Vehicle buyers in Hawai'i should conduct a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check to ensure the used car they want is safe to buy. VIN checks give buyers more information about the vehicle's history, building their confidence before making a life-changing purchase.
Hawai'i has some of the most scenic landscapes in the United States. With beautiful beaches and multiple volcanic mountains around the state, having a car makes it easy to visit the different scenery. Due to the rough mountain terrain around the highlands, most residents prefer buying used trucks to help with the commute.
Buying a used car can be challenging, especially if one does not know its history and condition. However, one way to fill those gaps is by looking up the vehicle's VIN. A VIN check gives the buyer a good idea of the necessary maintenance and repairs a vehicle may need. In addition, it will highlight any issues associated with the vehicle (such as theft) that could lead to conviction or penalties.
Hawai'i used car buyers can conduct a VIN check in various ways. The first is to use the County Department of Motor Vehicles services. Likewise, Hawaiian residents can use free and paid online VIN check services. Lastly, a potential buyer can use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to look up a car's information using the VIN or number plates.
During a VIN check, the vehicle history report will show specifications such as model, body type, year, and make. In addition, it provides in-depth information such as the odometer readings for consistency, reported accidents, damage and the extent of repairs, vehicle use, title brands and information, theft reports, routine service reports, and current registration details.
VIN verification is the inspection of a vehicle to verify that its vehicle identification number matches the registration details and title documents. VIN verification in Hawai'i is necessary if you purchase an out-of-state vehicle. You can get VIN verification to use it legally in the state.
Hawai'i has designated vehicle inspection stations throughout the state where people can verify their vehicle's VINs. At these stations, authorized personnel confirm that the car's code matches the information on official documents and ensure validity.
Additionally, VIN verification is also conducted by law enforcement agencies such as police stations and sheriff's offices.
During a VIN verification in Hawai'i, the state requires owners to bring proof of ownership. It can be the vehicle title, registration, or bill of sale. Authorities will also require government-issued identification and, in some cases, insurance documentation.
It is worth noting that the requirements and process of VIN verification vary according to counties because there is no state-wide DMV.
Hawai'i has a high car ownership rate. The percentage of households with at least one vehicle is 92.0%, translating to an average of 2.7 vehicles per household. The average number of vehicles per 1,000 licensed drivers is 1,319.6.
Hawai'i has about 943,173 licensed drivers. In 2023, each driver clocked an annual mileage of about 11,024.
The most popular car in Hawai'i is the Toyota Tacoma, perhaps because the state has active volcanoes that require an excellent off-roading vehicle. It also explains the popularity of other cars in the state, such as the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and the Ford Explorer.
Hawai'i is considered one of the safest states for motorists in the country. The yearly car crash fatalities per 100,000 people is 6.5.
Hawai'i is among the states with the least number of fatal car accidents, perhaps because the state has the lowest speed limits of any state. The total number of fatalities from car accidents in 2023 was 92.
In 2022, 25 fatalities resulted from impaired driving crashes in Hawai'i.
The state of Hawai'i, in 2022, had 48 fatalities which were caused by speeding.
Distracted driving is a big problem and a leading cause of accidents in Hawai'i. The state comes second after New Mexico in the rate of fatal crashes involving distracted drivers. 29% of fatal crashes in Hawai'i involved distracted drivers.
In 2023, eight teen drivers died in car accidents.
Hawai'i is a unique state that does not have a state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Instead, each county government manages vehicle registration.
For example, residents of the City and County of Honolulu must go to the Department of Customer Services for vehicle registration. The State Department of Transportation provides links to the various DMVs.
While the DMVs vary according to county, they share some basic responsibilities such as:
Hawai'i drivers can access resources and information that offer assistance, promote safety, and provide valuable information related to vehicles and driving. They include:
Individuals buying used cars in Hawai'i can find helpful tips about the process from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Buyers and sellers should consider the following during and after the process:
The state has a Lemon Law that protects residents who buy vehicles that are not up to standard. For a car to be covered under the law, it must be new or transferred to a new owner while the manufacturer's warranty is still in effect. The owner should have used the car primarily for personal purposes or owned or leased by a business for less than a year.
However, the law does not cover moped or motor scooters. Additionally, vehicles over 10,000 pounds in gross weight are not covered.
Furthermore, before buying a car, residents should know that Hawai'i also has a sales tax. The state requires a person to pay a 4% tax rate on any statewide sales, whether for a new or used car. However, this might rise to 4.5% if a county is subject to additional tax.
A buyer might also need to pay a general excise tax plus the 4% rate based on a car's weight. The tax starts from 1.75 cents of paper pound and goes up to 4,000 lb.
Buyers must print and sign their names on the front of the certificate title. In addition, to complete the transfer, individuals must transfer the endorsed certificate of title, current safety inspection certificate, and the current certificate of registration within 30 days.
Buyers must complete a VIN check to ensure the car is not reported as stolen or involved in any other fraudulent activity. In addition, it verifies the information the seller gives.
VIN checks in Hawai'i are important and necessary for the following reasons:
If a person wants to check a car's VIN in Hawai'i, they can either:
Hawai'i does not have a state-wide motor vehicle department. However, every county in the state has a County Department of Motor Vehicles that individuals can use to get information about a car's history.
Hawai'i residents can also use the NHTSA website to look up a car's VIN information before purchasing.
InfoTracer is an online database that you can use to conduct VIN checks on cars in Hawai'i. The report also contains valuable information, such as vehicle history.
The state does not provide any information about VIN replacement. Still, it does talk about providing state-issued vehicle identification numbers to street rod vehicles manufactured after 1967 to resemble cars made before 1968. The state VIN is assigned by the director of finance in the county in which the vehicle resides.
To get the state vehicle identification number, an individual has to:
To register a new car or an out-of-state car that has not been registered, a person should:
After buying a car in Hawai'i, the new owner should ensure that the car's title of ownership is transferred. The transfer of the title will also transfer the car's VIN. Here are simple steps to ensure the car's titles are transferred:
The new owner must provide the form to a satellite city hall within 30 days after the date of sale.
A Vehicle History Report (VHR) in Hawai'i, as in other locations, includes a comprehensive overview of a vehicle's background. It provides valuable information for potential buyers. The specific details in a Hawai'i vehicle history report may vary depending on the service provider, but standard components typically include the VIN, title information, odometer readings, and accident history.
Individuals may use third-party sites that allow individuals to find a car's VIN using the license plate details.
Hawai'i requires all vehicles over two years old to undergo an annual safety inspection to remain registered. In addition, car owners must have their cars inspected when registering a vehicle, renewing, and transferring an out-of-state registration.
Car owners may get car inspections at authorized service stations or auto repair shops. However, to be safe, the Hawai'i Department of Transportation lists safety inspection stations by county.
A standard vehicle inspection report will include information such as: