle in the State. The applicant shall be responsible for supplying to the director of finance all information relative to the correct vehicle identification numbers, and the payment of correction fees, in the same manner and to the same extent as is required hereinabove of a dealer. One copy of the application, when granted, shall be furnished by the director of finance to the state director of taxation. No tax or other fees required by law in connection with the registration of a vehicle not within the State at the time of the application shall be refundable. [L 1949, c 167, §1; am L 1951, c 168, §1(d); am L 1953, c 131, §1(c), (d), (e); am L 1955, c 175, §1; RL 1955, §160-8; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §16; am L 1965, c 137, §1 and c 155, §§1, 2; HRS §286-50; gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 171, §2; am L 1989, c 292, §1]

HRS §286-51 Registration, expense

286-51. Registration, expense (a) The certificate of registration for each motor vehicle in the counties of the State shall be renewed on a staggered basis as established by each county. The director of finance of each county may adopt rules to carry out the purposes stated in this section and shall expend the necessary funds from the director's operating funds as may be necessary for these purposes; provided that the director of finance, if the director has ascertained as of the date of the application that the registered owner has not deposited or paid bail with respect to any summons or citation issued to the registered owner for stopping, standing, or parking in violation of traffic ordinances within the county, may require, as a condition precedent to the renewal, that the registered owner deposit or pay bail with respect to all such summonses or citations. The certificates of registration issued hereunder shall show, in addition to all information required under section 286-47, the serial number of the tag or emblem and shall be valid during the registration year only for which they are issued. The certificates of ownership need not be renewed annually but shall remain valid as to any interest shown therein until canceled by the director of finance as provided by law or replaced by new certificates of ownership as hereinafter provided. (b) This part shall be administered by the director of finance in conjunction with the requirements of sections 249-1 to 249-13 and shall entail no additional expense or charge to the person registering the ownership of a motor vehicle other than as provided by this section or by other laws; provided that for each new certificate of ownership issued by the director of finance under section 286-52, the director of finance may charge a fee which shall be deposited in the general fund. The fees charged to issue a new certificate of ownership shall be established by the county's legislative body. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an additional fee of not more than $1 for each certificate of registration for a U-drive motor vehicle and $2 for each certificate of registration for all other motor vehicles may be established by ordinance and collected annually by the director of finance of each county, to be used and administered by each county: (1) For the purpose of beautification and other related activities of highways under the ownership, control, and jurisdiction of each county; and (2) To defray the additional cost in the disposition and other related activities of abandoned or derelict vehicles as prescribed in chapter 290. For the purposes of this paragraph, other related activities shall include but need not be limited to any and all storage fees that are negotiated between each county and a towing company contracted by the county to remove and dispose of abandoned or derelict vehicles. The $2 fee established pursuant to this subsection for certificates of registration for motor vehicles other than U-drive motor vehicles may be increased by ordinance up to a maximum of $10; provided that all amounts received from any fee increase over $2 shall be expended only for the purposes of paragraph (2). The moneys so assessed and collected shall be placed in a revolving fund entitled, "the highway beautification and disposal of abandoned or derelict vehicles revolving fund". [L 1929, c 197, §7; RL 1935, §2670; am L 1935, c 74, §1; am L 1941, c 298, §2; RL 1945, §7341; am L 1951, c 162, §6; RL 1955, §160-9; am L 1962, c 10, §2; am L 1965, c 125, §§1, 2; HRS §286-51; am L 1972, c 161, §1; am L 1976, c 237, §2; am L 1981, c 44, §2; am L 1982, c 135, §2; am L 1984, c 126, §2; gen ch 1985; am L 1999, c 274, §1; am L 2000, c 111, §1; am L 2007, c 269, §2; am L 2010, c 20, §4]

HRS §286-51.5 Junking of nonrepairable vehicle

286-51.5. Junking of nonrepairable vehicle Any owner of a vehicle, whether it is currently registered or not currently registered, which is incapable of safe operation for use on the public highway and which has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap only, or which the owner irreversibly designates as a source of parts or scrap, may junk the vehicle upon presenting to the director of finance a signed statement of fact of the junking together with such other relevant facts as may be required by the director of finance, and the signed certificate of title. All nonrepairable vehicles that are junked under this section shall never again be titled or registered. [L 1998, c 3, §2]

