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Search Hawaii Public Driving Records

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HI Public Driving Records

In Hawaii, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is the state agency in charge of information pertaining to driving records. The state does not have a Department of Motor Vehicles (Hawaii DMV). They stipulate on their website that individuals and companies can request a copy of someone's Hawaii Driver History Record (DHR) through the District Court system. These are most often used with commercial driving licenses (CDL). They also stipulate that a driving abstract or traffic court report may be required for additional information about driving offenses.

The District Court system offers two types of certified documents along with driving histories. The first is a driving abstract, and the second is called a traffic court report. They also provide driving records for those who request them. Each of the documents contains different information and is used for a specific purpose.

State driving records contain information about drivers and their driving behaviors. Each type will have the person's name on it, address, license renovations or suspensions, civil and criminal driving offenses, moving violations, other traffic violations, and sometimes medical information.

Things like DUIs will show up as well as reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter. The driver's license status will also show. 

 

How to Request a HI Driving Record

The Hawaii Department of Transportation has instructions for users on how to obtain a driving record in the state. They direct visitors to the District Courts to get a driving abstract, a traffic court report, or a full driving history record.

The State of Hawaii Judiciary has detailed instructions and information about each type of report on its website. They stipulate that individuals can get a copy of their driving abstract, traffic court report, or driving history by visiting any Traffic Violations Bureau or any District Court location. Requestors must pay for each type of report.

To request an abstract, the individual will need the person's full name, date of birth, and driver's license number. They can be requested in person or by mail using a self-addressed, stamped envelope and paying $20 via money order or cashier's check. A traffic report can be requested the same way. The office allows companies to purchase bulk traffic abstracts online through their portal. With some records the user must produce a valid state ID.

 

HI Driving Record Cost

When requesting any of the specific types of driving reports, the requestor must pay a fee. Depending on the kind needed and the number of pages, the cost may vary.

  • Traffic abstracts (sometimes called an abbreviated abstract) cost $20 each. However, they may not contain all infractions
  • A traffic court report (sometimes called a complete abstract) will contain everything, and they cost $1 for the first page and 50 cents per page after
  • A driver history report will cost the requestor $9

Employers and companies needing a lot of traffic abstracts can purchase them in bulk by paying for a subscription at $75/year or $23 per record.

 

Driving Laws in the State

Hawaii is one of the few states that does not use a point system for drivers. However, the Department of Transportation does keep track of all violations, and if someone incurs too many, they will revoke the person's driving privileges.

Someone must be 15 & 1/2 to begin driving using a learner's permit in the state. Before obtaining their license, teens can only drive during the day and only with an adult (21 or older) in the car with them. After they turn 16, they can apply for a provisional license. Then at age 17, after driving with the provisional license for at least six months, they can apply for a full license.

The state classifies traffic offenses into two categories, civil or criminal. They describe them as "Traffic crimes are criminal violations, petty misdemeanors (punishable by a maximum prison term of 30 days), misdemeanors (punishable by a maximum prison term of one year), or felonies (punishable by a prison term of more than one year). Traffic infractions divide into three categories: moving, parking or equipment/miscellaneous violations."

Non-criminal offenses can be paid by mailing in payment with the ticket. If, however, the person wants to contest the citation, they can show up in court. Criminal offenses must be tried in court, and a judge will determine the offender's fate.

If someone's driving history contains a lot of black marks, the answer may be signing up for a defensive driving or traffic school course. Not only can this help with the driving history report but also lowering car insurance rates.

 

Different Types of Driving Records in Hawaii

The state has three different types of driver reports available. The most common are listed below:

Driving Abstract (abbreviated report)

A driving abstract issued by the District Court system is an abbreviated report showing "all alleged moving violations and any convictions resulting therefrom, arising from the operation of a motor vehicle and any administrative license revocation." Parking and non-moving violations will not show up on this report. Users can request a copy of this type of report for $20. These are used most often for insurance providers and employment purposes.

Traffic Court Report (complete abstract)

A traffic court report is a complete case history of all infractions, whether they involved the court or not. That includes equipment and parking citations, civil and criminal infractions. Only the person listed on the report may request one after verifying their identity with a picture ID. These reports cost $1 for the first page and 50 cents per page after. These may be used for background checks and for insurance companies wanting more detail.

Driver History Report (DHR)

A driver history report will contain the person's entire driving history, including any license revocations, suspensions, and license status. It also shows the license class, any endorsements, and the expiration date of their current license. This report covers the last 3-5 years.

 

Criminal Driving Offenses

Criminal driving offenses are violations that do carry a punishment of jail time or prison. The State of Hawaii Judiciary defines it as "A traffic crime is a violation of a statute, ordinance or rule relating to traffic movement and control (including equipment, miscellaneous and parking offenses) for which the defendant can be sentenced to a possible prison term."

