If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title.
Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in Hawaii until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured.
This page will cover the salvage title process in Hawaii, and provide you with tips on how to get a salvage vehicle back on the road.
For official information or questions about your specific situation, please contact your local Hawaii DMV office or visit the official DMV website:
- Hawaii: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/vehicle-registration-licensing
- Honolulu: http://www.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle.html
- Kauai: https://www.kauai.gov/DMV
- Maui: https://www.mauicounty.gov/1328/Motor-Vehicle-Licensing
What is a Salvage Title in Hawaii?
Like many other states, a salvage title in Hawaii means that the vehicle has been reported to the DMV to be a total loss, wrecked, or damaged to the point where it is no longer roadworthy.
Hawaii salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected.
How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in Hawaii
In order to get your title back after your vehicle has been declared salvage or total loss, you’ll first need to find a licensed repair salvage dealer (RDS) to complete the repairs for you.
Hawaii residents cannot complete the necessary repairs themselves.
After the necessary repairs have been made, you’ll need to submit the following to your local county DMV office:
- Salvage title certificate and insurance documentation.
- Documentation and receipts for all repairs. The RDS can help you with this.
- A completed inspection report.
- Payment for your rebuilt title.
Register a Salvage Title Car in Hawaii
Once the rebuilt title has been issued, you’ll be able to register and insure your car again.
To do so, visit your local DMV office in your county with the following:
- Proof of ownership with the rebuilt certificate of title.
- Registration application.
- Proof of car insurance.
- Payment for your registration fees and taxes.
Related Pages:
- What is a Salvage Title?
- What is a Rebuilt Title?
- Salvage Title Insurance
- Buying a Car with a Salvage Title
Next Steps
If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in Hawaii, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road.
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