Hawaii Driving Records

A clean driving record can make all the difference, whether you are applying for a job, shopping for insurance, or handling certain legal matters. Driving records, also known as driving history reports or DMV driving records, generally provide a snapshot of your time behind the wheel.

Each state maintains its own motor vehicle records and controls access based on its own laws and privacy rules. Understanding how to access your Hawaii driving records may help to prepare you for whatever the road ahead brings.

What Is a Hawaii Driving Record?

A Hawaii driving record, compiled and maintained by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HIDOT) and the district courts' traffic violation bureaus, is an official document that tracks a motorist's history on the road. Such history may include traffic violations, convictions, collisions, and license suspensions.

While other states call these documents MVRs (motor vehicle reports or records), in Hawaii, they are formally referred to as driver history records (DHRs), traffic abstracts, or traffic court reports.

What Is The Difference Between Official DHRs and Public Driving Records?

Official DHRs are issued directly by a state agency, such as the HIDOT or a district court. These records are considered the most reliable and accurate source of a driver's history and are typically required for legal, official, or administrative purposes. Because they are regulated by state-specific laws, access and usage are strictly controlled.

In contrast, public driving records from third-party services like RecordsFinder include information typically gathered from various public sources. While not issued by the state, third-party sites like RecordsFinder are designed to provide a fast, easy-to-use alternative, and may be especially helpful when official records are hard to obtain. They are ideal for general reference or informal checks, but official DHRs are still the standard for legal use.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

You may need a Hawaii driving record for the following reasons:

• Employment screening: Employers, especially those hiring for driving-related positions, may request your driver history record (DHR) to evaluate your driving reliability.
• Auto insurance applications: Insurance providers often review driving records to assess risk and determine your premium rates.
• License reinstatement: If your driver's license has been suspended or revoked, a driving record may be required as part of the documentation for the reinstatement process.
• Court or legal matters: Courts may request your traffic abstract or DHR for hearings related to traffic violations or other legal proceedings.
• Personal review: Reviewing your own record may helps ensure all information is accurate and up to date, especially if you have recently had citations or completed defensive driving courses.
• Commercial driving requirements: If you are applying for or renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) in Hawaii, your driving history may be reviewed for eligibility.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

The information found in a Hawaii driver report may vary slightly depending on the source, whether it is an official DHR or a third-party report. However, these reports will generally include the following:

• The name, birth date, and mailing address of the driver
• Traffic violations and citations
• Convictions for traffic-related offenses
• Accidents and collisions
• Driver's license status (e.g., valid, suspended, revoked)
• License suspensions or revocations
• Accumulated points on the license, if applicable
• Court-related actions tied to driving offenses

Types of Driver Records Available in Hawaii

Hawaii mainly offers three types of driver records, each serving different needs based on how detailed the information must be. Whether for employment, insurance, or personal use, it is important to understand the distinctions between each record type. All of these records may be requested in certified or non-certified form, depending on the purpose for which they are needed.

Driver History Record (DHR)

The DHR is an official record that is useful for both commercial and non-commercial drivers. For commercial drivers, it lists any disqualifying convictions related to their commercial driver's license (CDL). Non-commercial drivers will see citations and preliminary convictions.

This report typically includes data from the past three years, as well as suspensions or revocations older than five years that are still in effect. Depending on their relevance, some older entries may also be included.

Traffic Abstract

Defined under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 287-3, the traffic abstract summarizes a driver's alleged moving violations, convictions, and administrative license revocations related to operating a vehicle.

It does not include parking or equipment violations, which is why it is sometimes called an "abbreviated" abstract. Traffic abstract is often used for insurance evaluations, employment background checks, and for other purposes where a person's basic driving history may be required.

Traffic Court Report

Often referred to as a "complete abstract", the traffic court report includes all traffic-related incidents, from moving violations and administrative license actions to equipment and parking citations. This detailed record is typically used for legal proceedings, comprehensive background checks, or personal record-keeping when a full driving history is needed.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Hawaii

In Hawaii, traffic violations are generally regulated under the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Title 17, Motor and Other Vehicles, specifically within the Statewide Traffic Code (291C). These laws cover many violations, from minor infractions like speeding to more serious offenses. Understanding these rules is crucial for drivers, as they dictate penalties for violations and outline the steps to take when receiving a traffic ticket, including how to pay or contest the citation.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Hawaii traffic offenses are either civil infractions or criminal violations.

Criminal traffic violations may be petty misdemeanors (punishable by up to 30 days in jail), misdemeanors (punishable by up to one year in jail), or felonies (punishable by more than one year in prison). Traffic infractions are usually divided into moving violations, parking violations, and equipment or other types of offenses.

Most traffic violations are civil infractions. These are non-criminal and usually involve the following:

• Speeding
• Running a stop sign or red light
• Driving without a seatbelt
• Parking where it's not allowed
• Expired safety check stickers

Generally, these types of violations do not result in jail time. However, penalties may include fines, fees, community service, or attending a traffic safety class. Many of these cases may be resolved without going to court. However, more serious violations like speeding or running a red light may show up on your traffic abstract, which is a public record of your driving violations.

Meanwhile, criminal traffic violations are more serious and are considered criminal offenses. These include:

• Driving without a valid license
• Driving without insurance (after the first offense)
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Reckless driving

These offenses may lead to jail time, fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. If you are charged with a traffic crime, you must appear in court. Missing your court date may result in a warrant for your arrest.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Hawaii traffic cases typically begin when a law enforcement officer issues a citation, also known as a traffic ticket. This ticket is filed with the court and requires the recipient to respond.

