Moped / Scooter registration
Moped / Scooter registration in Hawaii: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits).
Who to contact
City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits)
Visit the official Hawaii pageStep by step
Complete moped registration Application Form CS-L(SS)41 (dealer completes for new mopeds; owner signs)
Pass the annual moped safety inspection and obtain a Certificate of Inspection
Carry the application and inspection certificate until the official registration/decal arrives by mail
Renew annually via DMV Now kiosk, AlohaQ appointment, satellite city hall, or mail
For ownership transfer, buyer completes transfer within 30 days with the signed certificate and Forms CS-L(SS)35 / CS-L(SS)47
What to bring
Fees & renewal
Fees
Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits).
Renewal
Renews annual.
Good to know
Distinct Hawaii moped rule: Act 200 (2016) ELIMINATED permanent moped registration and now requires ANNUAL registration and annual safety inspection of all mopeds. COUNTY-administered (Honolulu shown; Maui County page confirms the same requirement). A moped is capped at 2 hp / 30 mph; larger scooters are motorcycles. The page lists a $5 transfer fee and a $10 late penalty but does not print the base annual registration fee, so fees=null.
More for Hawaii
General guidance
Whether a moped or scooter needs a plate at all usually comes down to engine size and top speed — states draw that line in different places, and some skip registration entirely below a certain threshold. Pick your state below for the sourced answer.
Most states define a "moped" by a maximum engine displacement or top speed, and anything above that line registers as a motorcycle instead. The threshold differs by state — the state guide below states it where the agency has published it.
Some states require a full plate and registration for any moped operated on a public road; others require only a decal, a lower-tier registration, or nothing at all below the engine-size threshold. Check the state guide below for the real requirement.
A number of states let a standard driver’s license cover a moped, while others require a motorcycle endorsement above a certain engine size. This guide covers registering the vehicle; confirm license requirements with your state’s driver-license division.
Common questions
Yes — Hawaii requires registration for this vehicle type. City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services (Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits) handles it; see the steps above.
Hawaii lists a annual renewal cadence for this vehicle type.
Not in every state — some states only require registration above a certain engine size or top speed, and treat smaller mopeds as exempt. Check the state guide below for the sourced threshold and requirement.
States typically draw the line by maximum engine displacement or top speed. If your scooter is above your state’s threshold, it usually registers under the motorcycle process instead — see the Motorcycle guide.