Hawaii SR-22 requirements after a DUI
Hawaii requires an SR-22 filing for 3 years only after a second or subsequent DUI; a first offense does not trigger it.
What Hawaii says
Required for repeat OVUII revocations, not for a first offense. HRS § 287-20(a) (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act) provides that whenever a license is suspended or revoked (1) under part III of chapter 291E (administrative revocation), except as provided in § 291E-41(f), or (2) upon conviction of any offense, no license may be reissued 'unless and until the person has furnished and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility' — but the section expressly does not apply to a revocation under § 291E-61(b)(1) (first OVUII conviction), and § 291E-41(f) excludes a first administrative revocation under § 291E-41(b)(1). § 287-20(b)(1) separately lists 'operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant' among offenses for which the administrator must suspend the license until proof is furnished when a court had discretion to suspend but did not. Under § 287-40(a)(1) the proof may be cancelled after three years if no further qualifying conviction is recorded. The statute uses the term 'proof of financial responsibility' (a certificate of insurance under § 287-22, bond, or deposit), not 'SR-22'; it is filed with the county 'administrator' (chief of police or director of finance, § 287-1). The Honolulu Department of Customer Services handles this through its Financial Responsibility Section.
“(a) Whenever a driver's license has been suspended or revoked: (1) Pursuant to section 291E-65 or part III of chapter 291E, except as provided in section 291E-41(f); (2) Upon a conviction of any offense pursuant to law”
Ignition interlock statute (see the state page): Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291E-61
At a glance
| Filing required after a DUI | Repeat offenses only |
|---|---|
| Form | SR-22 |
| Filing period | 3 years |
| License reinstatement fee | $20 (City and County of Honolulu driver licensing; fees are set per county) |
| Licensing agency | Hawaii Department of Transportation (Ignition Interlock Program); driver licensing is administered by the county driver licensing offices, and administrative revocations by the Hawaii State Judiciary's Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO) |
Which filing, and what triggers it
Form: SR-22
Hawaii's statute uses the term 'proof of financial responsibility', given by filing a certificate of insurance with the county 'administrator' (the chief of police or director of finance of each county, HRS § 287-1; certificate described in § 287-22). Maui County's Financial Responsibility Section calls the insurer's filing the 'SR-22 Form', submitted through the insurance company (the office does not provide the form). On Oahu the Honolulu Department of Customer Services' Financial Responsibility Section handles the requirement.
“If you have received an order of requirement for proof of financial responsibility or suspension, the order was issued as a result of a traffic court conviction. If you are required or choose to submit an SR-22 Form, please contact your insurance company.”
What triggers it
Repeat OVUII only. HRS § 287-20(a) requires proof after a license suspension or revocation (1) under part III of chapter 291E (administrative revocation) 'except as provided in section 291E-41(f)' or (2) upon a conviction - but expressly does not apply to a revocation under § 291E-61(b)(1) (first OVUII conviction), and § 291E-41(f) states the requirement 'shall not be based upon a revocation under subsection (b)(1)' (first administrative revocation). § 287-20(b)(1) also requires the administrator to suspend until proof is furnished when a court with discretion to suspend for operating under the influence did not do so. No official source states that a first adult OVUII requires the filing.
“(f) The requirement to provide proof of financial responsibility pursuant to section 287-20 shall not be based upon a revocation under subsection (b)(1).”
How long it stays on file, and from when
3 years, the source does not state when the period starts.
HRS § 287-40(a)(1) lets the administrator cancel the certificate or waive proof 'at any time after three years from the date the proof was required' if no conviction requiring or permitting suspension or revocation was recorded during that three-year period, and § 287-40(c) requires proof to be reestablished for the remainder of the three-year period after a surrender. The statute counts from 'the date the proof was required' and does not name the conviction, suspension, filing or reinstatement date as that event; under § 287-20(a) the requirement attaches when a license is suspended or revoked. No county page states the duration or a start date.
“(1) At any time after three years from the date the proof was required when, during the three-year period preceding the request, the administrator has not received record of a conviction that would require or permit the suspension or revocation of the license”
If the policy is cancelled or lapses
HRS § 287-33 bars cancellation or termination of a certified policy until at least ten days after a notice of cancellation or termination is filed in the administrator's office; § 287-39 requires the administrator to demand other proof and suspend the license and registration pending its filing; § 287-40(c) requires proof cancelled after a license surrender to be reestablished for the remainder of the three-year period. No official page names an SR-26 form or says the period restarts after a lapse.
“the insurance so certified shall not be canceled or terminated until at least ten days after a notice of cancellation or termination of the insurance so certified is filed in the office of the administrator”
Non-owner and out-of-state policies
| Non-owner (operator) policy | Accepted |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state insurer or resident | Accepted |
HRS § 287-21 allows proof 'with respect to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle' to be given by a certificate of insurance; § 287-22 waives vehicle designation when the policy is issued to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle; § 287-26 defines a driver's policy covering use of vehicles not owned by the insured. The county financial-responsibility pages do not address non-owner filings.
“Proof of financial responsibility when required under this chapter with respect to a motor vehicle or with respect to a person who is not the owner of a motor vehicle may be given by filing: (1) A certificate of insurance as provided in section 287-22 or 287-23”
HRS § 287-23(a) lets a nonresident file the certificate of an insurer authorized in the state where the vehicle is registered (or where the insured resides if no vehicle is owned), provided the carrier executes a power of attorney for service of process and agrees in writing that the policy conforms to Hawaii law. The Honolulu CSD FAQ says a person outside Oahu obtains financial-responsibility requirements by signed written request, and that an out-of-state person clears an OVUII revocation with the ADLRO relicensing form. No county page addresses filings for drivers now living elsewhere.
