Selling or buying a vehicle in Hawaii? Title transfers are handled at the county level — and requirements vary slightly by county. The seller must file a Notice of Transfer within 10 days of the sale.
This free template is formatted for Hawaii’s requirements and works alongside the Certificate of Title at your county’s motor vehicle registration office.
Click Get This Template below to open it in Google Docs, then click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive.
For templates for all 50 states, visit the Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Templates →
On this page:
- What Is a Hawaii Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
- Is a Bill of Sale Required in Hawaii?
- Hawaii-Specific Requirements
- Free Hawaii Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
- How to Fill Out the Template
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Hawaii
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Hawaii Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale?
A Hawaii motor vehicle bill of sale is a written record of a private vehicle sale.
In Hawaii, the bill of sale works alongside the Certificate of Title to complete a title transfer and registration at the county motor vehicle registration office. Hawaii has four counties — Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui, and Kauai — each with their own registration office and slightly different requirements.
Is a Bill of Sale Required in Hawaii?
A bill of sale is required alongside the title for most Hawaii vehicle registration transfers.
In Honolulu County, a notarized bill of sale (Form CS-L(MVR)40) is required when the vehicle being sold is not titled in the seller’s name. For standard transfers where the seller’s name is on the title, the bill of sale is strongly recommended but not always mandatory.
Having a signed bill of sale protects both parties and documents the purchase price for use tax purposes.
Hawaii-Specific Requirements
1. 30-Day Registration Deadline
The buyer has 30 days to visit the county registration office and complete the title transfer and registration.
Late fees vary by county: Hawaii County charges $50; Maui County charges $50. Contact your county for specific late penalties.
2. Seller: File Notice of Transfer Within 10 Days
The seller must complete a Notice of Transfer form and mail it within 10 days of the sale to the county motor vehicle registration office where the vehicle was last registered.
Filing the Notice of Transfer removes the seller’s liability for violations, accidents, and other incidents involving the vehicle after the sale date.
3. County-Based Registration
Hawaii title transfers are handled at the county motor vehicle registration office — not a state DMV. Requirements may vary slightly by county:
- Honolulu County: Check the Honolulu Motor Vehicle Fee Inquiry Site for fees
- Hawaii County: $5 transfer fee; $50 late fee after 30 days
- Maui County: $20 transfer fee; $50 late fee after 30 days
- Kauai County: Call (808) 241-4256 for current fees
4. Safety Inspection Required
A current Hawaii safety inspection certificate must be submitted with the title transfer application. Ensure the vehicle has a valid safety inspection before completing the sale.
5. Use Tax
Hawaii charges a 4% use tax on the purchase price of a privately sold vehicle. Tax is paid at the county registration office at the time of transfer. Family member transfers (spouse, parent, child) are exempt — complete Form G-27 (Motor Vehicle Use Tax Certification) for the exemption.
6. Odometer Disclosure
The seller must fill in the odometer reading in Section A on the front of the title. Federal law requires this for vehicles under 20 years old.
7. Notarization
In Honolulu County, a notarized bill of sale is required when the vehicle is not titled in the seller’s name. In all other situations, notarization is optional but recommended for high-value sales.
Free Hawaii Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template
This template opens in Google Docs. Click Use Template to save a copy to your Drive, fill it out digitally, or print and complete by hand.
How to Fill Out the Template
Enter the seller’s name exactly as it appears on the Certificate of Title. Enter the buyer’s name exactly as they want it on the new registration and title.
In Section 3, copy the VIN character by character from the dashboard plate and the title. Enter the full agreed purchase price in Section 4 — Hawaii calculates 4% use tax on this figure.
Both parties sign Section 11. If Honolulu County requires a notarized bill of sale for your transaction, bring the unsigned form to the notary and sign there.
For a complete field-by-field walkthrough of every section, see: How to Fill Out a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale →
How to Transfer a Car Title in Hawaii
For the Seller
Endorse the Certificate of Title by filling in the odometer reading in Section A on the front of the title and signing as the seller. Provide the buyer with the endorsed title, current registration certificate, and current safety inspection certificate.
Complete a Notice of Transfer form and mail it within 10 days to the county motor vehicle registration office where the vehicle was last registered.
For the Buyer
Within 30 days of purchase, visit your county motor vehicle registration office with the endorsed title, current registration, safety inspection certificate, this bill of sale, a completed application for registration, valid ID, and payment for transfer fees and 4% use tax.
Lost Title
Apply for a duplicate title through your county motor vehicle registration office before proceeding with the sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
30 days from the date of purchase. Late fees vary by county — Hawaii County and Maui County each charge $50. Contact your county motor vehicle registration office for specific late fee information.
Hawaii charges 4% use tax on the purchase price of a privately sold vehicle. Tax is paid at the county registration office at the time of transfer. Transfers to immediate family members (spouse, parent, child) may be exempt — complete Form G-27 for the exemption.
Yes. A current Hawaii safety inspection certificate must be submitted with the title transfer application at the county registration office. Ensure the vehicle has a valid safety inspection before completing the sale.
In Honolulu County, a notarized bill of sale (Form CS-L(MVR)40) is required when selling a vehicle that is not titled in the seller’s name. In all other standard private party sales, notarization is optional but recommended for high-value transactions.
It is a form the seller mails within 10 days of the sale to the county motor vehicle registration office where the vehicle was last registered. Filing it removes the seller from liability for violations and incidents involving the vehicle after the sale date.
Yes. Hawaii does not require a specific state-issued form for most standard private party vehicle sales. Any complete and signed bill of sale with the required information is acceptable. Note that in Honolulu County, the official Form CS-L(MVR)40 (notarized) is required when the vehicle is not titled in the seller’s name.
This template and all information on this page are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by county. Contact your county motor vehicle registration office to confirm current requirements before completing your transaction.