Overview
The one place motorcycles come out ahead: the annual safety inspection is $17.75 instead of the $25.75 cars and trucks pay. Buying one triggers the same tax rules as a car - GET at the 4.712% visible rate for a dealer sale, generally nothing for a private-party purchase. Run your county and weight below.
01 - Official fees
Hawaii motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State registration fee | $46.00 | |
| State highway beautification fee | $7.00 | |
| State emblem fee | $0.50 | |
| State weight tax (typical bike, ≤4,000 lbs bracket) | 1.75¢/lb | |
| County registration fee | $20.00 | plus $0.50 county emblem |
| County weight tax | $12 minimum | most bikes don't exceed the floor |
| Safety inspection | $17.75 | |
| GET, dealer purchase | 4.712% | of purchase price |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county motor vehicle registration office (Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, or Kauaʻi) - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Hawaii vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Hawaii motorcycle fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a motorcycle in Hawaii per year?
Roughly $95 in Hawaiʻi County up to about $140 on Oʻahu for a typical bike under 4,000 lbs registered weight, including the $17.75 safety inspection. Most of that gap is Honolulu's higher county weight-tax rate, though many bikes still land right at the $12 county minimum.
Do motorcycles pay less weight tax than cars in Hawaii?
The rate per pound is identical to a car in the same weight bracket - but because most motorcycles weigh far less than the typical passenger car, the calculated county weight tax usually falls below the $12 minimum, so you simply pay the floor amount instead.
Is the safety inspection cheaper for motorcycles?
Yes - $17.75 versus $25.75 for cars and trucks, effective July 1, 2025. It's still required annually before you can register or renew, same as any other vehicle.
Do I pay GET buying a motorcycle from a dealer?
Yes, the same 4.712% visible pass-on rate that applies to any dealer vehicle sale. A private-party motorcycle purchase generally owes no GET or use tax, following the same casual-sale exemption as cars - file Form G-27 at registration either way.
Are mopeds and scooters registered the same way?
Street-legal mopeds and scooters with an engine go through the same county registration and weight-tax process. Very low-power devices that meet Hawaii's bicycle/electric-bicycle definitions instead of the motor vehicle definition may not need vehicle registration at all - check with your county if you're unsure which category yours falls into.
Can I register a motorcycle I'm shipping in from the mainland?
Yes - same use-tax rule as a car: 4.5% of the landed value (price plus shipping/insurance) unless you already paid tax to another state, which credits against it. Registration then follows the normal county process based on the bike's weight.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.