Beautiful sea vistas, enchanting botanicals, incredible sunsets–Hawaii beckons with its promise of paradise; the condition of its roads, however, leaves much to be desired in many places! Road conditions can, not surprisingly, lead to fender benders and even more serious crashes.
Moreover, it can be hard to stop in time when you’re driving along and watching the waves when you should be watching the road! For these reasons and more, drivers in Hawaii can rack up violations on their driving records. It’s important to keep tabs on your Hawaii driving record for a variety of reasons.
Why You Need to Monitor Your Hawaii Driving Record
Even in paradise, identity theft happens. Monitoring your driving record allows you to make sure your identity has not been stolen or compromised. Of course, it’s also a good idea to check over your Hawaii driving record on a regular basis to make sure that there are no mistaken convictions posted to the record. Errors may not be frequent, but they do occur. One mistaken entry can wreak havoc with your insurance rates. In some cases, one’s driving record can even affect a job search. By keeping tabs on your record, you can ensure its accuracy and also make sure your insurance rates are where they need to be.
Hawaii Driving Records
In Hawaii, drivers can access three types of driving records: driver history records, certified traffic abstracts, and traffic court report. You may need to provide anyone or, possibly, all of these records for your employer or because you are ordered to by the courts. Driving history records contain comprehensive information that includes the driver’s name, address, date of birth, driver’s license status (active or suspended), violations, accidents, any failures to appear in court, and any past license suspensions or revocations.
Traffic abstracts are less detailed than driver history records; however, they do provide a snapshot of your driving history that includes information such as alleged moving violations, moving violations that are convictions, and license revocations. Typically, insurance providers and employers prefer to access traffic abstracts to glean essential information about a driver in question.
Sometimes called comprehensive or complete abstracts, traffic court reports post all the information contained on the traffic abstract; however, these reports also include parking citations.
Ordering Your Hawaii Driving History Record
In Hawaii, drivers can only obtain an official copy their driving records by appearing in person or through the mail. Required forms, however, can be obtained online here.
To obtain your Hawaii driving record in person, you can go to any Hawaii district court. You can bring in a copy of form 2067 or obtain it when you visit. You will need to present identification such as your license, state ID, or even your passport. Once you fill out the form, you will be charged a $9 fee.
To obtain your Hawaii driving record by mail, you will have to complete form 2067 and have it notarized before mailing. Include a legal-sized self-addressed envelope along with the form and your money order or cashier’s check for the $9 fee. You can mail this form to any Hawaii district court. Typically, records are mailed back within ten days.
Ordering Other Hawaii Driving Records
Ordering a traffic abstract is similar to the above; however, you will be charged a fee of $20. When ordering a court abstract, you will be charged $1. for the first page and $.50 for each subsequent page. When ordering a court abstract, you must appear in person; this type of record cannot be obtained through the mail. Also, drivers may only order their own court abstract; you will not be able to obtain this abstract; however, you can obtain a traffic abstract for another driver for the stated fees.
Check Your Record for Errors
When you receive your records, be sure to peruse them carefully. Ascertain that all items on your record are valid. If you spot a conviction that you were not actually convicted for, be sure to contact the district court so you can have this information corrected. A conviction for speeding, for example, can cost you dearly in insurance premiums. You can contact the district court via email or phone if you do not wish to visit in person. The sooner you correct errors, the better. You may also want to get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as the correction is made so they can make any necessary adjustments to your rates.
Even if you are not required by your insurance carrier or your employer to obtain your driving record, you should consider accessing it periodically in order to make sure the information is accurate. While it’s inconvenient that you can’t use the internet to obtain this information, it is helpful that you can visit any district court in Hawaii to access your records. If you have any further questions about Hawaii driving records, be sure to contact one of the district courts.
Does Hawaii Have a Point System?
No, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has already scrapped its cumulative traffic point system. Now, instead of having to appear in court, traffic offenders are penalized by monetary fines and mandatory completion of community service.
However, despite not having a point system anymore, it does not mean that your violations will no longer appear on your driving record if you commit a civil traffic infraction. All of your traffic tickets issued in Hawaii will still be recorded except for parking tickets. And yes, major offenses can still result in your Hawaii driver’s license’s immediate suspension, revocation, or cancellation.
Fighting a Traffic Ticket in Court
If you want to fight a traffic ticket in Hawaii, may it be for speeding or for another type of infraction, you will either deny the charge altogether or be required to admit that you are at fault. For the latter, you need to provide a justification or any mitigating circumstances that resulted in the violation.
This may seem like an ordinary guilty or not guilty plea, but defending your case at court will still require preparation and strict observance or court schedules. Being informed on the laws, rules, and regulations surrounding your charge is a must in order to raise your defense convincingly – that’s why most drivers enlist the help of a traffic lawyer when fighting a ticket at court. Yes, it’s great to have a lawyer, but you should still educate yourself and work with your lawyer. A simple Google search or visiting the Hawaii DOT website should give you all the information you need. You just practically need to read and understand how it works.