Need to get a copy of your Hawaii driving record?
Whatever the reason for needing one, whether to apply for auto insurance or for legal reasons, requesting a driving record in Hawaii is simple.
How do you request for one?
Read our guide on how to get your Hawaii driving record (also called MVR) to find out.
Let’s get started!
Why Do You Need Your Hawaii Driving Record?
Hawaii driving reports summarize your driving history in the state, including traffic violations, tickets, accidents, and convictions.
You will need to check your driving record regularly for violation records. Too many violations on your record can lead to license suspension or high insurance premiums. (We’ll talk more about this below.)
Identity theft is also possible, so make it a habit to monitor and verify that all information on your driving record is accurate.
Driving records in Hawaii are also used:
- For identification and investigation of debt collection and personality theft
- By employers and HR for background checks for pre-employment screening
- By insurance agencies for reviewing claims and making policy rates
- By government agencies and private investigators for court and legal proceedings
What are the Types of Driving Records in Hawaii?
There are three (3) types of Hawaii driving records:
- Driving history record
- Traffic abstract
- Traffic court report
Driving History Record
This is a 3-year report that contains personal information, including your name, date of birth, and mailing address. It will also contain license information from the past three years, including your license status, traffic violations, accidents, suspensions and revocations, and failure to appear cases.
Your driving history record (DHR) can be used by:
- Commercial vehicle operators to track CDL disqualifying conviction types according to FM-CSA rules
- Non-commercial vehicle operators to track citations and preliminary convictions. Individuals will need a traffic abstract or traffic court report to show final court disposition and overturned convictions.
Note: the DHR is NOT a certified document.
Traffic Abstract
This type of driving record is a less detailed or abbreviated record containing moving violations, convictions, and revocations.
This type of report is most useful for employers and auto insurance companies that want to check your driving habits and behavior.
Traffic Court Report
This record is a complete abstract of your driver’s license and driving history. It will contain your traffic abstract plus additional information on parking citations and equipment involved.
Traffic court reports are only released to the driver of the record. No one else can request your traffic court report.
How to Request For a Hawaii Driving Record?
Drivers can request their own Hawaii driving records in person or by mail.
Note: if you’re an employer looking to scan your employees’ traffic abstract record, you need to make them request it for you.
Here are the fees for each type of driving record:
- DHR - $9
- Traffic abstract - $20
- Traffic court report - $1 for the first page and 50¢ for each additional page.
Now, let’s get into the details of how to request your driving record.
In-person
To order a copy of your DHR, traffic abstract, or traffic court report, you may visit the Traffic Violations Bureau at the Honolulu District Court or any other local District Court location.
For all driving record types, you will need to fill out the Request for Hawaii Driver History Record and show proof of identification.
Proof of identification includes your full name, birth date, and license number. For a traffic court report, you also need to provide photo identification.
If requesting a DHR or traffic abstract, you may do so through the mail.
Note: you cannot request a traffic court report by mail. You can only request for it in person.
To do that, print and fill out the Hawaii Driver History Record Form. Since you are not delivering it in person, you need to have it notarized.
When mailing the form, be sure to include your payment (money order or cashier check payable to the District Court) along with information on your full name, date of birth, and driver’s license in a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Mail your request to the District Court in your area.
What To Do With Your Hawaii Driving Record?
Obtaining your Hawaii driving record will allow you to check the violations on your record and your license status.
Tip: whenever you receive a citation, it will be a good idea to request a copy of your Hawaii driving record.
If you find errors on your record, contact the Hawaii Department of Transportation immediately:
Phone: 808.692.7656
Email: DriverRecords.hwyv@Hawaii.gov
If you have any questions about Hawaii convictions, you may forward your concerns to your local District Court. For concerns regarding licensing (suspensions, revocations, disqualifications, please approach your local county driver licensing office.
Does Hawaii Have a Point System?
The Hawaii Department of Transportation has scrapped its Traffic Point System altogether. Instead of having to go to court, traffic offenses are now assessed a monetary fine.
However, more serious traffic offenses, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, will require a court.
Having no point system in place does not mean that there are no repercussions to minor offenses, such as speeding, running traffic lights, and improper lane changes.
Collecting these violations on your record can lead to larger fines, community service, and license suspension/revocation.
For more information on traffic fines in Hawaii, visit the official eTraffic Hawai`i website.
What are Defensive Driving Courses in Hawaii?
Since Hawaii no longer follows a point system, there is no law allowing drivers to take defensive driving classes to remove existing points and violations on their driving record
However, on a case-to-case basis, some drivers may be required by a Hawaii court to take defensive driving courses for a conviction of a serious offense.
Also, some drivers may be allowed to take a defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket and avoid the violation from entering his/her driving record.
Depending on your case, you can use a defensive driving course to:
- Satisfy Hawaii court requirements
- Dismiss a traffic ticket
- Earn auto insurance premium discounts
- Improve Hawaii road laws and driving techniques to avoid getting more traffic tickets
Note: before taking a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal and/or auto insurance discounts, you must always ask your court handler or insurance provider if they will accept it.
Looking for a quality defensive driving course?
We highly recommend GoToTrafficSchool!
This online traffic school is state-approved. You can take charge of your study schedule with 100% self-paced learning resources, including text, video, audio, and animations available 24/7 on any device.
Conclusion
If you need to get a copy of your Hawaii driving record, you can request for one through the mail or walk-in.
It’s very easy. All you need to do is fill up a form, pay the fee, and provide some personal information and identification.
Remember, checking your driving record periodically for errors and monitoring your violations is necessary to avoid license suspension and revocation, ticket fines, and high auto insurance rates.
Also, one of the most convenient ways to avoid getting ticketed is by improving your knowledge of traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and responsible driving with an online defensive driving course.