HRS §286-52.4 Terminal rental adjustment clause; vehicle leases

286-52.4. Terminal rental adjustment clause; vehicle leases ] In the case of motor vehicles or trailers, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a transaction does not create a sale or security interest merely because it provides that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted under the agreement, either upward or downward, by reference to the amount realized upon sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle or trailer. [L 2003, c 21, §2]

HRS §286-53 Dealers in new motor vehicles

286-53. Dealers in new motor vehicles (a) A manufacturer of or dealer in new motor vehicles having an established place of business, owning any such new vehicles and operating them upon the public highways, in lieu of registering each such new vehicle, may make application upon an official form provided for that purpose to the director of finance for a permanent number plate. (b) Every new vehicle owned or controlled by the manufacturer or dealer, and permitted to be registered under a permanent number plate shall be regarded as registered thereunder until the vehicle is sold and the sale has been recorded by the director of finance. (c) The director of finance shall, upon receipt of the application, or thereafter, furnish to the manufacturer or dealer: (1) Permanent number plates which shall be attached to new motor vehicles which are used by the applicant only for demonstration of the new motor vehicles to customers upon the public highways if requested by the applicant. The price of each permanent number plate shall be established by the director of finance under chapter 91. Each permanent number plate shall display upon it the number which is assigned to the applicant and a different letter or number to differentiate it from other plates furnished to the applicant. Permanent number plates which are detached from a new motor vehicle which has been sold may be used on another new motor vehicle; and (2) Temporary motor vehicle plates, if the applicant is a new motor vehicle dealer, which plates shall be blank except for an area on the lower right corner which shall be utilized for validation of the temporary plates. The validation shall not be reproducible by any person other than the director of finance, or director of finance of another county if an agreement is made to utilize a uniform validation, shall signify the official status of the temporary number plate, and be designed to be visible from a distance of two feet. The directors of finance of any two or more counties may agree to utilize a uniform designation to be placed upon the temporary number plate. The director of finance shall establish the material used for the temporary number plate and a charge by rule under chapter 91 for each temporary number plate. (d) Whenever the design of the number plates issued under chapter 249 is changed, the new motor vehicle dealer shall apply to the director of finance for the most current permanent number plates. Before issuing the current permanent number plates, the director of finance shall require each applicant to return the permanent number plates issued previously. If any permanent number plates issued previously have been lost or destroyed, the manufacturer or dealer who applies for the permanent number plates shall certify in writing to the director of finance that the permanent number plates have been lost or destroyed and that if any lost permanent number plates are found, they shall be returned forthwith to the director of finance. Upon receipt of the certificate, the director of finance shall issue an equal number of the most current permanent number plates as have been certified to be lost or destroyed. (e) Whenever a new motor vehicle dealer sells a new motor vehicle to a person, the new motor vehicle dealer shall detach the permanent number plate issued under subsection (c) from that new motor vehicle and replace it with one temporary number plate. The temporary number plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle in the same location as required for number plates under section 249-7. The new motor vehicle dealer shall print only the following upon the temporary number plate: (1) The date that is thirty working days after the date the new owner takes possession of the motor vehicle, which date shall be placed in the middle of the temporary number plate in numbers not less than four inches in height; (2) The name and address of the new owner; (3) The name and address of the new motor vehicle dealer; (4) The serial number of the new motor vehicle; and (5) The date the new motor vehicle owner took possession of the motor vehicle. Any temporary number plate upon which is placed any drawings, pictures, or words other than what is required by paragraphs (1) through (5), shall be invalid. The information required by paragraphs (3) through (5) shall be printed in the upper left corner of the temporary number plate. The temporary number plate shall be valid through the date listed in paragraph (1). Any person who operates a motor vehicle with an expired temporary number plate shall be fined not more than $500. Any new motor vehicle dealer who prepares an invalid temporary number plate shall be fined not more than $500. (f) No manufacturer or dealer shall permit the operation of any motor vehicle owned or controlled by the manufacturer or dealer upon any public highway, unless permanent number plates assigned to the manufacturer or dealer are attached thereto, in the manner specified in this part; provided that the new vehicles may be operated without permanent number plates attached thereto on the initial continuous movement from the place of entry of the vehicle into this State to the warehouse, storeroom, salesroom, or other place of business selected by the manufacturer or dealer. (g) Every manufacturer or dealer, upon the sale, lease, or other transfer by the manufacturer or dealer of a new vehicle registered under a general distinguishing number, as herein provided, shall forthwith give notice of the transfer to the director of finance upon the appropriate official form, stating the date of the transfer, a description of the vehicle, the name and post office address of the transferee, and certifying that temporary number plates have been provided for the motor vehicle of the transferee. Following the transfer, if application for registration has been made by or on behalf of the transferee, the vehicle may be operated until duly registered by the director of finance under chapter 249 and this chapter or until the expiration of the temporary number plates whichever occurs sooner. (h) The director of finance may, at the director's discretion, grant a temporary permit to operate a vehicle, a registration for which has been applied for. (i) For the purposes of this section: "New motor vehicle dealer" means a dealer licensed under chapter 437 to engage in the business of selling new motor vehicles or used motor vehicles at wholesale or retail or both. "New motor vehicles" means motor vehicles of the current model year, immediate past model year, or the next model year that have not been sold or registered by the manufacturer or dealer. "Permanent number plate" means a number plate furnished to a manufacturer or dealer under subsection (c)(1) for a motor vehicle that is similar to the number plate issued under section 249-7 and that allows the motor vehicle to be operated on the public highways. "Temporary number plate" means the number plate furnished to a new motor vehicle dealer under subsection (c)(2). [L 1929, c 197, §9; RL 1935, §2672; am L 1941, c 211, §1; RL 1945, §7343; am L 1949, c 162, §2; am L 1953, c 131, §1(f); RL 1955, §160-11; am L 1967, c 92, §1; HRS §286-53; am L 1980, c 133, §4; gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 319, §1; am L 1990, c 131, §2; am L 1995, c 24, §1; am L 2020, c 70, §30]

