Unlike other states, process to apply for a permit or license in Hawaii is decentralized, with most of the responsibility in licensing and test going to Hawaii’s counties.  This is most likely due to the fact that Hawaii is made up of islands and having a centralized system in Honolulu would be somewhat inefficient.  The DMV locations will be based in Kaua’I, Honululu, Maui and Hawaii counties.

The fee to take the permit practice test is $2 and you will pay $5 to receive the permit.  All those that apply for an instruction permit must be at least 15.5 years old and have parental consent.  You must show a valid birth certificate and have notarized certification of parental consent before you may proceed to take the practice permit test for Hawaii.  There will also be a vision test to certify how well you can see and if you can operate a motor vehicle safely.

You will be able to find the driver’s manual for Hawaii through the poorly designed Hawaii Department of Transportation website by using the search function.  Alternatively, you may contact your County DMV location for instructions on how to acquire a digital or print copy this publication will be invaluable for passing the practice permit test in Hawaii.  Upon receiving the practice permit, you must complete driver’s education courses and pass the road test in order to earn a full Hawaii driver’s license.

permit practice test Hawaii/practice permit test Hawaii. If you need legal advice and assistance, contact Hawaii lawyers.

Car buying is a huge investment and one that will stay with the buyer for the long term.  When buying a new car, you will not have the same concerns about the reliability of the vehicle, as you would with a used car, buy you will need to consider the purpose of the car, your willingness to hang onto the car in the future and if you can afford the financing option.  You will need to expend adequate time and patience when buying a new car and by understanding all phases of the process, you will gain an important advantage not typically available to the average consumer.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is by no means, what you will pay for the car.  Even when buying a new car, you will have to negotiate with the dealer regarding fees and will have to make decisions on purchasing service contracts and extended warranties.  An awareness of taxation laws in your state will also modify what you will pay for a car.  Do not expect the dealer to give you the most honest estimate on the long term cost of the car.  Only research with a number of excellent calculators to determine the costs of loans and leases will help you determine the viability of a financing agreement.  Be prepared to negotiate on the MSRP and be aware of fees that are not mandatory.  The savvy car buyer will be able to detect these not mandatory fees and have them dismissed before buying the new car.

There is no clear cut answer here.  You will need to decide if the warranty offered to you is consistent with your needs and will not substantially add to the cost of the car.  Determining if a warranty is in your interests will depend heavily on what costs the dealer will cover and how long the coverage will last.  

You will face the choice of leasing versus buying a car.  You need to have all details of the leasing and loan offers in order to make an informed decision.  How you finance your new car purchase depends on your needs and intent for the car.  Leasing will carry heavy penalties for exceeding allotted mileage, making this arrangement not ideal for those with this particular need.  Those that intend to walk away from the car in a short period of time, typically three years, will prefer a lease as buying the car with a loan would leave you on the hook for the loan after you have decided to move on.  

You must be prepared for the financial obligations of buying a car.  This includes ensuring you will be able to make timely payments if you choose to finance.  Ensure you check the numbers on the financing agreement and that you are aware how interest will affect the principal you will owe to the dealer or salesperson.  Remember that the absence of a down payment does not necessarily work out in your favor as this is a greater principal that you will be paying interest on.

Destination charge – cost to deliver the car from the factory to the dealership, is set by the manufacturer and the buyer will end up paying it.  Any other destination or delivery fee is unnecessary.  This destination charge is a mandatory fee that cannot be avoided.

Title and registration fees – if you require a new license plate for the vehicle, the dealer will charge you this fee, set by the state, to acquire it for you.  The fee is lower if you already have plates and want to transfer them to the new vehicle.  You must register the vehicle.

Documentation fee – this fee is charged for processing the paperwork related to acquiring and buying the car.  Many states cap this fee but other states where there are no limitations will have the he run into the hundreds of dollars.  Consider this when buying a car in another state.

Sales tax – even cars are subject to sales tax.  Buying the car in another state will subject you to your state’s sale tax once you register it in your state.  The dealer may help facilitate registering the vehicle in your state.

Advertising fees – this fee can be challenged if it is not immediately disclosed to you.  This is the charge that manufactures charge dealers for advertisement and some dealerships will try to pass it one to the consumer.

Guaranteed Auto Protection Insurance – if you are leasing, this fee covers the difference between your payments and the life of the lease if the car does not survive until the end of the lease.

Extended warranty/service contract – at your discretion, you may purchase additional protection for your vehicle.  Do so only if you determine this is to your advantage and that the conditions are fair to you.  Many drivers will never need their warranty but others have saved substantially because of it.

Just about any other fee that can be added to a vehicle can be disputed, challenged, or avoided.  Other fees and coverage can be had cheaper elsewhere.  All of these fees are the reason why it is important to read all of the terms related to buying or financing a car.

