City says don't rush to turn in E license plates

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

Don't turn in those E license plates just yet.

City officials say that more than 50,000 drivers who hold E-series license plates first issued 14 years ago will be notified by mail when it's their turn to receive new plates.

Until then, sit tight.

The new plates will be issued in monthly batches — as each car owner's registration renewal becomes due.

Licensing and City Hall officials were flooded with queries this week after plans to replace the fading license plates were announced. Many drivers thought they had to turn in their current E-series plates immediately or face possible citation.

Not so, city officials said yesterday.

Instead, the city's licensing bureau said motorists will receive notification about the plate change with their next vehicle registration form, which are put in the mail about 45 days before the current registration expires.

The first notifications for registrations that expire at the end of July will be mailed later this month. Only those people who receive the notification in the mail will have to replace their license plates at this time, said Dennis Kamimura, city licensing administrator.

The city will continue notifying E-series plate holders of the need for change month by month as registration renewals are sent out in the mail.

For instance, those whose auto registration expires in January don't have to change plates until then. Those with E-series license plates who renewed their vehicle registration just last month won't have to worry about getting the new plates until next May.

Drivers should not take off their old plates or apply for new ones at satellite city halls before their registration renewals are due, officials said yesterday.

Once the registration renewal forms arrive, they will include a box asking holders of the E-series license plates whether they want new plates with their old E numbers or if they prefer to receive randomly chosen plates beginning with N, like the ones being issued for new cars now.

A $5 fee will be charged for mailing new plates to vehicle owners. The fee will be added to regular yearly registration fees at the time of renewal.

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com