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DRIVER’S LICENSE AND MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION STOPPER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is a driver’s license or motor vehicle registration “stopper”?
A license stopper prevents a motorist from acquiring a new driver’s license or renewing
the license until there is a satisfactory resolution of the traffic citation. Prior to the enactment of
Act 59 (2020), which became effective November 1, 2020, the Court was required to place a
“stopper” on an individual’s driver’s license record whenever the individual failed to pay the total
amount ordered by the court for a civil moving or equipment traffic infraction within thirty (30)
days. This license stopper would prevent the motorist from acquiring or renewing a driver’s
license. A similar registration “stopper” would be imposed if a registered owner of a vehicle was
issued a citation and failed to pay the monetary assessment. The registration stopper would prevent
the owner from obtaining or renewing the annual car registration or from transferring ownership
of title of the vehicle until all citations issued on the vehicle have been satisfactorily resolved.
Please visit the following website for more information about judgments and payments
on outstanding traffic citations: https://www.courts.state.hi.us/self-
help/traffic/resolving_cases_submitted_to_the_collection_agency#15
2. Where do I obtain a traffic abstract showing all my citations?
Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) § 287-3, a certified traffic abstract shows
“all alleged moving violations and any convictions resulting therefrom, arising from the operation
of a motor vehicle and any administrative license revocation.” NOTE: Parking and equipment
violations do not appear on the traffic abstract.
Traffic abstracts may be requested in one of two ways:
By Mail: Include a self-addressed stamped envelope, along with a money order or
cashier’s check for $20 (payable to District Court), and the individual’s full name, date
of birth, and driver’s license number (include both current and previous vehicles
registered).
In Person at:
OAHU – First Circuit
Traffic Violations Bureau – First Circuit
Kauikeaouli Hale
1111 Alakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-538-5500
District Court, Ewa Division
870 Fourth Street
Pearl City, HI 96782
(808) 534-6900
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District Court, Kaneohe Division
45-939 Pookela Street
Kaneohe, HI 96744
(808) 534-6300
District Court, Waianae Division (Kapolei Court Complex)
4076 Kapolei Parkway
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 954-8575
District Court, Wahiawa Division
1034 Kilani Avenue
Wahiawa, HI 96786
(808) 534-6200
MAUI – Second Circuit
Traffic Violations Bureau – Second Circuit
Hoapili Hale
2145 Main Street
Wailuku, HI 96793-1679
808-244-2800
Lahaina District Court
1870 Honoapiilani Hwy.
Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761
808-661-0970
Hana District Court
4974 Uakea Road
Hana, Hawaii, 96713
808-661-0970
Lanai District Court
312 Eighth Street, Lanai City, Lanai, HI 96763
(Mailing: 1870 Honoapiilani Hwy, Lahaina, HI 96761)
808-565-6447
Molokai District Court
(P.O. Box 284), 55 Makaena Street
Kaunakakai, Molokai, HI 96748
808-553-1100
HAWAII – Third Circuit
Traffic Violations Bureau – Third Circuit
777 Kilauea Street
Hilo, HI 96720-4212
808-961-7470
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Keahuolu Courthouse – Kona
74-5451 Kamakaeha Avenue
Kona, Hawaii 96740
808-322-8700
South Kohala District Court
Waimea Civic Center
67-5187 Kamamalu Street
Kamuela, HI 96743
808-443-2030
KAUAI – Fifth Circuit
Traffic Violations Bureau – Fifth Circuit
3970 Kaana Street
Room A-105, Windows 5, 6 and 7
Lihue, HI 96766
808-482-2355
Each traffic abstract costs $20 Cash/Money Order/Cashier’s Check ONLY.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Hawaii State Judiciary’s website at
https://www.courts.state.hi.us/self-help/traffic/traffic_abstracts
3. Where should I file my motion for the removal of my driver’s license and/or motor
vehicle registration stopper?
You should file your petition at a district court in the county where the citation was issued.
This can be done via mail or in-person. A list of district courts is included under Question #2.
If you would like the court to mail its signed order back to you, if your motion is granted,
then include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your submission.
4. What does HRS § 291D-12 mean?
HRS § 291D-12 is titled ‘Powers of the district court judge sitting in the traffic division.’
As of November 1, 2020, pursuant to Act 59 (2020), this statute allows district court judges to
remove driver’s license stoppers and/or motor vehicle registration stoppers for eligible court
judgments. To read the full text of the statute, please visit the following website:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291D/HRS_0291D-
0012.htm
5. Does HRS § 291D-12 apply to me?
Beginning November 1, 2020, qualified individuals may petition the Court to lift any
“stoppers” and/or any restrictions that prevent you from obtaining or renewing a driver’s license
and motor vehicle registration solely due to failure to pay monetary assessments imposed under
H.R.S. § 291D. However, lifting any stopper(s) and/or restrictions does NOT discharge
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outstanding fine/monetary assessments owed, community service work hours due, and/or jail
sentences. This statute shall not have any effect on driver’s license suspensions related to
excessive speeding, lack of motor vehicle insurance, or noncompliance with a child support order.