Some examples of criminal driving offenses include:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI or DWI) of an intoxicant
  • Driving without a valid license
  • Driving without automobile insurance
  • Reckless driving

These violations are very serious, and the defendant must appear in court on a specific day at a specified time. These violations may include arrest and bail. If the offender fails to appear in court, the judge may issue a bench warrant for their arrest and charge them with "failure to appear."

 

Civil Driving Offenses

Most traffic violations earned in the state are civil offenses. As defined by the Hawaii State Judiciary, "A civil traffic infraction is a violation of a statute, ordinance or rule relating to traffic movement and control (including parking, standing, equipment, miscellaneous and pedestrian offenses) for which the penalties do not include imprisonment." Usually, these types result in a traffic ticket.

Some example of civil driving offenses within the state include:

  • Speeding
  • Not using a seat belt
  • An expired inspection sticker
  • Running a stop sign
  • Driving without a license plate
  • Not stopping at a red light or yielding at a yield sign
  • Parking in a no-parking zone

The punishment for civil driving offenses may include a fine, fee, or surcharge, community service, court-ordered attendance at a safe driving class, or other programs.

These types of traffic violations are not technically "crimes"; therefore, the offender is not entitled to a jury trial in Hawaii District Court or other legal rights. Most often, they can be resolved without going to court by just paying the fee. These infractions will not show on someone's criminal record. Criminal traffic violations will also go on your driving record and may stay on it for up to 10 years.

The punishment for criminal driving violations in the state may include:

  • Steep fines
  • Jail or prison time
  • Community service
  • Participation in a safe driving or substance abuse program
 

State Driving Records Statistics

The state takes driving safety very seriously and is working on programs to decrease the number of accidents and traffic-related deaths.

Some interesting driving-related statistics for the state include:

  • Around 10-20 people are killed in the state riding on bikes or using a scooter
  • 20-30 people are hit by motorists while walking down the road
  • 40% of all vehicle-related deaths involved alcohol
  • In 2019, there were 37 traffic-related deaths in the state. Of those, 37, 11 were owners of the motor vehicles, 16 were pedestrians, six were driving motorcycles, two were using scooters, and the other two were on bikes
  • 25% of pedestrians in the state die from being hit by a passing car
  • Every year, the state has about 120-150 fatal car crashes
  • With automobile accidents in the state, the leading cause is speeding
  • There are about 10,000 serious car accidents in the state each year which include injuries and property damage
  • In the state, 90% of child safety seats are improperly installed
  • DUI is the second leading cause of car-related deaths in the state
  • Distracted driving and reckless driving are also on the list of causes, along with failure to yield, crossing the yellow line, incorrect U-turns, and following too close
  • In 2013, 21 people died while driving an SUV or small truck
  • Three people killed in car accidents in 2013 were driving large commercial trucks
 

Driving Records Search Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions about state driving records.

Who Can Get a Copy of Your Driving History Report?

Any person can get a copy of their own driving history report easily in person or through the mail. A motor carrier, employer, or other company may also get a copy of your driving history report. However, when doing so, the request must come from the driver, and the report will be sent directly to the recipient (motor carrier or prospective motor carrier). The form must also be notarized.

Can I Order a state MVR Online?

No. This state does not have an online system for ordering driver history records or abstracts except for commercial clients.

What Does a History Record Show?

According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, a driving history record will show:

  • The name, date of birth, and mailing address of the person listed
  • The driver's license class, endorsements, and restrictions
  • The current status and the expiration date of the driver's license
  • Any crashes, moving traffic violations, failures to appear, and suspensions and revocations of the person's driver's license, including those in other states
  • Information reported within the past three years from the date of inquiry and suspensions and revocations over five years old that are still in effect

What if I Need a Lot of Reports?

If you are an employer, the Hawaii Department of Transportation offers a bulk abstract service for $75/year.

Does Hawaii Use a Points System for Traffic Violations?

No, they do not. However, they do keep track of all violations, and when you earn too many, you will lose your license for a period of time or forever.

How Do I Get Points Removed from My License?

Although Hawaii does not use a point system, you could still lose your license if you have too many violations. To avoid that, you could sign up for a safe driver course and provide the Department of Transportation with a copy of your completed attendance.

 

Helpful State Driving Record Links

Below are some helpful state driving record links.

Disclaimer: The materials presented here are for informational purposes only. The information is taken from state and local resources, and is current as of the most recent site update. Changes made by state and local departments and agencies after our latest update may render some information and fees outdated, and may cause links to break and forms to be unavailable. Infotracer strongly encourages you to visit the relevant state and local resources to ensure you have the most recent information.