(BIVN) – The County of Hawaiʻi is providing a detailed update on vehicle registration and licensing services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.

On Friday, the County of Hawaiʻi issued this media release:

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Finance wants to remind our customers that the Division of Vehicle Registration & Licensing (VRL) offices are open for limited in-person services, and the best way to save time is by using the on-line appointment scheduler.

All VRL offices, with the exception of the Nā‘ālehu and Waimea offices, will be open for limited services from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Nā‘ālehu office will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment only, and the Waimea office remains closed until further notice.

Operations will be modified to ensure the safety of both customers and employees. Face coverings must be worn, and customers must adhere to the recommended 6-foot social distancing. Only those customers receiving services will be allowed inside the lobby, and minors or those needing additional assistance may have one additional person accompany them, if needed.

Appointments for both vehicle registration and driver’s license transactions may now be scheduled online; walk-ins are welcome but will be subject to daily limits based on the availability of staffing and the estimated transaction processing time.

With higher demand upon the initial reopening, the Vehicle Registration & Licensing offices will be limiting transactions to the following:

Driver’s License Transactions

• Renewals of driver’s licenses and State IDs that are either expired or will be expiring in the months of March, April, May, June, or July 2020.
• Initial driver’s licenses (out-of-state transfers), permits (written tests) and state identification.
• Replacement of lost driver’s license, permit or state identification.

Motor Vehicle Transactions

• Ownership transfers
• Initial registrations
• Duplicate titles and registrations
• Replacement license plates and emblems

Due to ongoing health concerns, no road tests are being scheduled at this time. Additionally, no appointments for vehicle registration renewals will be offered so that we may concentrate on those vehicles that need to be registered and are currently operating without a valid registration or license plates. Vehicle Registration Renewals may be completed through mail-in, online, drop box, or automated kiosk alternatives.

Auto dealers and fleet registrations will only be able to use the drop-off and pick-up services. Customers with driver’s licenses that aren’t expiring within the next 30 days may use the online appointment scheduler to book appointments; however, please don’tmake appointments for future dates that are less than a month before your current driver’s license will expire.

We recognize that getting a “Gold Star” compliant driver’s license or state ID is important to many of you; however, please be aware that Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline until October 1, 2021.

Vehicle Registration Renewals

(1) Mail in renewals can be sent to County of Hawai‘i, Motor Vehicle Registration, 101 Pauahi St., #5, Hilo, HI 96720.

(2) Online applications can be found on our county website.

(3) Kiosks are located at the Safeway stores in Hilo and Kona as well as the Foodland store in Waimea, and at the Aupuni Center in Hilo adjacent to the County’s Planning Department.

(4) In-wall drop off slot at the Hilo MVR office. (Please do not drop off or mail in renewal applications with “cash”).

Safety Inspections

• Safety inspection certificates/stickers that expired prior to May 31, 2020 will remain valid through August 31, 2020.J This will allow you to renew your vehicle using any of the 4 listed methods above. Your vehicle must still be properly registered with the County Motor Vehicle Registration office to legally operate on public roadways
• Safety check certificates/stickers that expire on or after June 30, 2020 will be granted a 3-month extension. For example, if your safety check certificate/sticker expires at the end of September 2020, you will have an additional 3-months (or until December 31, 2020) to get a new safety check inspection performed on your vehicle. Upon passing the vehicle inspection, you will be issued a certificate of inspection and sticker that will be valid for 12 months from the date the vehicle is inspected.

Driver’s License or State ID’s renewals (issued after May 1, 2014)

Mail in renewal applications to 349 Kapi‘olani St., Hilo, HI 96720. Duplicate license requests for lost licenses will also be accepted by mail. Please see our website [] for application details and forms.

“We appreciate your patience and look forward to expanded services in the hopefully, not too distant future,” the County said.