Please consult an attorney and/or legal service provider in your community to better
understand how HRS § 291D-12 may allow qualified individuals to remove driver license stoppers
and other restrictions from eligible court judgments.
6. What if I have a combination of tickets that have stoppers that cannot be removed
pursuant to HRS § 291D-12?
District Court judges may only consider removing driver license stoppers from eligible
court judgments resulting from traffic citations. Please consult an attorney and/or legal service
provider in your community to better understand how HRS § 291D-12 may allow qualified
individuals to remove driver license stoppers and other restrictions from eligible court judgments.
7. Is there a form I can use to request the court to remove the license stopper(s)?
Beginning November 1, 2020, qualified individuals may request the Court to remove driver
license stopper(s) from eligible court judgments. If you check off these considerations, you may
be eligible to use the following form motion.
I will obtain a certified traffic abstract within thirty (30) days of filing this motion;
I will file the motion in the county where the citation was issued.
I will file a separate motion for each Case ID/Citation Number that issued.
This citation is NOT for a traffic crime; and
I do NOT have any outstanding driver’s education requirements.
8. Is there a filing fee?
No.
9. Is the driver’s license stopper removal program available statewide?
Yes.
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______________________________
DEFENDANT’S NAME
______________________________
ADDRESS
______________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
______________________________
TELEPHONE NO.
DEFENDANT PRO SE
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE __________ CIRCUIT
STATE OF HAWAI‘I
STATE OF HAWAI‘I,
Plaintiff,
vs.
____________________________ ,
Defendant.
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Case ID/Citation No.:
___________________________________
DEFENDANT’S EX PARTE MOTION
FOR THE REMOVAL OF DRIVER’S
LICENSE AND/OR MOTOR VEHICLE
REGISTRATION STOPPER AND
ISSUANCE OF A CLEARANCE
LETTER; EXHIBIT “A”; AND ORDER
DEFENDANT’S EX PARTE MOTION FOR THE REMOVAL OF DRIVER’S LICENSE
AND/OR MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION STOPPER AND ISSUANCE OF A
CLEARANCE LETTER
Defendant, ___________________, moves Ex Parte for an order for the removal of
Driver’s License and/or Motor Vehicle Registration Stopper (“Motion”) and issuance of a
clearance letter. I have obtained a certified copy of my traffic abstract dated within thirty (30)
days of the filing of this Motion, a copy of which is attached hereto as “Exhibit A.” Pursuant to
Exhibit A, page ___, in the above captioned case I have an unpaid civil fine and/or monetary
assessment of $__________________, ordered in the judgment entered on
_____________________.
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Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (“H.R.S.”) § 291D-12(8), Defendant requests the
presiding Judge to lift any “stoppers” and/or any restrictions which prevent Defendant from
obtaining or renewing a driver’s license and motor vehicle registration solely due to failure to pay
the aforementioned monetary payment imposed under H.R.S. § 291D. I understand that the lifting
of any stopper(s) and/or restrictions does not discharge any outstanding fine/monetary
assessments, community service work, and/or jail sentences. I also understand that the lifting of
any stopper(s) and/or restrictions has no effect on driver’s license suspensions related to excessive
speeding, lack of motor vehicle insurance, or noncompliance with a child support order.
Should the Court grant this Motion, the following applies:
Defendant will pick up the order in-person at the same district court location as
where this Motion was filed.
Defendant has provided a self-addressed stamped envelope in addition to the
Motion, and respectfully requests the Court send one (1) copy of the signed
order to the address listed below:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Dated:____________, Hawai‘i,________________________.
Signature of Defendant
DEFENDANT PRO SE
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EXHIBIT “A”
CERTIFIED COPY OF TRAFFIC ABSTRACT
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IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE __________ CIRCUIT
STATE OF HAWAI‘I
STATE OF HAWAI‘I,
Plaintiff,
vs.
____________________________ ,
Defendant.
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Case ID/Citation No.:
___________________________________
ORDER RE: DEFENDANT’S EX PARTE
MOTION FOR THE REMOVAL OF
DRIVER’S LICENSE AND/OR MOTOR
VEHICLE REGISTRATION STOPPER
AND ISSUANCE OF A CLEARANCE
LETTER
ORDER
The Court, upon review of Defendant’s Ex Parte Motion for the Removal of Driver’s License
and/or Motor Vehicle Registration Stopper and Issuance of a Clearance Letter, HEREBY:
[ ] DENIES this Ex Parte Motion; for the reason(s) stated below:
This is a traffic crime;
Outstanding driver’s education;
Other: _________________________________________________________.
[ ] GRANTS this Ex Parte Motion for the:
Removal of the Driver’s License and/or Motor Vehicle Registration Stopper in
the above referenced case.
Issuance of a Clearance Letter for above referenced case.
[ ] FURTHER ORDERS: __________________________________________________.
Dated:________, Hawai‘i, _________________________.
_______________________________________
Judge of the Above-Entitled Court
