Hawaii adds clearer notice rules for license revocations

Hawaii lawmakers would change the notice that starts an administrative license revocation, making the document do more of the work up front for drivers accused of alcohol- or drug-related offenses. The notice would say the driver’s license and operating privilege are administratively revoked, and it would set the basic cutoff at 30 days after issuance in alcohol-related cases and 44 days after issuance in drug-related cases.

The date that starts the clock

The notice would also identify when revocation proceedings began. If a driver asks for an administrative hearing, the revocation could come later, on a date set by the director, unless the revocation is rescinded.

A temporary permit inside the warning

When it applies, the same notice would serve as a temporary permit to drive during the revocation process. It would also warn drivers who had a valid license at arrest that they must get an ignition interlock permit and keep the device installed and operating in any vehicle they drive during the revocation period.

Section 291E-34 would also be amended to expand the information in the administrative-review notice, including a reminder that the review is automatic.