Meters and disabled placards
Do I have to pay the meter with a disabled placard?
Usually yes. Holders of temporary (red) or long-term (blue) placards and special plates must pay all parking fees. Only the green Disabled Paid Parking Exemption Permit is exempt at meters, for 2.5 hours or the meter maximum, whichever is longer.
- The green permit requires a valid driver's license and physician or APRN certification of a specific disability, such as being unable to reach a meter or insert coins or cards.
- If payment must be made by QR code, website or similar, you must pay; you may ask the lot manager for a reasonable modification under the ADA.
- Other states' placards give no fee exemption in Hawaii.
Confirmed from official sourceVaries by city: noVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“regardless of how payment is made, you must pay all parking fees” (Hawaii DCAB - Disability Parking Permits FAQ)
“you are exempted from payment for a maximum of two-and-a-half hours or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer” (Hawaii DCAB - Disability Parking Permits FAQ)
Disabled parking placards
Who can get a disabled parking placard, and are other states' placards honored?
A Hawaii-licensed physician or APRN must certify a mobility disability that prevents walking 200 feet without rest or requires a mobility aid. Placards from other states and countries are recognized for reserved accessible spaces, but give no fee exemption.
- Blindness, deafness or a developmental disability alone does not qualify.
- Long-term placards are valid six years and are free; temporary placards cost $12.
- Applications go to the Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) on form PA-3.
Confirmed from official sourceVaries by city: noVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“certify that you have a mobility disability which prevents you from being able to walk 200 feet without stopping to rest” (Hawaii DCAB - Disability Parking Permits FAQ)
“placards issued by other states and countries are recognized in Hawaii and may be used to park in reserved accessible spaces” (Hawaii DCAB - Disability Parking Permits FAQ)
Time limits and overtime
How long can I stay in a time-limited space, and what happens if I overstay?
We could not find a statewide street parking time limit. Time limits are set by each county and posted on signs and meters. Parking tickets are civil infractions, and you must respond within 21 days.
- If you do not answer a parking citation, the court may enter a default judgment against the registered owner.
- Unpaid judgments can lead to a vehicle registration stopper and collection.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“you must send a response to the respective or designated District Court or Traffic Violations Bureau within 21 days” (Hawaii State Judiciary - Parking Citations)
Snow emergencies and street cleaning
When do I have to move my car for snow or street cleaning?
Hawaii has no statewide rule, and snow is not a factor. Street-cleaning limits are set by counties. Example city: Honolulu bans parking on one side of certain Kailua streets on set sweeping mornings.
- Honolulu's announcement says sweeping rules apply on the first Monday and first Thursday of each month, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- The side of the street alternates between the two days, and Honolulu police issue citations.
- This covers 11 Kailua streets only, not all of Honolulu or Hawaii.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“parking will be prohibited on one side of affected streets on the first Monday” (Example city: Honolulu - Kailua street sweeping parking restrictions)
Overnight parking and permits
Can I park on the street overnight?
We found no statewide rule; counties decide. Example city: Honolulu can create Restricted Parking Zones that use residential permits and signs to manage street parking in residential areas.
- Honolulu's Kalihi report says an earlier 2017 pilot used restricted hours of 6pm to 6am with a one-hour grace period for non-permit holders.
- The same report says each household in that pilot could get two residential and two visitor permits.
- Hours and permit limits differ by zone; this is not a statewide rule.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
Towing and fines
What can I be fined or towed for, and how do I get my car back?
Parking ticket amounts and county towing rules vary by county, and we could not confirm them from an official page. Statewide, parking in an accessible space without a valid permit carries a fine of $350 to $600 under state law.
- Forgetting to display a valid permit is a $25 to $100 fine.
- Parking tickets are civil infractions handled by the District Court or Traffic Violations Bureau.
- Check the notice on the citation or the police department for how to recover a towed vehicle.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“HRS 291-57 imposes a fine of $350-$600 if you do not have a valid disability parking permit” (Hawaii DCAB - Disability Parking Permits FAQ)
“Most parking offenses are civil (decriminalized) traffic infractions for which only monetary assessments” (Hawaii State Judiciary - Parking Citations)
Ask about parking rules
COMING SOONSoon you will be able to ask a question and get an answer from these verified rules, with the source.
General information, not legal advice. Local signs and ordinances always apply.
