Vehicle Registration - Oahu (insurance, transfer, DMV)

[Kalidog]

Has anyone shipped their car from the mainland to Oahu and recently registered their vehicle? I'm trying to get an estimate of what it cost to transfer the license plates. From what I've read, the cost is based off of the weight and usuage of the vehicle I've tried using the HI DMV website calculator but with no luck. I will be shipping a Chevy truck and Subaru wagon.

[flowermom]

Hi there,

We shipped two cars from the mainland and re-registered them here. Both our cars are four door sedans and the cost to register was around $125 I think. My husband handled it, so I don't remember the exact amount, but it was not as much as I thought it would be.

One thing to know, you have to get a vehicle inspection (only about $15 and done a most gas stations) before you can re-register. Then you have to go directly to the DMV to do it, pay the fee, show your shipping manifest/paperwork, your inspection certificate, proof of insurance, etc. Also, if I remember correctly you only have 30 days to re-register or you incur a penalty.

Hope some of this helped!

[Kalidog]

Originally Posted by flowermom

Hi there,

We shipped two cars from the mainland and re-registered them here. Both our cars are four door sedans and the cost to register was around $125 I think. My husband handled it, so I don't remember the exact amount, but it was not as much as I thought it would be.

One thing to know, you have to get a vehicle inspection (only about $15 and done a most gas stations) before you can re-register. Then you have to go directly to the DMV to do it, pay the fee, show your shipping manifest/paperwork, your inspection certificate, proof of insurance, etc. Also, if I remember correctly you only have 30 days to re-register or you incur a penalty.

Hope some of this helped!

Flowermom:

Your info does help me. I will be going into negotiations soon with my employer and I need all the ammo I can get to obtain the best relocation package available.

Can I ask what shipping company you used for your vehicles and household goods?

[flowermom]

Hi again,

We were a corporate relocation and my husband's company chose the people to handle our move. It was called Pacific Transfer and they did an excellent job co-ordinating everything. We moved the two cars plus a household of furniture and everything got here safe, sound, on time, etc. Pacific Transfer made all the arrangments regarding what ships everything came over on.

I do recommend that whoever you use make sure they ship your cars in an enclosed container. Some companies will leave them out on deck and they can get rust damage. Matson and Horizon are two of the big shipping companies - but if you work with someone like Pacific Transfer you don't deal with them directly, they handle it for you. Total tab for our move was close to $15,000 - luckily paid for by my husband's company as part of the relocation.

Best of luck with your move!