HRS §286-53.1 Boat dealers; trailers without plates

286-53.1. Boat dealers; trailers without plates Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a manufacturer of or a dealer in boats having an established place of business in the State may move a boat trailer without license number plates upon the public highways during the initial continuous movement of the boat trailer and any boat being transported on the trailer from its point of entry into the State to a storage, display, or sales area selected by the manufacturer or dealer. [L 1980, c 28, §1]

HRS §286-53.5 Permanent registration of fleet vehicles

286-53.5. Permanent registration of fleet vehicles (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the registered owner or lessee of a fleet of twenty-five or more vehicles consisting of commercial motor vehicles, commercial trailers, or passenger automobiles may apply to the director of finance of the county in which the vehicles are to be operated, for permanent license plates, decals, and registration cards; provided that the vehicle shall not be registered in any other state. (b) The application for initial issuance of permanent registration shall be filed in such form as the director of finance shall require. Upon initial application and payment of the required fees, the director of finance shall issue a distinguishing license plate or decal which indicates the vehicle has been registered under this section. (c) Upon submission of the renewal of registration form and payment of normally required fees, the license plates, decals, and registration cards issued pursuant to this section for the vehicle shall remain valid; provided that a fleet vehicle registered under this section may be deleted from such identified fleet upon notification of the director of finance by the registered owner on the proper form, and if the distinguishing license plates, decals, and registration cards issued for the vehicle are surrendered. Failure to comply with the preceding sentence shall require payment by the fleet owner of fees due for registration of the vehicle as though the vehicle remained part of the fleet. Display of the distinguishing license plate or decal and registration card shall constitute prima facie evidence that the vehicle is currently registered. The registered owner or lessee of any vehicle registered pursuant to this section shall display in a conspicuous place on both the right and the left side of each vehicle, the name, trademark, or logo of the company. The display of the name, trademark, or logo shall be printed in sharp contrast to the background of the vehicle and shall be of such size, shape, and color as to be readily identifiable during daylight hours from a distance of fifty feet. (d) Each director of finance shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the application, payment of fees, fleet additions or deletions, and cancellation of distinguishing plates or decals and registration card issued to a vehicle of a fleet owner. [L 1980, c 127, pt of §1]