If you receive a ticket, you may either pay the fine or contest the charge. To admit and pay, you may do so online through eTraffic Hawaii, by phone at (800) 679-5949, by mail using the pre-addressed envelope provided, or in person at any district court.

Payments must be made within 21 days and may be made by check, money order (in U.S. dollars, payable to "District Court"), or credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard). Cash payment is not accepted, and a $25 fee applies for dishonored payments.

Online and phone payments are not available if your citation requires a court appearance, has not been entered into the system, or if 21 days have passed since issuance.

If you wish to contest the ticket, you must submit a written not-guilty plea within 30 days and attend the hearing set by the court.

How Does the Hawaii Point System Work?

Hawaii does not use a traditional point system like many other states. Instead, the state monitors your driving behavior through your official driving record. Each time you are cited for a traffic infraction or convicted of a serious offense like DUI or reckless driving, it is recorded and may lead to fines, license suspension, or even jail time.

Repeat violations generally raise red flags with both the court and your insurance company, often resulting in higher premiums. So, even without a point-based system, your driving history matters. Staying ticket-free keeps you on the road and out of trouble with a clean record and lower insurance costs.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History?

Hawaii law mandates that traffic violations bureau abstracts include all alleged moving violations, with certain violations retained for at least ten years for state sanctioning purposes.

For commercial drivers, federal regulations under 49 U.S.C. 31301 and related laws require even longer retention. Some violations must be reportable for up to 55 years to comply with federal rules. So, while your record may appear clean after a few years, certain violations, especially serious or commercial ones, may stay on your records for decades.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

In Hawaii, traffic violations are publicly accessible, meaning they may be accessed through government agencies and third-party public sites.

To remove traffic violations from public access, you must obtain an expungement or sealing order. Expungements, handled by the Attorney General's Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, apply to arrest records related to traffic offenses while sealing orders typically focus on court records and traffic abstracts.

While expungement or sealing does not erase the records, it makes them confidential, meaning they will not be accessible to the public. If your record appears on a public site, you may provide the expungement certificate or sealing order to request its removal.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

The process for checking your motor vehicle history in Hawaii depends on the type of record you need:

• Requesting a Hawaii driver history record (DHR): You may request a DHR either in person or by mail.
  • In Person:
    • Visit any Hawaii district court.
    • Bring a completed Request for Hawaii Driver History Record (Form DOTH 2067).
    • Present a valid photo ID (e.g., driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID).
    • Pay the required fee to complete your request.
  • By Mail:
    • Complete and notarize Form DOTH 2067.
    • Enclose the notarized form in a legal-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope.
    • Send it to any Hawaii district court with the correct fee via money order or cashier's check.
• Requesting a Hawaii traffic abstract: Traffic abstracts may also be requested in person or by mail.
  • In Person:
    • Go to any Hawaii district court.
    • Provide your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
    • Settle the required fee at the court.
  • By Mail:
    • Prepare a request including your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number.
    • Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
    • Send your request to any Hawaii district court with a money order or cashier's check for the required fee.
• Requesting a Hawaii court report: Traffic court reports are available only in person.
  • Visit any Hawaii district court.
  • Present a valid photo ID.
  • Pay the required fee (charged per page).
  • You may only request your own court report, not someone else's.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Hawaii?

A DHR in Hawaii costs $9, while a traffic abstract is $20. If you are requesting a court report, the fee is $1 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page. Payment methods generally include cash, check, or money order.

Processing times depend on the request method. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day, while mail requests may take 5 to 10 days to process and return.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

Official driving records, including DHR, traffic abstracts, or court reports, may not be accessed for free in Hawaii. Fortunately, some third-party websites may offer free lookups, but these provide limited information only.

You may also use eCourt Kokua, an online service from the Hawaii Judicial Branch, to view traffic case records at no cost. However, the records available through eCourt Kokua may not include complete case records. For detailed records, you may need to visit a district courthouse.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A bad driving record may have significant consequences. While Hawaii does not use a point system, moving violations like speeding may still affect your driving history. Non-moving violations, such as parking tickets, do not typically appear on your record, and traffic warnings are not officially recorded.

The consequences of a poor driving record from multiple moving violations may include license suspension, the need for SR-22 insurance, legal fines, and mandatory driver improvement courses.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

Bad driving records in Hawaii may have significant consequences on an individual's insurance and employment. For example, a speeding violation may lead to a $110 increase in their annual insurance premium, bringing it to an average of $1,189. Insurance companies generally consider drivers with violations like speeding to be "high-risk", which generally results in higher premium rates.

Additionally, a poor driver record may affect job prospects, especially for positions that require driving. Employers often review driving reports, and a history of violations may reduce your chances of getting hired for such roles.

Most insurance providers and employers focus on the past 3 to 5 years when assessing risk or making hiring decisions.

Who Can Access Your Hawaii Driving History?

In Hawaii, driving history records are generally available for public inspection during district court business hours under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, access to personal information is limited by federal and state laws.

The federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) restricts the release of details such as Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and medical data to protect drivers' privacy.

Hawaii enforces these protections through the HIDOT's Privacy Policy Statement and Rule 9 of the Hawaii Court Record Rules (HCRR). As a result, personally identifiable information may only be disclosed to parties with a legitimate reason or with the driver's consent.

FAQs About Hawaii Driving Records

Find the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below to learn more about driving records in Hawaii.

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