Is a Hawaii Non-Resident Permit Valid in Texas?

Why

• Hawaii does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicants must document that they currently live in hawaii (hrs 134-9(a)(5), per hawaii county pd 2025 rules); maui pd requires being 'a resident of the state of hawaii'; hawaii county requires county residency. citizen, us national, or lawful permanent resident required).

Since September 1, 2025 (SB 706, 89th Legislature), Tex. Gov't Code 411.173(b) provides that "a valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other state is recognized in this state" — every state and the District of Columbia (Gov't Code 311.005(7) defines "state" to include any district), with no holder-residency, resident-permit or age condition in the statute, so non-resident permits qualify. The DPS reciprocity chart still shows pre-SB 706 "No Agreement" entries (DC, ME, NH, OR, VT) and says MN/WI licenses are not honored; the statute controls. Permitless carry (21+) also covers most unlicensed visitors.

Carry rules in Texas

Recognition is only half the question. Once you're inside Texas, its carry rules apply to you exactly as they do to locals.

• No proactive duty — Gov't Code 411.205 requires a license holder carrying a handgun to display the LTC together with ID only when a magistrate or peace officer demands identification.
• Texas sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Texas allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A handgun may be carried in one's own (or consented) vehicle without a license; if in plain view it must be holstered and the carrier 21+ or an LTC holder (Penal Code 46.02(a-1) as amended by HB 1927).

Off-limits places in Texas

Texas bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Schools, school activities and school transportation (Penal Code 46.03(a)(1))
• Polling places on election day or during early voting

See all 6 places you can't carry in Texas →

Hawaii vs Texas: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Hawaii into Texas changes 5 rules: permitless carry (No → Yes (21+)); duty to inform police (Yes → No); magazine limit (10 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (None → All states); open carry (Restricted → Yes, no permit).

Going the other way, a Texas non-resident permit in Hawaii: not recognized.

Permits that do work in Texas

These non-resident permits are honored in Texas, ranked by how many states honor each one. They are issued to people who live outside the issuing state, subject to its eligibility rules.

• North Dakota non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Ohio non-resident permit · honored in 33 states
• Idaho non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Florida non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• South Carolina non-resident permit · honored in 32 states
• Arizona non-resident permit · honored in 31 states

Driving on from Texas

How a Hawaii non-resident permit fares in the states bordering Texas:

• Arkansas — No such permit issued
• Louisiana — No such permit issued
• New Mexico — No such permit issued
• Oklahoma — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Texas honor a Hawaii resident permit?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. That differs from the non-resident permit on this page, because Texas treats the two permit types differently.

Can a Texas non-resident permit holder carry in Hawaii?

Not recognized. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Hawaii's law, not Texas's.

Does Hawaii issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Hawaii issues carry permits to residents only (applicants must document that they currently live in Hawaii (HRS 134-9(a)(5), per Hawaii County PD 2025 rules); Maui PD requires being 'a resident of the state of Hawaii'; Hawaii County requires county residency. Citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident required). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.