HRS §286-53.6 Fleet vehicles, fees

286-53.6. Fleet vehicles, fees Renewal fees for permanent registration of fleet vehicles pursuant to section 286-53.5 shall be paid pursuant to a schedule which shall be established by the director of finance. The fees determined to be due and owing under this section and section 286-53.5 shall be a lien upon all vehicles of the applicant subject to registration under this chapter, whether or not they are fleet vehicles. [L 1980, c 127, pt of §1]

HRS §286-54 Out-of-state vehicle permit

286-54. Out-of-state vehicle permit The owner of a motor vehicle which has been duly registered for the current year in another state or country and in accordance with the laws thereof, may, in lieu of registering the vehicle as otherwise required by this part, apply to the director of finance for the registration thereof as provided in this section. The owner shall, within thirty days after commencing to operate the vehicle or causing or permitting it to be operated within the State, apply to the director of finance for the registration thereof upon the appropriate official form stating therein the name and home address of the owner and the temporary address, if any, of the owner while within the State, the registration number of the vehicle as assigned thereto by the state or country, together with a description of the motor vehicle that may be called for in the form and other statements of facts that may be required by the director of finance. The director of finance shall file every application received and register the vehicle therein described and shall issue to the owner a registration certificate of a distinctive form containing the date of its issue, a brief description of the vehicle, and a statement that the owner has procured registration of the vehicle. No owner of a motor vehicle which has been duly registered for the current year in another state or country shall operate any vehicle or cause or permit to be operated upon the public highways, either before or while it is registered under this section, unless there is at all times displayed thereon the current registration number plates assigned to the vehicle by the other state or country, nor unless the certificate of registration is kept within the vehicle for which it is registered, or in the event the vehicle is a motorcycle, carry the certificate of registration in a convenient receptacle attached to the vehicle. The director of finance shall also furnish the owner with an emblem bearing a serial number with the words "VEHICLE PERMIT" and the date of expiration of the emblem to be placed on the rear bumper in plain sight of the vehicle, or when issued to a motorcycle emblem to be placed on rear fender. Every certificate of registration issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for the unexpired portion of the current license number plates assigned to the vehicle in accordance with the law of the other state or country; provided that in no case shall a certificate be issued to exceed a twelve-month period. Whenever a vehicle is registered under this section, the sum of $5 shall be assessed against the owner of the vehicle to defray the administrative costs incurred by the county. Subsequent changes in the amount of the administrative costs shall be established by the county's legislative body. [L 1929, c 197, §10; RL 1935, §2673; RL 1945, §7344; RL 1955, §160-12; am L 1963, c 23, §1; am L 1967, c 59, §1; HRS §286-54; am L 1971, c 67, §1; am L 1982, c 172, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 1988, c 312, §1; am L 1998, c 98, §2]

HRS §286-55 Certificates lost or mutilated

286-55. Certificates lost or mutilated If any certificate of registration or certificate of ownership is lost, mutilated, or becomes illegible, the person to whom the same has been issued shall immediately make application for and may obtain a duplicate thereof upon furnishing satisfactory information to the director of finance and upon payment of a fee, which fee shall be established by the county's legislative body. When a certificate of ownership is lost, damaged, mutilated or stolen, the director of finance shall provide to a qualified applicant an application form for a duplicate certificate of ownership. The names and addresses of the transferor and transferee shall be written in the application form and the same, together with the last issued certificate of registration, the fee for the duplicate certificate of ownership, plus the transfer fee, shall be filed with the director of finance. [L 1929, c 197, §11; RL 1935, §2674; RL 1945, §7345; am L 1955, c 162, §1; RL 1955, §160-13; HRS §286-55; am L 1970, c 73, §1(d); am L 1981, c 44, §3]

