To register a car in Hawaii that you bought out of state, you’ll need to submit an Application for Registration form or an Out-of-State Permit, confirmation of your vehicle’s weight, and proof of a Hawaii safety check inspection.

It’s not out of the ordinary to purchase a vehicle outside of your home state, but if you’re a resident of Hawaii, the steps you need to take in order to register your new vehicle are a bit different than if you’re living on the mainland in the U.S.

But, that doesn't mean that

car insurance

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, we’re also here to answer your burning questions about how to register a vehicle you purchased out of state in Hawaii. We’ll discuss what paperwork is necessary to complete your registration and how to buy a car in Hawaii if you live in another state. And we’ll wrap up by providing some tips on lowering your car insurance costs.

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How to buy a car out of state as a Hawaii resident

Buying a car out of state as a Hawaii resident can be done, but it’s a little more involved due to Hawaii’s location. The closest mainland state to Hawaii is

California

, but seeing as there are 2,390 miles of water between them, calling the two states close is a literal stretch.

For this reason, one of the required documents Hawaii residents need to submit to the

Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division of the DMV

is a lading or shipping receipt and a weight slip for all vehicles model year 2016 or newer. In addition to these verifications, you’ll also need to provide the following documentation:

Application for Registration of Motor Vehicle form

Certificate of Safety Inspection (you must provide

proof of insurance

at the time of the vehicle inspection)

Registration certificate from the state where you purchased the vehicle

Certificate of title

$45 state registration fee

The county tax you’ll need to pay when you register your vehicle is

determined by weight

. Vehicle weight tax is 1.25 cents per pound for passenger vehicles, with a minimum fee of $12. The exact amount of taxes and fees you need to pay in Hawaii will be determined by the registration personnel at the DMV.

If you’ve recently moved to Hawaii and the out-of-state vehicle you’re bringing along is registered in your name, you have the option of making an appointment with the DMV and completing an

Out-of-State Permit form

. The cost to obtain this permit is $5 and you’ll still need to go through a Hawaii safety check inspection.

Keep in mind that you must have front and back out-of-state license plates to pass the check, even if your previous state only required you to have a back license plate.

When you obtain an Out-of-State Permit, you’re non-Hawaii license plates will be valid for 12 months or until they expire—whichever comes first. If you plan on residing in Hawaii for longer than that, you’re going to need to register your vehicle with Hawaii license plates eventually, so it may be easier to skip this step altogether and register your car right away.

Residents must

make an appointment

to register an out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of bringing it to Hawaii. If the out-of-state vehicle you want to register has never been registered before—such as a brand new vehicle—you’ll also be asked for the following documentation:

Manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO) or a manufacturer statement of origin (MSO) signed and notarized by the dealership

Notarized bill of sale from the dealership (if the MCO or MSO is not notarized)

Certified Hawaii scaled weight (if the vehicle’s weight is not indicated on the MCO or MSO)

State of Hawaii

Tax Form G-27

if the vehicle’s model year is current, one year previous, or one year subsequent (i.e., 2021, 2022, 2023)

Once you’ve got all of this covered, you’ll receive a set of Hawaii license plates. From there, you’ll be required to renew your vehicle’s registration annually, which

can be done online

MORE:

What is the beautification fee in Hawaii?

How to buy a car in Hawaii if you live out of state

If you buy a car in Hawaii but reside in a different state, you’re going to need to have the vehicle shipped off of the island. The cost to ship a car to the mainland starts at $970.01, so it’s important that you plan ahead.

As for what to do when your vehicle arrives in your home state, the registration process will likely be similar to what Hawaii requires. You’ll need to present documents like the title and bill of sale to the DMV. You will also be expected to pay taxes to the state where you’re registering the car—not the state you bought it in.

What if I don’t have a physical title?

Hawaii requires you to have the

physical title

to register your car in-state. The title is the document that proves who owns the vehicle. Purchasing a vehicle without a title is just plain risky—and in some states, it’s even illegal.

MORE:

Title transfer Hawaii

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

You should never cut corners when you purchase a vehicle, but it’s especially important when you buy a vehicle out of state. To make sure your out-of-state vehicle purchase is legit, follow these basic guidelines:

Look into the vehicle’s history. You can easily check whether there’s anything in the vehicle’s past that might be concerning (such as if it was totaled or has been reported stolen) by typing the VIN into a website like

CARFAX

Get the vehicle inspected. A certified inspector will examine the components of the vehicle to ensure it is safe to drive.

Have an idea of what taxes you’ll need to pay. As we mentioned, Hawaii’s vehicle tax is determined by weight. For passenger cars, it’s 1.25 cents per pound.

Purchase the right amount of car insurance. Hawaii requires all registered drivers to purchase a no-fault liability insurance policy, which includes

personal injury protection (PIP)

MORE:

Hawaii car insurance laws—all you need to know

How to save on car insurance in Hawaii

Now that you’ve successfully registered your out-of-state vehicle in the Aloha State, make sure you’re not paying more for

car insurance

than you need to.

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Jerry

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