Motor Vehicles

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term vehicle generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Service members and their families will want to understand their state’s laws on registration and licensing before moving to a new state. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites.

Registration & Licensing Requirements:

Mississippi State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a vehicle. The term “vehicle” generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Further, your vehicle must be properly registered. Access complete information on insurance, driver’s licensing, and where and how to register your vehicle by visiting the State Department of Motor Vehicles website.

State Laws

Mississippi law requires the following while traveling in private passenger vehicles:

• All children under 4 years of age be in child safety seats
• Every driver and every front seat passenger must wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system that meets each person's age and weight requirements
• Every child who is at least 4 years of age but under 8 years of age, regardless of the location inside the vehicle, must wear a properly fastened safety seat belt system that meets each child's age and weight requirements.

Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle, you must comply with those laws. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Many States and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. Research these laws on the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. Tickets will be issued and fines assessed for violating these laws. Play it safe and always use a “hands free” device if you must use a cell phone or other PDA while driving. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Base Regulations

1. Seat Belts/Child Restraints on Base: 

Mississippi State traffic regulations apply on Columbus AFB. Seat belt and/or restraints are mandatory for everyone on base and mandatory for service members off base (unless medically waived for safety reasons). Columbus AFB Instruction 31-218 requires children under eight (8) years of age, unless the child is taller than four (4) feet, nine (9) inches, must be in in a restraint system (car seat/booster seat) in adherence to Mississippi Transportation Code 545.412, Child Passenger Safety Seat Systems. The car seat or booster seat will be certified by the manufacturer to meet all applicable federal performance standards and will be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Child safety seats and/or restraints are mandatory in Mississippi for all children. Under the federal magistrate program, family members, civilian workers, and military retirees in violation of base traffic regulations can be ticketed by the Security Forces and be subject points against driving privileges.

2. Cell Phones or any other Electronic Devices on the Installation:

The following is a summary of requirements that affect you and your dependents according to CAFB Instruction 31-218, DODI 6055.04 & DAFI 91-207_AETSUP 18 Sep 23:

• Text messaging while operating a government motor vehicle, operating a PMV on official government business or utilizing a government owned electronic device are prohibited on and off a DOD installation.
• Use of non-hands-free cellular devices while operating a motor vehicle on base is prohibited. Vehicle operators using non-hands-free cellular devices must exit the main roadway and bring their vehicle to a complete stop out of the flow of traffic before using the device. This policy extends to text messaging or “texting.” Texting is defined as, “reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic devices.”
• The DoD Components will prohibit individuals who are walking, jogging, running, bicycling, skating, or skateboarding on roadways from using any listening or entertainment devices (other than hearing aids) in order to not impair the recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, approaching vehicles, human speech, and outside noise in general.

3. Other safety requirements:

• Individuals walking, jogging or running are encouraged to wear highly visible clothing and accessories. During nighttime hours and inclement weather clothing should contain retro-reflective properties. This requirement does not apply to the running track.
• All persons who ride a bicycle, tricycle or other human powered vehicle, including motorized bicycles, on an AF installation roadway, to include flightlines will:
  • Wear highly visible outer garment containing retro-reflective material during hours of darkness or reduced visibility. Riders should wear a highly visible outer garment during daylight hours.
  • Wear a properly fastened, approved (e.g., Consumer Product Safety Commission, American National Standards Institute, Snell Memorial Foundation or host nation equivalent) bicycle helmet.
  • Bicycles will be equipped with front-facing, pedal, side and a rear-facing reflectors consistent with Title 16, CFR Part 1512, Requirements for Bicycles,and/or local, state requirements.

4. PTD(s) safety requirements:The DoD Components will emphasize PTD safety.

PTD(s) such as e-scooters and Segways:

• May operate on installation bike paths.
• Will cross roadways only at marked or regulated intersections.
• Will not exceed 15 miles per hour.
• PPE is required while operating a PTD. 
• At a minimum, a bicycle helmet will be worn as designed by the manufacturer at all times while operating the PTD. Helmets must meet ASTM F1447, Snell B-95, or other host nation standard for bicycle helmets. Use of a full-coverage helmet is highly encouraged.
• Users are highly encouraged to use impact- or shatter-resistant eye protection, sturdy over the ankle footwear, full-finger gloves, knee and elbow pads, and brightly colored or reflective outer garments.

While operating a PTD, the user will NOT

• Wear portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices.
• Operate a cellphone or other hand-held device.
• Drink alcoholic beverages or operate a PTD under the influence of alcohol or other substances that could affect their skills.
• PTDs will be equipped at a minimum with, or as appropriate for the PTD type:
  • Operational brakes for all wheels.
  • Operational headlights, which must be on at all times unless prohibited by State, local, or HN laws.
  • Rear view mirrors, mounted on the left or right handlebars.
  • Left and right turn signals that can be operated without removing hands from handlebars are highly recommended.
  • DoD Components will monitor advances in PTDs and, as necessary, develop policy and risk mitigations for their respective facilities and installations.

5. Motorcycle safety requirements:

• Military personnel, who operate or intend to operate a motorcycle on a roadway, operators of government-owned motorcycles and AF civilian personnel whose position description requires operating a motorcycle, will comply with all motorcycle safety training requirements. For questions regarding motorcycle training requirements contact Safety at 662.434.7233 (SAFE)
• Military members intending to operate motorcycles on a roadway must possess a valid motorcycle license, endorsement or learners permit.
• AF motorcycle safety training is not intended to meet state, territory, host-nation or applicable SOFA licensing requirements.
• The operator must possess a valid motorcycle license, endorsement or learners permit to attend AF sponsored motorcycle training, to include travel to and from training location(s).
• Military personnel are not required to attend initial motorcycle training if the member has a state motorcycle license or endorsement, or has completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation® or state approved training. Intermediate training date will begin when member is initially identified as a rider. Any questions pertaining to this requirement call Safety 662.434.7233 (SAFE)
• Other DoD civilian personnel, military retirees and military dependents may attend motorcycle operator training on a space-available basis at no additional cost to the Government.
• Motorcycle riders are reminded that proper PPE is required to ride on base, which includes sturdy over the ankle footwear, long pants, long sleeves, a DOT approved helmet with eye protection or a full-face shield and full-fingered gloves.

Implied Consent:

When you drive in Mississippi, you give your implied consent to testing for the presence of alcohol or drugs. If a Law Enforcement Officer has good reason to suspect you're driving under the influence, they can ask you to take a breath or chemical test. You have the right to refuse, in which case you must surrender your driver's license on the spot.

Mississippi enacted "Zero Tolerance" to curb teenage drinking and related accidents. The blood alcohol content of .02 applies to anyone under the age of 21. A person who drinks as little as one to two beers could be cited under DUI laws. The standard for drivers 21 or older is .08 percent. Columbus AFB aggressively pursues driving under the influence.

Registering Vehicles on Base

Registering your vehicles on base (including motorcycles)is no longer a requirement at Columbus AFB.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location.

Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in your state at the Distraction.gov State Laws page.