HRS §286-56 Official cars

286-56. Official cars All motor vehicles owned by any foreign government or by a consul or other official representative thereof, or by the United States government, or by the State or any political subdivision thereof, shall be registered as herein required by the person having the custody thereof, and the custodian shall display official registration by distinguishing marks thereon which shall be furnished by the director of finance, free of charge, and where motor vehicles are owned by the State or any of its municipal subdivisions, the motor vehicle shall bear the inscription provided for in sections 105-6 to 105-8. [L 1929, c 197, §14; RL 1935, §2675; RL 1945, §7346; RL 1955, §160-14; HRS §286-56; am L 1986, c 339, §30; am L 2008, c 16, §11]

HRS §286-56.5 Special license plates for consul or official representative of foreign or territorial government

286-56.5. Special license plates for consul or official representative of foreign or territorial government Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any consul or official representative of a foreign government or territory of the United States of America, duly licensed and holding an exequatur issued by the Department of State of the United States of America, may be furnished at no cost special license plates by the director of finance on such conditions as may be necessary on a vehicle used on official consular business, provided that upon application for special license plates a consul or official representative shall be given the option of using license plates issued by the consul's or official representative's government. Before such plates shall be considered as special license plates, they shall be registered and the appropriate fees paid to the county for the issuance. The special license plates shall be securely fastened to the vehicle in lieu of the regulation number plates; provided that the tag or emblem, issued each year, shall be affixed to the special license plates in the manner provided for in section 249-7. Whenever the consul or official representative transfers or assigns the consul's or official representative's interest in or title in the vehicle to which the special license plates were issued, the consul or official representative shall immediately surrender the special license plates to the director of finance. [L 1971, c 189, §1; am L 1979, c 141, §1; am L 1980, c 232, §12; am L 1981, c 82, §19; gen ch 1985]

HRS §286-57 Unlawful removal of motor vehicles from State

286-57. Unlawful removal of motor vehicles from State (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, attempt to remove, cause to be removed, or assist in so doing, any motor vehicle registered pursuant to this part from the State to any other place away from the State, unless the person is the legal owner of the vehicle or has first obtained written authorization from the legal owner of the vehicle. (b) No person owning or having control of any vessel, airplane, or other means of transportation, and no agent or employee of the person, shall transport any vehicle from the State to any other place away from the State, or accept any vehicle for the transportation, or deliver any bill of lading, order, or other written instrument authorizing the transportation, unless the person requesting the transportation: (1) Produces a certificate of ownership and a current certificate of registration showing that the person is the legal owner of the vehicle; or (2) Produces, if the person is not the legal owner of the vehicle, a current certificate of registration showing that the person is the registered owner of the vehicle and, in addition, obtains the written consent of the legal owner of the vehicle to the transportation. (c) No person owning or having control of any vessel, airplane, or other means of transportation, and no agent or employee of the person, shall transport any used vehicle between the counties or from the State to any other place away from the State, unless, in addition to any other requirements, the person records by physical inspection the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle and maintains a record of the transporting of the vehicle along with the description and vehicle identification number (VIN) for a period of not less than three years. (d) This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle rental company as defined in section 431:9A-141 that periodically ships in quantities of ten vehicles or more. (e) Records maintained as required above, and all other records and receipts relating to the exportation of vehicles shall be available for inspection by the federal, state, or county police agencies during normal business hours. [L 1935, c 106, §1; RL 1945, §7347; am L 1951, c 162, §7; RL 1955, §160-15; HRS §286-57; am L 1969, c 246, §1; am L 1977, c 142, §1; gen ch 1985; am L 2003, c 26, §2]

HRS §286-58 Appeal from finance director's decision

286-58. Appeal from finance director's decision Whenever any person is aggrieved by any decision of any county director of finance under this part, the person may appeal from the decision of the director of finance to the district court of the circuit in which the county is situated, by filing with the court, within twenty days after the decision, or within such additional time as may have been consented to in writing by the director of finance, an informal notice of appeal setting forth the name of the appellant, the circumstances attending the decision, a general statement as to the ruling appealed from, the date of the decision, and a description of the motor vehicle involved, with the serial or motor number or both, if available. A copy of the notice shall be served upon, or mailed, postage prepaid, by registered mail with request for return receipt, to the director of finance within two days after the date of the filing with the court. Informalities in the notice shall not invalidate the notice, and the notice may be amended for good cause shown to the satisfaction of the court. [L 1951, c 237, §1; RL 1955, §160-16; HRS §286-58; am L 1970, c 188, §40]

