What you need to do to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Hawaii driver's license
You can replace a Hawaii driver's license in person at any Hawaii Driver's License office or through the mail. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you walk out with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes 7 to 10 business days and costs less, but you cannot drive legally until the new license arrives. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address — the same documents you used when you first got your license.
If your license was stolen, you should also file a police report and bring a copy of that report to the Driver's License office. This protects you if someone tries to use your old license number for fraud. If your license was damaged but still readable, you can bring it with you; if it is too damaged to read, you do not need it.
Key Takeaways
- In-person replacement at a Hawaii Driver's License office takes about 30 minutes and gives you a temporary license to drive home the same day.
- Mail replacement takes 7 to 10 business days and costs less, but you cannot drive legally until the new license arrives in the mail.
- You need proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address — the same documents required for an original license.
- If your license was stolen, bring a police report to the office to protect yourself against fraud.
- Hawaii Driver's License offices are located in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Lihue, and Kaunakakai; you can visit any of them regardless of which island you live on.
In-person replacement at a Hawaii Driver's License office
Walk into any Hawaii Driver's License office with your documents and tell the staff member your license was lost, stolen, or damaged. They will take a new photo, verify your information against the state database, and print a temporary license on the spot. The temporary license is valid for 30 days and lets you drive legally while you wait for the permanent card to arrive by mail.
The permanent license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. The in-person replacement fee is $30 for a standard license or $40 for a REAL ID-compliant license. If you want to renew your license at the same time — for example, if it is about to expire — you can do that in the same visit, but the fee will be higher. Hawaii Driver's License offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some locations have extended hours on certain days. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
Mail replacement without visiting an office
You can mail in a replacement request if you do not want to visit an office in person. read the process for Duplicate Driver's License form from the Hawaii Department of Transportation website, fill it out, and mail it with copies of your proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for $30 (standard license) or $40 (REAL ID license) made payable to the State of Hawaii.
Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the office receives your envelope. You cannot drive legally during this time unless you have a valid temporary license from another state or country. The mail route is useful if you live far from an office, are out of state, or prefer not to take time off work. However, if you need to drive before the new license arrives, you must visit an office in person instead.
Documents you must bring or mail
Hawaii requires three types of documents for a replacement license: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. These are the same documents required for an original license, so if you have them saved, you already know what to bring.
Proof of identity can be a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa, or a Hawaii state ID card. A photo is required, so a school ID or work badge does not count on its own.
Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, a tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. A driver's license or state ID does not count as proof of Social Security number.
Proof of current address must show your name and your current Hawaii address. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, insurance policy, or government mail all work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A post office box does not count as a current address for driver's license purposes.
If your license was stolen
File a police report with the Hawaii Police Department or the Honolulu Police Department, depending on which island you live on. You can file the report in person at a police station or online through the department's website. Get a copy of the report number or a printed copy of the report itself.
Bring the police report to the Driver's License office when you explore for your replacement. This creates an official record that your old license number is associated with theft, which protects you if someone tries to use it for fraud or identity theft. The office will note this in the state system. If you are replacing by mail, include a copy of the police report with your process.
Hawaii Driver's License office locations and hours
Hawaii has five Driver's License offices across the islands. You can visit any office regardless of which island you live on, but the Honolulu office on Oahu is the busiest and often has the longest wait times.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (Oahu) | 1111 Alakea Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Hilo (Big Island) | 400 Hylton Street, Hilo, HI 96720 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Kahului (Maui) | 355 Mooheau Street, Kahului, HI 96732 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Lihue (Kauai) | 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, HI 96766 | Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Kaunakakai (Molokai) | Molokai Public Library, Kaunakakai, HI 96748 | By appointment only |
The Kaunakakai office on Molokai operates by appointment only because it shares space with the public library. Call ahead to schedule a time. All other offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are traveling from another island, consider visiting early in the morning or on a Friday to avoid peak times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a temporary license while I wait for my permanent replacement?
Yes, the temporary license issued in person is valid for 30 days and lets you drive legally. If you are replacing by mail, you do not receive a temporary license, so you cannot drive legally until the permanent license arrives. If you need to drive before then, you must visit an office in person instead.
What if my address has changed since I got my original license?
Bring proof of your new address with your other documents. The replacement license will be printed with your current address. If you are replacing by mail, include a copy of your proof of new address with your process.
How much does a replacement license cost?
A standard replacement license costs $30, and a REAL ID-compliant replacement costs $40. These are one-time fees for the replacement itself. If you are also renewing your license at the same time, the total fee will be higher.
Do I need to take a new photo for a replacement license?
Yes, if you replace in person. The office will take a new photo as part of the replacement process. If you replace by mail, the office uses the photo from your existing license record.
What if I lost my license out of state?
You can mail in your replacement request from anywhere. read the process for Duplicate Driver's License form, fill it out, and mail it with your documents and payment to the address on the form. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date received. Alternatively, if you are back in Hawaii, you can visit any Driver's License office in person.