Hawaii

Legality

As of 2025, importing and registering JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles in Hawaii is fully legal, provided all federal importation and state registration requirements are met. Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from DOT and EPA compliance under federal import laws.

Hawaii does not restrict the registration of right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles as long as the vehicle passes state inspection and is properly titled.

Vehicle inspection

All vehicles in Hawaii must undergo a safety inspection before registration. For newly imported JDM vehicles, the process involves obtaining a failed safety check first (since the car is not yet registered). Once you complete registration and receive license plates, you return to the same inspection station to receive a valid safety check certificate.

Required before safety inspection:

• VIN Verification
• Weight Scale Certificate
• Proof of Insurance

Inspection stations will issue a temporary failed safety check until registration is complete.

Title and registration

To register your JDM vehicle in Hawaii, you must provide the following documents at the DMV (Kapahulu Motor Vehicle Control Office recommended):

Required documents:

• Bill of Sale
• Original Japanese Export Certificate (in Japanese)
• Translated Export Certificate (English translation)
• Bill of Lading (from shipping company)
• Weight Scale Certificate (1914 Hau St, Honolulu, HI 96819)
• VIN Verification (from Kapahulu MCO)
• Proof of Vehicle Insurance
• Failed Safety Check Paperwork

Most applicants spend about 1.5 days completing the full process from dock pickup to DMV title issuance.
Estimated total cost: ≈ $1,500

Registration notes

• Registration month is based on the month the vehicle landed, not when it was picked up.
• 25-year import rule allows for 2000 model-year vehicles and older to be imported in 2025.
• Right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles are legal to operate in Hawaii.