HRS §286-59 Appeal; procedure

286-59. Appeal; procedure Upon appeal, the district court shall hold a hearing de novo, and shall have power to enter such judgment or order as in its reasonable judgment may be warranted by all of the circumstances. In making the judgment or order, the court may waive defects or irregularities in the current or previous registrations which, in its opinion, have been satisfactorily explained on the part of the appellant, or may order registration of the vehicle subject to reasonable conditions to be then or thereafter, within a reasonable time fixed by the court, complied with by the appellant, upon noncompliance with which conditions the director of finance may cancel such registration. The conditions may include the furnishing of a bond in a reasonable amount, to be fixed by the court, to insure compliance with other conditions or to indemnify the director of finance and any other person in the event it is thereafter held or found that the registration was wrongful. Any certificate of registration issued subject to any such condition shall bear thereon an appropriate notation referring to the condition or the words "conditional registration". A copy of the court's order as to the conditional registration shall be served upon the director of finance and retained in the file relating to the registration, and shall constitute notice to the world of the condition therein stated, provided the certificate of registration contains a notation of conditional registration as hereinabove provided. [L 1951, c 237, §2; RL 1955, §160-17; HRS §286-59; am L 1970, c 188, §39]

HRS §286-60 Rules of procedure; costs; appeal

286-60. Rules of procedure; costs; appeal The supreme court may prescribe rules of procedure relating to the appeals and hearings before the district courts. An appeal shall lie from the judgment or order of the district court to the intermediate appellate court, subject to chapter 602. The rules shall provide for informal procedure and for minimizing expense and delay to litigants therein. The costs upon such appeal to the district court shall be $1, which may be waived by the court for good cause shown. No costs shall be chargeable against the county director of finance. [L 1951, c 237, §3; RL 1955, §160-18; HRS §286-60; am L 1973, c 135, §1; am L 2004, c 202, §36; am L 2006, c 94, §1; am L 2010, c 109, §1]

HRS §286-61 Penalty

286-61. Penalty Any person who violates sections 286-41, 286-42, 286-44.5 to 286-56.5, and 286-58 to 286-60 shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $1,000; provided that any corporate owner of a motor vehicle who fails to register a motor vehicle as required by section 286-41(a) following a transfer of the vehicle between counties shall be fined $1,000 for each violation. Any person who violates section 286-43, 286-44, or 286-57 shall be fined not less than $5 and not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. [L 1929, c 197, §15; RL 1935, §2676; RL 1945, §7348; RL 1955, §160-19; am L 1967, c 214, §6; HRS §286-61; am L 1987, c 171, §3; am L 1993, c 214, §4]

HRS §286-62 Special license plates authorized

286-62. Special license plates authorized Any owner of a passenger motor vehicle, who is a resident of the State, and who holds an unrevoked and unexpired amateur radio station license, other than novice, issued by the Federal Communications Commission, upon application, accompanied by proof of ownership of the amateur radio station license, may be issued a special license plate for the owner's passenger motor vehicle as provided in sections 286-63 to 286-69. [L 1955, c 67, §1; RL 1955, §160-220; HRS §286-62; am L 1969, c 189, §1; gen ch 1985]

HRS §286-63 Shape, size and color of plates; how affixed

286-63. Shape, size and color of plates; how affixed The special license plate shall be similar in shape, size and color to the regulation passenger motor vehicle number plate prescribed by law, and shall bear the official amateur radio call letters of the applicant, as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. The special license plate shall be securely fastened to the passenger motor vehicle in lieu of the regulation number plate; provided that the regulation tag or emblem issued each year shall be affixed to the passenger motor vehicle or the special license plate in the manner provided in section 249-7. [L 1955, c 67, §2; RL 1955, §160-221; HRS §286-63; am L 1969, c 189, §2]

