Additional documents soon needed for driver’s license

Question: I recently renewed my license for two years and wasn’t required to present any documents as I already did that in 2012 when the law required them. I mentioned that to the clerk renewing my license and she said that the documents need to be presented every other renewal (meaning every four years for me). That really doesn’t make any sense since they scanned the documents initially. Would you be able to clarify the need to present documents again?

Answer: The clerk was wrong.

"I will ask that staff be consistently briefed," said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city Department of Customer Services.

What we reported March 11 stands, she confirmed: Drivers who’ve already presented all the documents required by federal law don’t have to do so again for 16 years.

For those 72 years or older, with two-year licenses, that means upon their eighth renewal; those 24 and under, with four-year licenses, at their fourth renewal; and those 25 to 71, with eight-year licenses, at their second renewal.

However, back in March, Kajiwara warned that additional documents — showing proof of principal residence — would soon be required.

That date is near. Beginning May 1, the state Department of Transportation will require two documents showing proof of residence be presented to obtain a driver’s license, as well as a state ID card.

So those who did not already bring in that proof in anticipation of the new requirement will need to do so on their next renewal, whether in two, four or eight years, Kajiwara said.

Documents (original or copy) with the applicant’s name and address that will be accepted as proof of principal residence include a current valid Hawaii driver’s license; vehicle registration/title; current voter registration card or other mail from a government or medical entity not more than 2 months old; utility bill not more than 2 months old; checking or savings account statement not more than 2 months old; payroll check or stub within two months of the application date; federal or Hawaii income tax return from the previous year; current property tax assessment, etc.

For more information and list of acceptable documents, go to the DOT website: is.gd/pQt7kF. Or call the city at 532-7730.

Also beginning May 1, the cost of state IDs, which will be good for eight years, will change. On Kauai, the fee will be $4 a year, or a total of $32. The fee will be $5 a year in Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii counties, for a total of $40.

FREE Drug Drop-Off

Want to safely get rid of unwanted, unused prescription drugs for free, no questions asked?

You can drop off tablets, capsules and any other solid forms of medication Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at various locations as part of the 8th National Take Back Initiative coordinated by the state Department of the Attorney General, the state Narcotics Enforcement Division and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

On Oahu, the collection sites are: the state Capitol, Beretania Street drive-thru; inside Kahala Mall; in front of the Marine Corps Exchange; in the parking lot of the Pearl City Police Station; in the main lobby of the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange; inside the Schofield Barracks Post Exchange; at the north end of the Town Center of Mililani; and inside Windward Mall.

For more information, call 541-1930 or go to www.dea.gov.

Last year, 4,507 pounds of prescription medications were collected on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island.

Mahalo

To husband and wife, Eli and Kim, who came upon my wallet that had fallen while I was walking home. They were prompt and went the extra mile to deliver it

to me. Thank you again for your labor of love that spared me the worry over the theft of my ID and financial information. Forgive me for not quite expressing my appreciation during our encounter. You two are awesome! — Cliff A.L.

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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.