Picking up your POV and Driving in Hawaii

Your privately-owned vehicle (POV) will be shipped to Sand Island, Honolulu. You may call the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO), located at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) complex to check on the status of your vehicle, or check the tracking website at http://www.whereismyPOV.com. The number for inbound POVs is (808) 848-8383. Once your POV has arrived on island, take the Sand Island Access Road from Nimitz Highway. Continue until you cross two stop lights. Take the first left turn into the fenced roadway, at Pier 51B, which is marked with two signs: Matson Navigations Company and Matson Autos. Continue on this roadway, following the Autos signs.

Registering your Vehicle In Hawaii
All automobiles used on the highway must be registered with the State of Hawaii within 10 days of arrival. If you are not a legal resident of Hawaii, you may keep your original vehicle license plates, but you must register your car to get a Hawaii vehicle permit sticker. To complete vehicle registration, you are required to have proof of ownership or certificate of registration; shipping documents; and a Hawaii no-fault insurance coverage. Additionally, Hawaii requires an annual safety inspection for all vehicles; valid identification card; and Non-residentCertificateForm DSL50 (to be signed by your commanding officer verifying your home of record as reflected in your service record).

Driver's License Registration and Identification
Driver's licenses issued by your home state are generally valid in Hawaii until they expire. If you wish to apply for a Hawaii driver's license, you must present your Social Security card and current out-of-state license. If your out-of state license has expired, you will be required to ­complete an applicationform, take and pass a written examination, eye test and a road test. Your original license will not be returned. You must be 16 years of age to obtain a driver's license in Hawaii. Persons 18 years of age and older, with a valid driver's license from other states or Canada, may drive in Hawaii until their license expires or is otherwise declared invalid. Drivers, aged 16 and 17, must obtain legal parental or guardian consent, as well as pass a required driver's education course. In addition, a driver's education class is now required for those under 18. Driver licensing stations are usually located at district police stations, and are run by the individual county. In 2009, Hawaii added legislation banning the use of electronic devices while driving.

You may obtain a license at the following locations (also found at http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/csd/vehicle/dllocations.htm):

Oahu
Main Locations
Kalihi-Kapalama
Wahiawa
Waianae
Kapolei
Koolau

Satellite Locations
(renewals and duplicates only)
Fort Street Mall
Windward City Shopping Center
Hawaii Kai
Pearlridge
Maui
Kahului
Lahaina
Kihei
Makawao
Hana
Kauai
Lihue

The driver's license stations throughout most of the Hawaiian islands can manufacture on-site a complete plastic driver's license with photograph. At some locations, permanent driver's licenses will be mailed to the drivers who successfully pass the driving test. Motorcycle licenses and registration are handled by the individual county DMV.

Listed below are some helpful items to keep in mind when applying for a Hawaii driver's license.
The vehicle you drive must have current license plates, registration and safety check.
The Hawaii motor vehicle insurance card must be current and valid. The name of the insured must be the same as the registered owner of the vehicle.
Have all personal data proof documents when reporting for a driver's license. In addition to presenting a Social Security card, you must also present a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
Those receiving treatment for alcohol or substance abuse are required to have medical clearance to receive a driver's license.
Oral examination provisions may be available for those who are unable to read, write or understand English.
An instruction permit must be attained prior to applying for a road test.
Those ages 15 to 17 must hold an instruction permit for no fewer than 90 days.
For further details, contact the Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Registration Department at one of their two main locations.

Insuring Your Vehicle in Hawaii
The following steps will help guide you in obtaining insurance in Hawaii. First, you will need to purchase an auto insurance policy provided by a Hawaii carrier. Out-of-state auto insurance policies are not valid for registering your vehicle in Hawaii. When you are registering your vehicle, you will need to show proof of auto insurance by presenting a Hawaii vehicle identification card (VIC), which should be kept in the vehicle at all times.

An auto insurance policy will cover losses that can result from damages or injuries sustained from an accident. The following are the minimum mandatory auto insurance coverages for all vehicles operated on Hawaii roads:

Bodily Injury Liability (BI)
$20,000 per person/$40,000 per accident

Property Damage Liability (PD)
$10,000 per accident

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
$10,000 per person

Optional coverages that offer additional protection including uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage and collision is also available.

