Motorcycle registration
Motorcycle 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 Application for Registration Form CS-L(MVR)1
Obtain a current Hawaii Vehicle Inspection (safety) Certificate
Submit at a DMV self-service kiosk, online, at a satellite city hall, or by mail with payment
Renew by the last working day of the registration's expiration month
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
The page lists 'Motorcycles and motor scooters' among registered vehicles. COUNTY-administered; annual renewal. Fees are weight/type-based rather than a single printed figure (null). A 'motor scooter' exceeding moped limits (over 2 hp / 30 mph) registers as a motorcycle, not a moped.
More for Hawaii
General guidance
A street-legal motorcycle registers through the same motor vehicle agency as a car in every state, but the required inspection, insurance minimums, and endorsement rules differ. Pick your state below for the sourced process.
Registering the motorcycle (titling it and getting a plate) is a different process from getting licensed to ride one. This guide covers registering the vehicle; check your state agency’s driver-license division for the separate rider endorsement.
Many states require a physical VIN verification or safety inspection before they will register a motorcycle bought used or brought in from another state. The state guide below notes when this applies.
Some states set separate minimum liability insurance requirements for motorcycles. Confirm proof-of-insurance requirements with the agency in your state guide before you register.
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.
Yes. Registration titles the vehicle and issues a plate; the license or endorsement is a separate credential that lets you legally ride. This guide covers registering the vehicle — your state’s driver-license division handles the rider endorsement.
Many states require one, especially for a bike bought out of state or from a private seller. Check the state guide below for whether your state requires it and where it happens.