Car ownership costs in Hawaii
What it costs to own a car in Hawaii beyond the sticker price — sales tax, annual registration, vehicle property tax, inspection requirements, and title fee.
Estimated — not yet source-verified.Estimated — not yet source-verified. This figure is a knowledge estimate we have not yet confirmed against the official source, so this page is not indexed. Treat it as a rough guide only and verify with your state DMV or department of revenue.
- Vehicle sales tax
- 0.04%
- Hawaii charges a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% plus county surcharge (~0.5%) on vehicle sales.
- Annual registration fee
- ~$45/yr
- Annual registration ~$45; varies by county.
- Vehicle property tax
- No vehicle property tax
- No separate annual personal property tax on vehicles.
- State inspection
- Required
- Annual safety inspection required. Cost approximately $20–$35.
- Title fee
- ~$5
- One-time fee at purchase. Amount may vary.
- Example: $35,000 vehicle
- Sales tax: $14
- + $45/yr registration + no property tax
How state fees affect your car's true cost in Hawaii
When you buy a vehicle in Hawaii, the first state cost you'll face is the sales tax of 0.04%. On a $35,000 vehicle, that's roughly $14 due at the time of purchase — in addition to the dealer's price.
After the purchase, Hawaii charges an estimated $45 per year to register the vehicle. Annual registration ~$45; varies by county.
Hawaii does not impose a personal property tax on vehicles — which is a meaningful advantage over states that do, where owners can pay 0.5%–2% of the vehicle's value annually.
Hawaii requires periodic vehicle inspections. Annual safety inspection required. Cost approximately $20–$35. Inspection fees are typically $20–$70 depending on the station and vehicle type.
Calculate your full 5-year ownership cost in Hawaii
The TCO calculator pre-fills Hawaii's sales tax and registration fee. Add your purchase price, loan terms, fuel type, and insurance to see the complete picture.
Open TCO calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the car sales tax in Hawaii?
The vehicle sales tax rate in Hawaii is 0.04%. On a $35,000 vehicle that works out to roughly $14 at the time of purchase. Hawaii charges a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% plus county surcharge (~0.5%) on vehicle sales.
How much is vehicle registration in Hawaii?
The estimated annual vehicle registration fee in Hawaii is around $45 per year. Annual registration ~$45; varies by county.
Does Hawaii have a vehicle property tax?
No. Hawaii does not impose an annual personal property tax on vehicles. No separate annual personal property tax on vehicles.
Is a vehicle inspection required in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii requires periodic vehicle safety (and in some areas emissions) inspections. Annual safety inspection required. Cost approximately $20–$35.
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