Safety inspection — Hawaii Permit Test

In Hawaii, every motor vehicle driven on public highways must pass an official Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI), a safety inspection, at least once a year.

Worn brakes and bald tires creep up slowly, and a yearly check catches them before they cause a crash.

All motor vehicles operated on the public highways must have an official Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI), at least once a year, except that ambulances must be inspected once every six months, and new vehicles do not need to be inspected until two years after their initial inspection on the date that they are first sold.

In Hawaii, a new vehicle does not need another safety inspection until two years after its initial inspection on the date it is first sold.

Without this rule, the owner of a brand-new car would pay for a check on parts that have barely been used.

All motor vehicles operated on the public highways must have an official Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI), at least once a year, except that ambulances must be inspected once every six months, and new vehicles do not need to be inspected until two years after their initial inspection on the date that they are first sold.

In Hawaii, a vehicle cannot pass its safety inspection without a Hawaii state automobile insurance identification card.

Tying insurance to the inspection keeps uninsured cars from getting a sticker and staying on the road.

A Hawaii state automobile insurance identification card is required to pass the inspection.

After a vehicle passes inspection in Hawaii, a sticker is put on it and the inspection certificate issued to you must remain in the vehicle.

If the certificate is left at home, a police officer at a traffic stop has no proof the car was inspected.

Upon approval, a sticker is affixed to the vehicle and an inspection certificate is issued to you.

How often must most vehicles in Hawaii pass a safety inspection (PMVI)?

Every year. Worn brakes and bald tires creep up slowly, and a yearly check catches them before they cause a crash. State of Hawaii Driver’s Manual, p.18: “All motor vehicles operated on the public highways must have an official Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (PMVI), at least once a year, except that ambulances must be inspected once every six months, and new vehicles do not need to be inspected until two years after their initial inspection on the date that they are first sold.”