Once you have purchased a Hawaii auto insurance policy, you can register your vehicle with the State of Hawaii, which must be done within 10 days of arrival.

Safe Driving in Hawaii
Driving in Hawaii is a little different from other states. Use the following safe driving tips below to help keep you and your family safe on the road:

Local residents do not use North, South, East and West when giving driving directions. They will tell you to head mauka (toward the mountain) or makai (toward the ocean), or to go in the Diamond Head (East) or Ewa (West) direction.
Landmarks are often driving markers instead of names of streets. Pay close attention to stores and intersections around you, as you may be told to turn right at the Walmart or to turn at the Anna Miller's near Pearlridge Center.
Familiarize yourself with the names of the exit streets on freeway markers rather than the number of the exit. Most people do not know what number exit they live off of.
Merging on freeway on-ramps can be dangerous in Hawaii. Many Honolulu on-ramps are located very near the next off-ramp, so be careful when merging in and out of freeway lanes near the exits.
Please drive with the "aloha spirit." Be courteous of fellow drivers and always drive defensively.
"Shaka" is considered a courtesy sign when merging in traffic.

Motorcycle Safety
Under Hawaii DMV guidelines, motorcycle operators in Hawaii must have a Class 2 motorcycle license or motorcycle instruction permit.

For information including driver's license office telephone numbers and addresses, how to obtain a license, temporary permits, required skills for passing the motorcycle driver performance test, a guide to motorcycle/scooter insurance laws, insurance Q & A, motorcycle safety education program application, clothing and gear for riding, and motorcycle operating tips, see the Hawaii Department of Transportation—Motorcycle Operator Manual (.pdf) at: http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/highways/hwy-v/mom-1.pdf.

Applicants must be at least 15 and a half years of age, pass the motorcycle knowledge test, a sign test and a vision screening. The final step is to pass the motorcycle skills test where you will demonstrate your competency in motorcycle operation.

The State of Hawaii will waive your skills test and issue you a license if you have a motorcycle skills test certification for waiver issued by the Hawaii Motorcycle Safety Education Program or a valid motorcycle license or endorsement from a state that uses the motorcycle operator skill test. These two day courses include classroom instruction and driver training in a controlled, off-street environment. When you successfully complete this course, you will be eligible for a Hawaii motorcycle driver's license without having to take the state's road test.

In addition to State of Hawaii laws, military bases also have requirements for motorcycle and moped operators and riders. The requirements differ slightly between services.

All services require every operator of a motorcycle to complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course or other training approved by their service's Safety Center. This training applies to riders whether or not they ride on or off base or on or off duty.

(Source: http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/toolbox/traffic/motorcycles/default.htm , http://www.crc.army.mil/DrivingPOV/motorcycleinformation)

Safety Course
To attend a motorcycle safety course at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) call (808) 257-1830. Call (808) 474-3447 ext. 233 to attend at Ford Island. Call (808) 655-6455 to attend at Wheeler Army Air Field.

Motorcycle and Moped requirements (for all riders entering military installations):

Helmet
Must be Department of Transportation approved and fastened properly under the chin.

Eye Protection
Eyes must be protected by shatter resistant goggles or a full face shield attached to the helmet. A windshield, eyeglasses or fairing alone is not considered proper eye protection.

Shoes
Must wear closed toe, over the ankle shoes with hard soles. Sandals, slippers, tennis shoes and other similar footwear is not authorized.

Reflective Vest
During daylight hours riders must wear brightly colored outer upper garment or high visibility reflective vest. During the hours of darkness riders must wear a high visibility reflective vest of international orange, lime green or bright yellow with reflective striping. Do not cover or conceal the vest while riding a motorcycle or moped. Military personnel may wear the vest over the uniform of the day. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam requires a vest both day and night.

Attire
Must wear long trousers, long sleeve shirt or jacket and full-fingered gloves. Riding apparel designed specifically for motorcycle riders is strongly encouraged.