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HRS §286-73

License plate covers and shields are banned

You cannot put any cover or shield over your vehicle's license plate, even if it is clear or you did not mean to hide the plate. If you do, you will be fined. Each day you keep the cover on is a separate violation.

The statute, as written — Obstruction of a license plate; prohibited

The use of any cover or shield installed over a vehicle's license plate, regardless of transparency or intent, shall be prohibited. Any person who violates this section shall be fined no less than $500 and no more than $1,000 for each offense. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. For the purposes of this section, "cover" or "shield" means any device, material, or film—whether clear, tinted, mirrored, reflective, or otherwise that is installed over or affixed to a license plate, and is intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of the license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.