Tesla Motors Club
Moderator Note: This thread has evolved with the registration process in Hawaii and this post (#1) has been revised to consolidate the latest information into a single post. The original version of the registration process can be found at the bottom of post #2 (wiki) for thread integrity.
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HI Vehicle Registration Process
Last update: 12/28/15 (minor)
A. The Hawaii Tesla auto registration process has evolved since the first Tesla were delivered on Oahu.
Post #2 of this thread documented the process up and until about Fall of '14. State of Hawaii, Dept of Taxation's Excise Tax and City & County registration is handled by Tesla Motors now. (Thank you Tesla!)
B. The Tesla Service Center performs safety inspections and using a contractor source applies for the vehicle registration and picks up the license plate. By state law auto dealers are permitted to perform a vehicle safety inspection and apply a sticker that is good for two years vice the standard one year. Good news: When you pick up your new Tesla your safety inspection is good for two years.
C. Safety Inspection Sticker location.
Several new owners do not like the traditional method of affixing the stickers to the bumpers. There are options available other than applying the sticker to the rear bumper. The new owner has the option of bringing their own sticker mounting plate/bracket.
(1) The Service Center uses a metal safety inspection sticker bracket mounted to the right of the license plate, so that they do not need to apply the sticker to the colored bumper. The Service Center supplied sticker bracket has an insulating material on the car body side of the bracket to prevent rubbing on the truck lid.
(2) An alternative sticker mounting method is a clear plastic plate with a sticker extension out the side to allow room for the sticker available at Min Plastic. The clear plastic plate is the same size as the license plate so it extends across the width and length of the license plate. This length protects the car from scratches. The clear sticker mounting plate is available at Min Plastics, 921 Kaamahu Place, Honolulu (808) 847-1511. (Min Plastics is located on the street behind Institute for Human Services, near the corner of Dillingham and King Street.) The cost is about $22. The design has been updated to accommodate the new one piece HI safety inspection sticker that mounts horizontally.
D. Owners are still responsible for paying the state excise tax 4.5% on Oahu for the individual automobile purchase. However, owners no longer need to make the trip down to the Dept of Taxation (DoTax) office on Punchbowl Street. New owners pay Tesla and Tesla pays the state for the owner. Thank you again Tesla.
E. Vanity plate versus EV plate. Vanity plates are cool. However to qualify for EV perks from the C&C and State your Tesla must display the EV plate. It's worth it, but it's your choice. We recommend the EV plate. Owners with regular or vanity plates have reported they too usually receive the EV tag benefits but there's no guarantee 100% of the time..
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HI Vehicle Registration Process
Last update: 12/28/15 (minor)
A. The Hawaii Tesla auto registration process has evolved since the first Tesla were delivered on Oahu.
Post #2 of this thread documented the process up and until about Fall of '14. State of Hawaii, Dept of Taxation's Excise Tax and City & County registration is handled by Tesla Motors now. (Thank you Tesla!)
B. The Tesla Service Center performs safety inspections and using a contractor source applies for the vehicle registration and picks up the license plate. By state law auto dealers are permitted to perform a vehicle safety inspection and apply a sticker that is good for two years vice the standard one year. Good news: When you pick up your new Tesla your safety inspection is good for two years.
C. Safety Inspection Sticker location.
Several new owners do not like the traditional method of affixing the stickers to the bumpers. There are options available other than applying the sticker to the rear bumper. The new owner has the option of bringing their own sticker mounting plate/bracket.
(1) The Service Center uses a metal safety inspection sticker bracket mounted to the right of the license plate, so that they do not need to apply the sticker to the colored bumper. The Service Center supplied sticker bracket has an insulating material on the car body side of the bracket to prevent rubbing on the truck lid.
(2) An alternative sticker mounting method is a clear plastic plate with a sticker extension out the side to allow room for the sticker available at Min Plastic. The clear plastic plate is the same size as the license plate so it extends across the width and length of the license plate. This length protects the car from scratches. The clear sticker mounting plate is available at Min Plastics, 921 Kaamahu Place, Honolulu (808) 847-1511. (Min Plastics is located on the street behind Institute for Human Services, near the corner of Dillingham and King Street.) The cost is about $22. The design has been updated to accommodate the new one piece HI safety inspection sticker that mounts horizontally.
D. Owners are still responsible for paying the state excise tax 4.5% on Oahu for the individual automobile purchase. However, owners no longer need to make the trip down to the Dept of Taxation (DoTax) office on Punchbowl Street. New owners pay Tesla and Tesla pays the state for the owner. Thank you again Tesla.
E. Vanity plate versus EV plate. Vanity plates are cool. However to qualify for EV perks from the C&C and State your Tesla must display the EV plate. It's worth it, but it's your choice. We recommend the EV plate. Owners with regular or vanity plates have reported they too usually receive the EV tag benefits but there's no guarantee 100% of the time..