License Plate Frames in Hawaii
Hawaii plates must be displayed entirely unobscured, and plate covers are already restricted — from January 1, 2027, Act 12 bans every cover and shield outright, clear ones included, at no less than $1,000 per day.
Verified against primary sources · September 2026
What the law says
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 249-7(b) requires plates to be displayed entirely unobscured, which is the rule frames must satisfy. Covers are governed by § 286-73: the current version (Act 124, 2025) prohibits covers and shields used to obscure the plate, at $500-$1,000 per offense; from January 1, 2027, Act 12 of 2026 replaces it with a flat ban on any cover or shield regardless of transparency or intent — clear, tinted, mirrored, or otherwise — fined at no less than $1,000 per offense with each day a separate offense, and § 286-26 bars issuing an inspection certificate to a vehicle carrying one. The 2027 act is silent on frames; the unobscured-display rule of § 249-7(b) is what keeps a non-covering frame lawful.
Specific Limits
- Covers
- prohibited today when used to obscure (Act 124, 2025; $500-$1,000); ALL covers and shields banned regardless of transparency or intent from January 1, 2027 (Act 12, 2026; at least $1,000 per day)
- Frames
- conditional
- Must stay visible
- everything on the plate
Exceptions & Exemptions
License plate frames are allowed but must not cover or obscure any portion of the license plate including all letters, numbers, registration stickers, or state identification
Frequently Asked Questions
Are license plate frames legal in Hawaii?
What are the exact license plate frames limits in Hawaii?
Are there exceptions for license plate frames in Hawaii?
Street-legal license plate frames picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in Hawaii.
A low-profile frame that doesn't cover the state name, tags, or registration stickers.
Shop on AmazonMost states require the plate lit in white — not a tinted or colored bulb.
Shop on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Is My Mod Legal earns from qualifying purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear that helps you stay street-legal.