Getting your Hawaii driver’s license suspended can be the result of driving without insurance, a DUI, being unfit to safely drive, or failing to pay child support. If you’re caught driving with a suspended license, you could face up to 30 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. And if you’re under 18, you’ll lose all driving privileges until you turn 18.
Most of us take driving for granted—we pass our license tests, and we’re ready to hit the open road. But you may not think twice about what offenses can cause you to get your license suspended or revoked—and it’s easier than you think. License violations differ between states, and it’s important to get familiar with what actions can result in license suspension before you get behind the wheel.
Luckily, car insurance
comparison and broker app Jerry
is laying out everything you need to know about license suspensions in Hawaii and what violations can take away your driving privileges. We’ll cover the difference between a license suspension and revocation, as well as the top ways to get your license suspended in the Aloha State. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?
When a driver commits a legal offense or a traffic violation, they can be subject to a license suspension or revocation for a specific period of time. This means that their driver’s license is no longer valid, and it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle until driving privileges are reinstated. However, “suspension” and “revocation” are often used synonymously, but they’re not quite the same.
A license suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges for a specific period of time that is reinstated after a fee is paid
A license revocation happens due to more serious offenses and can result in permanent removal of driving privileges, although some states may reinstate if certain criteria are met
In Hawaii, your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked for several reasons, including failing to make child support payments, driving under the influence, or excessive speeding.
What can your license be suspended for in Hawaii?
Hawaii may not use a points system for driving infractions, but the DMV will suspend your license for specific vehicle-related and non-vehicle-related violations.
1. If you speed excessively
It may be tempting to speed down the ocean-side highways, but if you’re caught driving too fast, you could face some hefty penalties. Hawaii’s law states that any driver going 30 mph over the speed limit or 80 mph or more irrespective of the posted speed limit is subject to:
30-day license suspension
Attendance of a driver retraining course
36 hours of community service or 48 hours to five days imprisonment
2. If you’re driving without a license
If you’re caught driving and have never been issued a driver’s license or are driving with an expired license, you may face 30 days imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine. If you’re under 18, you’ll lose all driving privileges until you turn 18.
3. If you are driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is illegal in all states, but if you’re cited with a DUI in Hawaii
you’ll face serious consequences. First offenders with no DUI convictions will be subject to a mandatory one-year license suspension, a 14-hour rehab program, and one or more of the following: 72 hours of community service
48 hours to five days of jail time
A second DUI results in a 2- to 3-year license revocation, a $1,000 to $3,000 fine, and 5 to 20 days imprisonment or up to 240 hours of community service. Any subsequent convictions will result in more serious penalties.
Drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from having any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood, and an underage DUI comes with steep penalties. A first offense results in 10 hours of substance abuse counseling, a 180-day license revocation, a $150 to $500 fine, and up to 36 hours of community service.
4. If you refuse a BAC test
All drivers are subject to implied consent, meaning that if they’re pulled over and asked to do a breath, blood, or urine test, they must comply. Failure to do so can result in an immediate seizure of the driver's license and a two-year revocation period.
5. If you’re driving with a suspended or revoked license
Any individual that’s caught operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license is subject to the same penalties as driving without a license—30 days imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine. If you’re under 18, you’ll lose all driving privileges until you turn 18.
However, if your license is suspended for failing to pay child support or for a DUI, the penalties are different.
6. If you fail to make child support payments
Not paying your child support may not seem like a reason to suspend a license, but in Hawaii, not making your payments can result in 3 to 30 days imprisonment and a $250 to $1,000 fine. A second offense within a 5-year period will result in 30 days imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
For all offenders, a license suspension will remain in effect until the family court issues authorization that the accused is compliant.
7. If you’re involved in specific driving-related accidents
Your driver’s license can also be suspended if you’re cited for reckless driving, if you’re found guilty of an at-fault and fatal accident, or if you leave your vehicle unattended on a highway. On top of those violations, street racing and fleeing from the scene of an accident can also result in a license suspension.
8. If you’re deemed physically or psychologically unfit to drive
It’s important that you’re physically and mentally fit to drive before getting behind the wheel of a car. Your county’s DMV can issue a re-examination of any individual they suspect may not be fit to drive. Until the DMV deems them fit to drive, their driving privileges may be suspended.
9. If you fail to appear in court or pay your driving citations
Any Hawaii driver may have a “stopper” on his or her driving record, which means they cannot obtain or renew a driver’s license.
According to Hawaii law, a “stopper” is placed on the license when a driver fails to pay the fines ordered by the court for a traffic violation within 30 days. A stopper can also be imposed if the driver fails to respond to a traffic citation, fails to appear in court after an arrest, fails to comply with a court order, or fails to appear in court for a traffic infraction.
The DMV will be notified, and your license will be suspended after 60 days.
10. If you’re driving without valid Hawaii insurance
In order to maintain safe roads for motorists and pedestrians, all Hawaii drivers are required to comply with Hawaii’s car insurance laws
—that is, carry minimum liability coverage
. If you’re caught driving without proper insurance, you could face penalties that include:
75 to 100 hours of community service
Three-month license suspension
Maintain an SR-22
for three years
On top of that, your insurance premiums will likely increase.
How to save money on car insurance in Hawaii
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