Any dealer that sells over six cars a year must provide a buyer’s guide that lists the terms and conditions of the purchase, the provisions of the warranty, and the rights of the purchaser as well as the obligations of the seller.  Even when buying a new car, it is important to check the buyer’s guide for information on potential defects as well as the terms of your arrangement with the seller.  It is important to note promises made in the buyer’s guide and that spoken promises are not enforceable.

How to buy a new car/buying a new car

The Idaho Transportation Department will administer the permit practice test and maintain all records related to licensing drivers in Idaho.  The minimum age to apply for a practice permit in Idaho is 15 and this individual must be a resident of Idaho and can prove they are in the US legally.  The individual must also be of sound mid and not have a history of “habitual drunkardness.”

Like other states, those applying for a practice permit in Idaho must bring identification that establishes their identity and legal residence in the United States.  In addition, those under 18 must present certification of school enrollment as well as proof of parental consent, usually through a waiver of liability.

The practice permit test for Idaho will be a written knowledge test that will measure the applicant’s knowledge of traffic laws, signs and vehicle safety.  This is in addition to the skills test which is a road test where the applicant’s ability to operate a motor vehicle will be assessed.  The fee for the permit practice in Idaho is $3.  The test consists of 40 questions and a score of 34/40 is required to pass.  Those that fail the test will be subject to a 3 day waiting period.

The Idaho driver’s manual is available in both English and Spanish and will provide you with details about the knowledge test, including all the information you need to know.  This publication is available from the Idaho Transportation Department website.

permit practice test Idaho/practice permit test Idaho

The Iowa Department of Transportation will administer the permit practice test and license drivers in the state of Iowa.  The practice permit in Iowa is the instruction permit and those that are under 18 can obtain this permit by providing a birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of identity and proof of Social Security.  Parental consent will also be required.  Once obtained, the Iowa instruction permit lasts four years and costs $6.

When applying for an instruction permit you will need to present either a birth certificate or official picture ID.  The applicant must be older than the age of 14.  You will also need a secondary ID to verify the first form of ID you use.  You will also need to display proof of a social security number and legal status in the United States.  The instruction permit may become a full license at the age of 17, provided the applicant passes the road test.

The Iowa Driver’s Manual is the best resource for passing the practice permit test in Iowa and can be downloaded in full or by chapter from the IDOT website.  In addition to a vision test, there will be a knowledge test on Iowa law on traffic signs and highway.  The larger locations to obtain a permit in Iowa will allow you to take the practice permit test for Iowa electronically.

permit practice test Iowa/practice permit test Iowa

Like other states, the state of Massachusetts requires drivers to register their motor vehicles with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Registry of Motor Vehicles. After registering your automobile, you will receive standard license plates for your motor vehicle. Additionally, you can choose to receive personalized Massachusetts license plates that have a customized designs or numbers.

The state provides many different specialty Massachusetts license plates that you can choose. These plates can be ordered online through the Department of Transportation. Unlike many other states, the license plate numbers of these plates are randomly assigned. You cannot request a particular number or keep your current license plate number. In order to qualify for a specialty license plate, you must have your Massachusetts 

Registration in order to process the order. In addition, you should meet the following criteria:

• There are no changes to your current vehicle registration.

• You are the registered owner of the motor vehicle.

• Leased and Company-owned vehicles cannot order specialty plates on-line.

• The address shown on your registration has to be your current address.

• The Massachusetts license plate number used on the form should match the license plate number of one of the registered owners of the vehicle.

For specialty plates, initial registration fee is $50, the special plate fee is $40, the renewal fee is $90 for every two years, and the Department of Transportation plate manufacturing fee is $12. Depending on the specialty plate you choose, there will be additional initial and renewal fees that will usually go to the organization.

You can also order vanity plates for private passenger, motorcycle, livery, bus, commercial, camper or antique motor vehicles. In Massachusetts, all vanity plates must begin with two 2 letters. The license plate can be no more than 6 characters, or a maximum of 5 characters for motorcycle plates. Massachusetts vanity license plates cannot have numbers and letters intermixed. 

You can order vanity plates by going to a full service Registry Branch and filling out the Application for Vanity Plates. You will have to include a $50 check payable to MassDOT with your application.

Like other states, the state of Michigan requires drivers to register their motor vehicles with the Michigan Department of State. After registering your automobile, you will receive standard license plates for your motor vehicle.  You can either choose the classic blue-and-white Great Lakes standard plate, or for an additional $5 a year, you can get the Spectacular Peninsulas Plate Michigan license plates. If you do not like either of these designs, you can go the online License Plate Store, which is run by the Secretary of State, where you can choose from many other designs.

In the License Plate Store, you can choose between personalized plates, historical plates, standard plates, collector license plates, veteran/military service plates, and fundraising license plates.

