Hawaii Vehicle Bill of Sale

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Hawaii?

A bill of sale is recommended for all private vehicle sales in Hawaii and is required in certain circumstances. In Honolulu County, a notarized bill of sale is required if the seller's name does not appear on the vehicle's title. The bill of sale serves as a record of the transaction and supports the title transfer at the county DMV. Hawaii's vehicle registration is county-based, so specific requirements can vary slightly between Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties.

Does a Hawaii bill of sale need to be notarized?

The bill of sale itself generally does not require notarization for a standard private-party sale where the seller is listed on the title. However, notarization is recommended and may be required depending on the county. Hawaii County's official bill of sale form includes a notary validation block. It is recommended that the seller sign the title assignment in front of a notary public or accompany the buyer to the county DMV to complete the transfer in person, as county offices verify signatures against identification.

How long do I have to register a vehicle after purchase in Hawaii?

The buyer must submit the properly endorsed certificate of title, the current certificate of registration, and the safety inspection certificate to the county motor vehicle registration office within 30 days of the transfer. A transfer fee of $5.00 applies. If the registration has expired or will expire within 45 days, the cost of renewal will be calculated and collected at the same time. Registration is processed by the county, not a centralized state DMV.

How much is the sales tax on a vehicle purchase in Hawaii?

Hawaii does not impose a traditional sales tax on private vehicle sales. Instead, the state levies a 4% General Excise Tax (GET) on dealer sales and a use tax on vehicles purchased from unlicensed sellers or imported for personal use. The use tax is based on the "landed value" of the vehicle, which includes the purchase price plus shipping, insurance, and customs duties for imported vehicles. For standard in-state private sales, the purchase price determines the tax base.

Is an odometer disclosure required in Hawaii?

Yes. Federal law requires odometer disclosure for vehicles less than 20 model years old. In Hawaii, the odometer reading is recorded on the front of the certificate of title in Section A by the seller. Both the buyer and seller should verify the reading at the time of transfer. Vehicles that are 20 model years old or older, or that weigh more than 16,000 pounds, are exempt from the federal odometer disclosure requirement.

Does Hawaii require a safety inspection for vehicle sales?

Yes. Hawaii requires a valid safety inspection certificate for all registered vehicles. The inspection must be current at the time of registration transfer. Safety inspections are performed at authorized inspection stations throughout each county and cover brakes, tires, lights, steering, exhaust, windshield, and other safety components. The seller should ensure the inspection certificate is current before the sale to avoid delays in the buyer's registration.

How does the county-based system work for vehicle transfers in Hawaii?

Hawaii's vehicle registration and title transfers are handled at the county level, not by a centralized state DMV. Each county — Honolulu (City and County), Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), and Kauai — operates its own motor vehicle registration office with slightly different procedures and forms. The seller must complete the assignment section of the title, provide the current registration certificate and safety inspection certificate, and the buyer takes these documents to the county office where the vehicle will be registered.

What if the vehicle has multiple owners?

If the vehicle is titled to more than one person, all owners on the title must sign the bill of sale. Use the "Add a co-seller" option on the form to add the second seller's name and address. Both sellers' names and signature lines will appear on the document. For electronic signing, each co-owner can sign on the same device in sequence, or the document can be passed from one device to another via QR code or shared link. Both buyers can likewise be named on the bill of sale using the "Add a co-buyer" option.