Motor Vehicles

State laws vary for 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.

Maryland State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a vehicle. 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.

On-post vehicle registration is no longer required.

There is a 100% ID Card check for personnel entering Fort Meade. All visitors without vehicle identification or proper military identification cards will be denied access to the installation.

First time visitors should report to the Visitors Control Center located at the Reece Road and Route 175 entrance. A military identification card or military sponsorship is required. In addition, a valid driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance are required at time of sign-in.

VCC operates 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Please call 301-677-1064 or 301-677-1065 if more information is required.

The VCC is closed on federal holidays and once per quarter, the third Wednesday of January, April, July, & October until 1 p.m. for training. Due to current staffing, unscheduled closures may be required. Please call ahead.

On weekends, visitors to the installation will drive to the Mapes Road. Gate and Route 175 entrance, show their accepted form of ID, and proceed to the vehicle inspection point when ordered.

Even though the VCC is located at The Reece Road Gate, the gate is closed, and entrance can be made at the Mapes Road Gate and Route 175 entrance. The Mapes Road Gate is open 24/7.

All personnel operating a motor vehicle on post are required to comply with the provisions of Fort Meade Regulations 190-5 and Maryland motor vehicle laws. Post traffic regulations limit speed to 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Vehicles are required to reduce speed to 10 mph while passing troops and to maintain a minimum clearance of five feet from marching troops.

Accidents -- All vehicle accidents that occur on post must be reported to Military Police. Inquiries regarding accidents may be directed to the Military Police Traffic Branch, 301-677-6622. Minor accidents are recorded and serve as a basis for future claims or insurance company information.

Criminal Offenses -- If vehicle operator is taken into custody for a criminal offense (i.e. drugs, firearms, larceny, vandalism), appearance before U.S. District Court (if civilian) or military commander (if military) may be required.

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.

The closest Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is located at Route 2 (Ritchie Hwy), Glen Burnie, Maryland. The phone number is 410-768-7000, and hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and the third Saturday of each month. You may also call toll free 800-950-1682.

The DMV examines and licenses drivers, conducts driver training programs, titles/registers vehicles, issues identification cards to adult non-drivers. The DMV serves persons 16 and over. Fees vary. State residency required. Service members who retain residency in their home state are not required to obtain a Maryland driver's license.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under 6 years of age and 40 pounds be properly restrained in child seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat.

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.

Fort Meade Passport Office is located in Building 4550 Parade Field LN, Fort Meade, (1st Floor, Room 149 C). To access passport forms, visit: https://pptform.state.gov and click on “TRAVEL.STATE.GOV” in the upper right hand corner. For information and assistance call 301-677-2558. Appointments are required.

ID Card information and processing is obtained at Building 4550 Parade LN, RM 133. Hours of Operations are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. When in uniform Service Members have priority from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The ID Card office is closed the last Wednesday of each month. To schedule an appointment please visit: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/locator.

Vehicle Registration: Fort Meade no longer requires "Privately Owned Vehicles" to be registered for Installation Decals.