Personalized Michigan license plates, or vanity plates, can be purchased instead of regular license plates for passenger vehicles, buses, pickups, motorcycles, motor homes, vans, and hearses. Motor Vehicles registered with a Gross Vehicle Weight plate or titled as “utility” are not eligible to receive personalized license plates.

Personalized Michigan license plates are available in the standard, Spectacular Peninsulas, special cause, veteran, and fundraising series. Personalizing a standard plate will cost $30 with $15 annual renewals. Applications are only processed at Secretary of State Offices. Vehicle owners will receive a receipt pending approval by the Department of State. Approved personalized Michigan plates are mailed from Lansing within three weeks.

If your motor vehicle is already registered, you can use the time remaining on the license plate as credit toward the new personalized license plate. The fee for the personalized license plate service is prorated for the months remaining up to the expiration date. There is an additional fee if you change the style of the license plate on your motor vehicle.

Most Minnesota motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and pickups require two license plate – one in the front of the vehicle and one in the back. Certain vehicles in Minnesota, like dealer cars, motorcycles, mopeds, and trailers, only require the rear-displayed Michigan license plate. 

When you register your motor vehicle in Minnesota for the first time, you will receive standard Minnesota license plates unless you specifically request special plates. You can swap them for special license plates by filling out the correct application and paying the fees.

For personalized Minnesota license plates, or vanity license plates, drivers must apply at a driver and vehicle services office location, or send the application form for special plates, which can be found on the Driver and Vehicle Services website online, to this address: 

Driver and Vehicle Services

445 Minnesota St., Suite 164

St. Paul, MN 55101

You will also need to send an initial application fee of $100 and a $8.50 filing fee. 

All license plates, with the exception of standard Minnesota license plates, are issued from of the central office. Any personalized license plate applicants must follow certain guidelines in order to have their license plate approved:

• Personalized Minnesota license plates can be used for passenger class vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and one-ton pickup trucks.

• The total amount of characters on the personalized Minnesota license plate of a passenger vehicle cannot exceed seven, including spaces and hyphens

• The total amount of characters on any other personalized Minnesota license plates cannot exceed six, including spaces and hyphens

• Personalized Minnesota license plates must have at least one letter character

To obtain Rhode Island license plates for your vehicle, you must have the vehicle registered and titled with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. You can do this at any of the five branch locations in Rhode Island. After submitting the correct fees and papers for your registration, you will receive your car’s license plates right away. However, if order vanity plates, you will be given temporary Rhode Island license plates until your vanity plates are ready. 

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles provides a service for drivers who want to order personalized Rhode Island license plates, or vanity plate, easily online. Payments for these may be paid for with a credit card. There is a $5 convenience fee for this service. Special license plates come with additional fees. To order a personalized plate on the standard plate design, there is a $67.50 initial fee for passenger automobiles ($41.50 for motorcycles). The charge goes to $81.50 if you request the sailboat plate design. These Rhode Island plates are valid for two years. In order to keep them when reregistering your automobile, you must pay a renewal fees. For a passenger vanity renewal, it comes out to $61.50 for two years and $61 for motorcycles.

Available Designs for Rhode Island License Plates

• Other available designs for license plates include the following:

• Sailboat (additional $20)

• Conservation through Education (Additional $41.50)

• Mr. Potato Head (Additional $41.50)

• War Veteran (Additional $10)

• Purple Heart

• National Guard (Additional $20)

When you buy a vehicle in South Carolina, you can choose to also transfer your old license plate, buy a new license plate, or buy a 45-day temporary license plate. Aside from being issued regular South Carolina license plates, you can also order personalized, specialized, or disabled South Carolina license plates.

Specialized South Carolina License Plates

The Department of Motor Vehicles of South Carolina offers a variety of specialized South Carolina license plates. You may wish to have a license plate designating your university or college, a non-profit organization, or a military branch. In order to obtain specialized South Carolina license plates, you will need to submit Form MV-95, the Application for Special License Plate, to the Department of Motor vehicles along with the $24 standard registration fee for passenger cars, and an additional registration fee whose amount varies depending on the organization.  Some can be up to $100.

Personalized South Carolina License Plates

You may also apply for customized, personal South Carolina license plates for a small fee of $30. In order to do so, you will need to submit need to complete Form MV-96, the Application for Personalized License Plate and a maximum of three choices for your personalized South Carolina License Plate. After you submit your application to be reviewed, it can be denied or approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Disabled South Carolina License Plates

If you are disabled, you can complete need to complete Form RG-007A, the Disabled Placard and License Plate Application, in order to apply for a disabled plate. A doctor will have to fill out a portion of the application in order to certify your condition. It costs $20 to get a disabled South Carolina license plate. If you need legal advice and assistance, contact South Carolina lawyers.