“The nonresident owner of a motor vehicle not permanently registered in the State may give proof of financial responsibility by filing with the administrator a written certificate ... of an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in the state in which the motor vehicle ... is registered”
Liability limits the filing certifies
Minimum limits: 40/80/20
HRS § 287-1 defines proof of financial responsibility by the amounts in former § 294-10(a), and the Legislature's note says 'For present provision, see §431:10C-301'; § 431:10C-301(b) (as amended by L 2024, c 138) requires liability coverage of not less than $40,000 per person / $80,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage, plus uninsured motorist coverage in the same bodily-injury limits unless rejected in writing and an offer of underinsured motorist coverage. § 287-25 still recites older owner's-policy figures ($10,000/$20,000/$5,000) that predate the current mandatory-insurance minimums.
“(1) Liability coverage of not less than $40,000 per person, with an aggregate limit of $80,000 per accident, for all damages arising out of accidental harm ... (2) Liability coverage of not less than $20,000 for all damages arising out of damage to or destruction of property”
How the filing is confirmed
On Oahu, the Honolulu Department of Customer Services' Financial Responsibility Section (Kapalama Driver Licensing Center) answers requests about financial-responsibility requirements in person with identification, or by signed written request (mail or fax) for people not on Oahu, with a reply by mail, fax or e-mail; Maui County's Financial Responsibility Section requires an in-person visit with identification and does not give information by telephone. The ADLRO FAQ says any 'stoppers' from the Office of Financial Responsibility must be cleared before relicensing.
Agency page: www.honolulu.gov
“How do I clear my driver's license suspension with the Financial Responsibility Section on Oahu? If you are not on Oahu, a signed written request is required in order to obtain information regarding your financial responsibility requirements”
Financial-responsibility statute
“nor shall the person thereafter operate a motor vehicle, unless and until the person has furnished and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility; provided that this section shall not apply to a license suspended or revoked pursuant to section 291E-61(b)(1) or 291E-64(b)(1)”
How an SR-22 works in general — who files it, why premiums differ, and what an SR-26 is — is explained in the glossary; everything above is specific to this state and quoted from its sources.
Questions about SR-22 in Hawaii
- Does a first OVUII in Hawaii require proof of financial responsibility (SR-22)?
- HRS § 287-20(a) states that the section 'shall not apply to a license suspended or revoked pursuant to section 291E-61(b)(1)' (a first OVUII conviction), and HRS § 291E-41(f) states the § 287-20 requirement 'shall not be based upon a revocation under subsection (b)(1)' (a first administrative revocation). The requirement applies to later suspensions or revocations and, under § 287-20(b)(1), where a court with discretion to suspend for operating under the influence did not do so.
- How long must the proof stay on file in Hawaii, and from when?
- HRS § 287-40(a)(1) allows the county administrator to cancel the certificate or waive proof 'at any time after three years from the date the proof was required', provided no conviction that would require or permit suspension or revocation was recorded during that three-year period. Under § 287-40(c), a person whose proof was cancelled after surrendering the license must reestablish it for the remainder of the three-year period.
- Who handles the SR-22 filing in Hawaii and how is it confirmed?
- Under HRS §§ 287-1 and 287-22 the insurer's certificate is filed with the county administrator. The Honolulu Department of Customer Services FAQ says financial-responsibility requirements are handled by its Financial Responsibility Section in person or by signed written request; Maui County's Financial Responsibility Section states the SR-22 Form is submitted through the insurance company and that records are reviewed in person, not by telephone.
- What is needed to get a Hawaii ignition interlock permit?
- Per HRS § 291E-61(i), the court issues an ignition interlock permit upon proof that the defendant installed an IID in any vehicle operated and obtained insurance complying with HRS § 431:10C-104 or § 431:10C-105. The ADLRO FAQ lists the IID installation agreement, proof of valid motor vehicle insurance, and an IIP application for administrative cases.
Sources
- HRS § 287-20 Proof of financial responsibility required upon conviction of certain offenses - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-1 Definitions ('administrator', 'proof of financial responsibility'; revisor note pointing to § 431:10C-301) - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-21 Alternate methods of giving proof - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-22 Certificate of insurance as proof - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-23 Certificate furnished by nonresident as proof - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-24 to § 287-26 Motor vehicle liability policy; owner's and driver's policy requirements - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-26 Driver's policy requirements - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-33 Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-39 Other proof may be required - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-40 Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 431:10C-301 Required motor vehicle policy coverage (minimum limits) - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 291E-41 Effective date, conditions, and period of administrative revocation (subsection (f)) - Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 291E-61 Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (subsection (b)(1) first-offense sentencing) - Hawaii State Legislature
- City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services - Driver's License FAQ (Financial Responsibility Section; OVUII clearance; $20 reinstatement fee)
- City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services - Fee Table (no financial-responsibility filing fee listed)
- County of Maui, Department of Finance - Financial Responsibility Sections (SR-21 / SR-22 Form submitted through the insurance company)
- Hawaii State Judiciary - ADLRO Frequently Asked Questions (Office of Financial Responsibility 'stoppers')