Out-of-State DUI in Hawaii: What Tourists and Visitors Need to Know

Hawaii Can't Revoke Your License — But It Gets Worse

If you're an out-of-state driver arrested for OVUII in Hawaii, the ADLRO cannot physically revoke a license issued by another state. What it can do is revoke your privilege to operate a vehicle within Hawaii and report the entire incident to your home state through the Interstate Driver's License Compact.

Hawaii is a member of this compact, which means the ADLRO and the county driver-licensing offices report your licensing action directly to your home state's DMV. Your home state then applies its own local suspension or revocation laws to your license. In practice, this often means you return home to discover a hold, suspension, or additional requirements on your license that you didn't expect.

The compact report happens regardless of whether you resolve the criminal case. An administrative revocation by the ADLRO alone is enough to trigger home-state consequences.

The ADLRO Process Still Applies to You

Being from out of state doesn't exempt you from any of the ADLRO deadlines. The same timeline runs:

• Day 0: Arrest. License confiscated (your physical out-of-state license), NOAR issued as a 30-day temporary permit valid only in Hawaii.
• Day 3: Deadline to file Form 12 (written reconsideration).
• Day 8: ADLRO mails its review decision to the address you provided at arrest — which may be your hotel, a friend's address, or your home state address.
• 6 days after mailing: Deadline to file Form 8 (hearing request) with the $30 fee.
• Day 30: Temporary permit expires.

If you've already left Hawaii, the review decision is mailed to whatever address you gave. The 6-day clock starts when the decision is mailed, regardless of when (or whether) it reaches you. This is one of the most common traps for visitors — the decision goes to a hotel address you've already checked out of, the 6-day window passes, and the revocation is sustained by default.

File Form 17 (Change of Address) immediately if your arrest-night address won't work. Send it to the ADLRO before you leave Hawaii.

Do You Have to Come Back for the ADLRO Hearing?

No. Out-of-state drivers can participate in ADLRO hearings fully via Zoom or telephone. You don't need to fly back to Hawaii for the administrative hearing.

The same remote hearing protocols apply: download the Zoom or Webex client beforehand, test audio and video, submit any documentary evidence at least 24 hours before the hearing, and don't record the proceeding (it's prohibited under Hawaii Supreme Court Rules).

The Criminal Case Is a Different Story

Here's where things get complicated. The ADLRO hearing is administrative — remote participation is fine. The criminal court case is a separate matter, and leaving Hawaii without resolving it creates a serious problem.

If you fail to appear for your criminal court date, the judge issues a bench warrant. That warrant can trigger an arrest if you re-enter Hawaii or during routine law enforcement encounters in other states. The criminal case doesn't go away because you left the islands.

For some criminal court proceedings, your attorney may be able to appear on your behalf or arrange remote appearances. But this depends on the specific court and judge. Having an attorney handle the criminal track while you're off-island is nearly essential for out-of-state defendants.

Rental Car Complications

Most OVUII arrests of tourists and visitors involve rental vehicles. The rental car company will be notified of the arrest and may terminate your rental agreement. If the vehicle is impounded, towing and storage fees are your responsibility — and impound fees in Hawaii compound daily.

The rental company's insurance coverage typically does not extend to incidents involving impaired driving. Any damage to the vehicle during the arrest or impound process may be your full financial liability.

Your Home State Consequences

What your home state does with the compact report depends on that state's laws. Common outcomes include:

• Automatic reciprocal suspension matching Hawaii's revocation period
• Holds on license renewal until the Hawaii case is resolved
• Points added to your driving record that increase insurance rates
• Requirement to complete your home state's DUI program in addition to Hawaii's requirements

Some states treat an out-of-state OVUII report the same as a local DUI conviction. Others only act on it if there's an actual conviction in Hawaii (as opposed to just an administrative revocation). Check your home state's DMV policies — the consequences vary significantly.

Military Personnel

Active-duty military stationed in Hawaii face the same ADLRO and criminal processes as any other driver. If you hold a license from your home state (common for military), the compact report goes to that state. Additionally, a DUI may trigger reporting requirements to your commanding officer and could affect security clearances.

Military installations like Schofield Barracks have their own regulations regarding DUI incidents, and on-base DUI stops are handled through the military justice system (UCMJ), not the civilian ADLRO.

Protecting Yourself After Arrest

If you're a visitor who's been arrested for OVUII and you're about to leave Hawaii, the most important steps are: file Form 17 with your home address, be aware of the Form 12 (Day 3) and Form 8 (6 days after review mailing) deadlines, and understand that the criminal case requires either your physical return or attorney representation.

The Hawaii First-Offense DUI Guide covers the complete ADLRO and criminal process with specific sections for out-of-state drivers and remote hearing preparation.

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