ID Needed to Renew Driver’s License With Gold Star

When the time comes to renew your Hawai‘i Driver’s License, make sure you have all the required documents so there’s no delay in getting your license.

The Department of Homeland Security has mandated that all driver’s licenses used as identification to board flights and enter all Federal buildings must bear the gold star by October 1, 2020.

On Jan. 16, 2018, motorists renewing their Hawai‘i driver’s licenses began bearing a star in a gold circle, indicating that the license is in full compliance with new Federal guidelines. To obtain the gold star driver’s licenses, which indicates the license is Real ID compliant, motorists must present the following documents to the Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division:

• A U.S. State, Local Government- issued Certificate of Birth; or a valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card;
• For married women who changed their names, a certified government-issued marriage certificate (showing name on birth certificate);
• A Social Security card (unlaminated) showing current name;
• Two documents showing your physical address (such as a HELCO bill). If you use a post office box number, submit one document with the post office box number and one document with your physical address.

Note: Motorists may elect to get a limited-purpose driver’s license, which will not have a gold star, but which may ONLY be used to drive. For more information on Acceptable Documents go online.

The County Division of Vehicle Registration & Licensing recommend renewing your license in the middle of the month when visiting Kona, Waimea or Pāhoa offices, to avoid peak crowds at other times of the month. Customers may pay with cash or personal checks; no credit cards.

No change is required at this time to currently-valid licenses. The Department of Homeland Security has mandated that all driver’s licenses used as identification to board flights and enter all Federal buildings must bear the gold star by October 1, 2020. Passports can be used as alternate identification to board flights.