What are Hawaii Traffic Tickets?

In Hawaii, when a law enforcement officer stops a driver or the owner of a parked vehicle for a traffic violation and issues a citation, that citation is also known as a traffic ticket. Afterward, the driver is required to go to court to respond to the charges in the citation either by pleading guilty or not guilty. Drivers can quickly lose driving privilege in Hawaii for various infringement and issues as diverse as the inability to pay child support, refusal to pay traffic violation fines, driving while impaired, speeding on the highway, and addiction to drugs. Hawaii Department of Transportation is the custodian of driver history records in the state.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. These websites often make searching more straightforward, as they are not limited by geographic location, and search engines on these sites may help when starting a search for a specific or multiple records. To begin using such a search engine on a third-party or government website, interested parties usually must provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the document or person involved

Third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these government agencies. Because of this, record availability on third-party sites may vary.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

Traffic citations are also known as traffic tickets and are usually issued to individuals who have violated Hawaii’s traffic laws. A traffic citation details the state law and code number of the violation. It also provides instructions on when and how to respond to the ticket and pay the fines.

If a driver is given a citation for reckless driving such as speeding, the driver might be asked to enroll in a driver education program, particularly for traffic violators. These courses are offered through the District Courts, and every island in Hawaii has a division. However, if a driver is given several citations for repeating speeding tickets or other traffic violations that show reckless driving, the penalty is the suspension or revoking the driver’s license.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Hawaii?

Traffic tickets in Hawaii can be paid by mail, phone, in person, and online. Traffic offenders can pay for a Hawaii traffic ticket on the phone by calling (800) 679–5949. Payment must be the total amount indicated on the citation and must be made within 21 days after getting the traffic ticket. The information required to make a payment includes the license plate number, citation number, and debit or credit card details. To be eligible to pay over the telephone, there must be no court order for the driver’s appearance, and the citation must be available in the Judicial system.

A traffic violator may choose to admit the violation, plead guilty, and pay the amount indicated on the citation by mail to the District Court. Traffic citations can also be paid physically at the District Court through money orders or checks, credit, or debit cards. Cash is not allowed.

The Hawaii State Judiciary also manages an online platform called eTraffic Hawaii, where traffic tickets can be paid using credit cards.

Traffic fines vary by courts in Hawaii, and late payment can result in the driver being charged additional fees.

Can You Pay Hawaii Traffic Tickets Online?

Traffic tickets can be paid online in Hawaii via eTraffic Hawaii, which is fast, comfortable, and safe. It can be used anywhere and allows the traffic offender to admit responsibility for the violation by paying swiftly. However, if the driver wishes to deny the citation/plead not guilty, the driver must go down to the court to settle the case. Furthermore, if it has passed 21 days since the ticket was received, it can not be paid online.

How do I Pay a Ticket online in Hawaii?

To pay online using eTraffic Hawaii, interested persons must have three critical pieces of information available:

● Traffic/parking Citation Number

● The total amount on the citation

●Credit card information

However, there are a few restrictions on paying online. Offenders cannot resolve a ticket online if there is a court order to appear, if the party wishes to contest the ticket, or if the traffic ticket is more than 21 days old.

What is the Hawaii Traffic Ticketing System?

Once a law enforcement officer in Hawaii books a traffic ticket, the defendant has to reply to the citation’s allegations. Responses must be sent in no more than 21 days to avoid stiffer penalties. Offenders can pay fines by mail, in person, online, or through the phone. However, moving and equipment traffic offenses are not punishable by a jail term.

In Hawaii, minor traffic offenses known as misdemeanors include speeding, driving with a suspended license, and driving without a seatbelt. Examples of serious infractions are reckless driving, running away from a police officer, hit and run, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These crimes are punishable by a prison term and license suspension.

Other traffic law violations such as driving an unsafe vehicle, illegal parking, and running traffic lights are punishable by fines and negative entries on a person’s driving record. Hawaii has abolished the point system for driving licenses, and no points are accumulated regardless of the charge. The driver may be required to attend a driver’s safety school in other cases of grievous traffic law violations.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Hawaii?

While Hawaii has a dedicated portal where requesters can be notified of any traffic infractions on a particular vehicle, it is possible to have a traffic ticket and not be in the know. A subscription fee of $1 is charged for every reported violation. The local District Court can be queried as well for a copy of a Hawaii Driver History Record. Applicants are to pay a $9 fee and complete the DHR form. Further assistance can also be sought by reaching out to the Hawaii Department of Transportation at (808) 692–7656 or DriverRecords.hwyv@Hawaii.gov.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Hawaii?

In cases where a traffic ticket is lost, the offender must contact the Hawaii Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) on (808) 538 5500. The information required to facilitate the search includes the offender’s name and driver’s license number. If the traffic offender does remember the citation number, the individual should visit Hawaii’s court online to obtain the traffic ticket’s full details. However, it may take up to 13 days for a traffic ticket to be uploaded in the electronic system.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Hawaii?

According to the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Section 287–3, all moving violations will remain on the offender’s record for at least ten years. Worse, traffic offenses may stay longer on a driver’s history record. If a driver is found to be a repeat offender may be suspended.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, a summons is worse than getting a ticket. A traffic ticket does not always require the offender’s presence in the court, but mostly involves the payment of fines. However, a summons requires that the offender makes a court appearance. According to the Statewide Traffic Code 291C–225, failure to reply to a court summons or citation within fourteen days of receipt will attract a penal summons from the Traffic Violations Bureau.