Renewing Your Driver's License

Not going to lie, my Driver's License was about to expire and I hadn't done anything to prepare. If you haven't heard - the requirements to getting a renewal have become a lot more stringent and are not as easy as showing up and taking an eye exam. But I found the process to be less painstaking then I had expected, thus I decided to write this blog to help others find their way through. 

1. You will need to fill out an Application form, you can find this online and fill it out in advance or fill it out in-person.
2. You will need an valid original or certified copy of your Birth and/or Marriage Certificate 
3. You may use a current Passport as a form of identification 
4. You will need to show your original Social Security Card
5. You have to prove your residence in Hawaii by way of 2 documents: unexpired ID, tax returns, utility bills, bank statements, rental agreements, payroll check, insurance cards, car registration, etc
6. All the above will show documentation of your: legal name, date of birth and principal residential address and everything needs to match - the name and the address.
7. Place all these items in a folder or bag, removing the excess envelopes, clips and etc. 

Now the fun part, you can renew your license up to 6 months prior to the expiration... But for some, like me, you forget all about it and realize you are going to be driving with an expired license soon. With that, if you visit online - the appointments fill up and depending on the location could have a 3-4 week wait. Here's the link: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/33564-csd-appointments.html 
You can also opt to get in line today, but for me the online version to do this wasn't working, so I had to go down in person, which if you plan right can be a pleasant experience. 

1. Head down before they open and get in line, then while you're in line you will get a number. 
2. Once open the line moves somewhat quickly, those getting Driver's Licenses (without an appointment) are given a ticket with a date and estimated time for your day-of appointment. Mine said number 24 at 10:45am, so I left, ran an errand or two and returned at 10:30am. 
3.  When I got back the number on the screen said 21. Once it hit 23 I went inside and sat down. Then at exactly 10:45am they called my number (extremely efficient and on schedule - this was great). 

I found this process to be very easy and well organized. Keep in mind that they may not be as on schedule as it was for me on that day, but it was well executed. As far as the number of people in the line in the morning, I believe it is limited, so if you don't get a number that morning you may have to come back again. You can also get an eye doctor vision clearance and skip the eye test on-site as well. Also, you receive a paper copy of your new license which doesn't come in for a week or two and the paper copy is not suitable for travel. 

*Disclaimer, I don't work for the city or state and this was my personal experience. This is my understanding of the requirements to the best of my ability.