Hawaii handles vehicle registration differently from almost every other state: there is no single statewide DMV. Each of the four counties — Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai — runs its own motor vehicle registration office, sets its own specialty plate offerings, and processes applications separately. If you’re trying to get a disabled veteran plate or the related fee benefit, that county-by-county structure changes how you apply. Here’s how it actually works.
Why Hawaii Vehicle Registration Works County by County, Not Statewide
Hawaii does not issue a plate explicitly labeled “Disabled Veteran.” Instead, counties offer general Veteran specialty plates (including options like Purple Heart and Combat Veteran, as well as motorcycle plates) for standard registration fees. Exact design availability varies by county.
What is consistent statewide is the driver’s license “Veteran” designation and the registration fee exemption for 100% disabled veterans—which is the main benefit most applicants are looking for.
Hawaii’s Registration Fee Exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans
This is Hawaii’s core financial benefit for disabled veterans, and it’s administered the same way in every county.
Eligibility
- A current VA rating of 100% service-connected disability
- Hawaii residency
- A discharge that was not dishonorable
- Limitation: The exemption applies to one vehicle only per veteran.
What It’s Worth
Approved veterans receive a $46 reduction on their annual state vehicle registration fee. For example, if your registration fee would otherwise be $246, the county deducts $46 and you pay the remaining $200. (Note: Passenger cars wholly subsidized by the VA may qualify for a full tax exemption).
2026 Honolulu Update: As of July 1, 2026, veterans aged 65 and older living in the City and County of Honolulu are eligible for an additional $20 exemption on their county registration fee.
How to Apply for the Fee Exemption: Step-by-Step
- Gather your current Hawaii driver’s license (to prove residency), your current VA decision letter confirming a 100% service-connected disability rating, and your current vehicle registration. Crucial: Your vehicle must have a current, unexpired registration and a valid safety check to qualify.
- Submit these documents to the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services by fax or email, and ensure you include your current mailing address.
- OVS reviews your documentation and mails you an original exemption letter. (They will also send a copy for your personal records).
- Bring that original, mailed letter to your county motor vehicle registration office when you register or renew your vehicle, so the $46 reduction is applied. Do not bring a printed email copy; the DMV will only accept the physical original.
- Repeat this process every year — the exemption is not automatically carried over, and a new original letter must be requested and presented annually.
Hawaii County Vehicle Registration Offices (Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai)
Because registration is handled locally, you’ll need to work with your own county’s office rather than a single state agency:
- Honolulu (Oahu): City and County of Honolulu, Division of Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permits
- Hawaii County (Big Island): County of Hawaii, Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division
- Maui County: County of Maui, Department of Finance, Motor Vehicle Registration
- Kauai County: County of Kauai, Motor Vehicle Registration Division
How to Add a “Veteran” Designation to Your Hawaii Driver’s License
Separately from any plate, Hawaii lets veterans add a “Veteran” designation to their state driver’s license or ID card. This is handled statewide through the Office of Veterans Services rather than county-by-county, and it’s worth doing even if you don’t pursue a specialty plate, since some businesses and agencies recognize the license designation on its own. You’ll typically need to provide your DD-214 or other proof of honorable service to OVS, which then confirms your veteran status to the county driver licensing office. Ask OVS whether this can be done at the same time you submit paperwork for the disability registration fee exemption, since combining the two requests in one visit can save a trip.
Do Hawaii Veteran Plates Include Accessible Parking Privileges?
A Hawaii veteran plate on its own does not necessarily grant accessible parking privileges unless it specifically displays the international symbol of access. If you need accessible parking, ask your county motor vehicle office about applying for a disability parking placard separately — this is typically a distinct process from the veteran plate or the registration fee exemption described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Plate design availability can vary by county, so confirm current offerings with your own county’s motor vehicle registration division before applying.
Yes. The original exemption letter from the Office of Veterans Services must be requested and presented annually at registration — it doesn’t renew automatically.
The $46 statewide registration fee exemption specifically requires a 100% service-connected disability rating. Veterans with lower ratings can still apply for a standard Veteran specialty plate, which carries no disability requirement.
Not automatically. Unless your plate specifically carries the accessibility symbol, plan on applying for a placard separately through your county if you need accessible parking.
The Office of Veterans Services accepts your request documentation by fax or email; check with OVS directly for the current submission address. However, remember that OVS will mail the original exemption letter back to you via traditional mail, as the DMV will not accept printed digital copies.
Conclusion:
Start with your county’s motor vehicle registration office to see which veteran plate designs are currently available where you live. If you’re rated 100% disabled, separately contact the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services with your VA decision letter to get your annual $46 registration exemption letter — that’s the step that delivers the most consistent value across all four counties.
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