HRS §286-64 Regulation plates to be surrendered

286-64. Regulation plates to be surrendered Upon the issuance of the special license plates, the regulation number plates originally issued in the registration of the passenger motor vehicles shall be surrendered to the administrator of the county emergency management agency who shall retain the plates as long as the special license plates are attached to the passenger motor vehicle. [L 1955, c 67, §3; RL 1955, §160-222; HRS §286-64; am L 1969, c 189, §3; am L 2014, c 111, §28]

HRS §286-65 Surrender, transfer, and disposal of special plates

286-65. Surrender, transfer, and disposal of special plates Upon the transfer of ownership of the passenger motor vehicle, or upon the expiration or revocation of the amateur radio station license, the holder of the special license plates shall surrender them to the administrator of the county civil defense agency who shall retain the plates as long as they are valid. The regulation number plates shall be securely fastened to the passenger motor vehicle as provided in section 249-7. Upon reapplication, an amateur radio station licensee may be reissued the licensee's special license plates as provided in this part at no additional cost. [L 1955, c 67, §4; RL 1955, §160-223; HRS §286-65; am L 1969, c 189, §4; gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 339, §31]

HRS §286-66 Director in charge

286-66. Director in charge The director of civil defense shall be responsible for processing all applications for the special license plates and shall make all necessary arrangements for the purchase and issuance thereof. The administrator of the county civil defense agency shall assist the director of civil defense in the administration of this part, which includes but is not limited to, the receipt of applications, the collection and payment of fees, the issuance of special license plates, the transmittal of the list of special license plates issued together with the names and addresses to whom issued to the director of civil defense and the respective chief of police and the respective licensing officer of each county, and any other duties as may be prescribed by the director of civil defense. The chief of police and licensing officer of each county shall keep a record of the list of special license plates issued together with the names and addresses to whom issued in their respective office and may discard the list when it is more than six years old. [L 1955, c 67, §5; RL 1955, §160-224; HRS §286-66; am L 1969, c 189, §5]

HRS §286-67 Fees

286-67. Fees Any applicant applying for the special license plates shall pay to the administrator of the county civil defense agency an amount equal to the cost of the plates plus administrative costs of furnishing the special license plates. The fees for the special license plates shall be determined by the director of civil defense. [L 1955, c 67, §6; RL 1955, §160-225; HRS §286-67; am L 1969, c 189, §6]

HRS §286-68 Interpretation of part

286-68. Interpretation of part Sections 286-62 to 286-69 are supplementary to any statute of the State regarding automobile number or license plates and nothing herein shall be construed as abridging or amending such laws except as herein provided for the use of the special license plates in lieu of the regulation number plates prescribed by law. [L 1955, c 67, §7; RL 1955, §160-226; HRS §286-68; ree L 1986, c 339, §32]

HRS §286-69 Penalty

286-69. Penalty Any person who violates any provisions of sections 286-62 to 286-68 shall be fined not more than $50. L 1955, c 67, §8; RL 1955, §160-227; am L 1967, c 214, §14; HRS §286-69

HRS §286-71 Autocycles

286-71. Autocycles (a) Every autocycle, as described in paragraph (2) of the definition of "motorcycle" in section 286-2, operated in this State shall first be registered as a motor vehicle as provided in section 286-41. (b) No person shall operate an autocycle on a public street, road, or highway in this State unless the person possesses a valid type 3 driver's license pursuant to section 286-102(b)(3) and the autocycle has been duly registered pursuant to subsection (a). (c) Occupants in an autocycle not equipped with a front windshield shall use eye protection. (d) All occupants in an autocycle shall comply with the seat belt requirements under section 291-11.6. (e) All dealers, sellers, lessors, and rental agencies shall be required to disclose the following, if true, regarding each autocycle offered for sale, lease, or rent, as applicable: (1) The autocycle does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for passenger vehicles and light trucks; (2) The autocycle is not equipped with airbags; and (3) Autocycle rollover protection has not been certified to protect an occupant from injury in the event of a rollover; therefore, the use of a department of transportation certified safety helmet is recommended when operating an autocycle. [L 2017, c 216, §1; am L 2018, c 191, §1]

Source: Hawaii State Legislature (capitol.hawaii.gov), via Internet Archive capturesURL: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0286/HRS_0286-.htmFetched: 11/10/2026