Motor Vehicles

• Riders must wear approved bicycle helmets that meet safety performance standards established by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation for Bicycle Helmets.
• A reflective upper outer garment is highly recommended, especially during periods of limited visibility. The reflective physical training belt may be worn in lieu of a reflective upper garment.
• Wearing/using headphones, earphones or other listening devices while riding bicycles is prohibited.

Registering Vehicles on Base

Fort McCoy has eliminated the vehicle registration requirement in accordance with ALARACT 343/2011.

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.

Wisconsin 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. Even though you are in the Military, you may be required to register your vehicle in-state and obtain an in-state license within a few months of moving. (See below under the WI Driver's License and Registration areas) 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.: www.dot.wisconsin.gov

To register a vehicle in the state of WI, you must have the title or registration card. If you are choosing to register the vehicle in WI as a non-resident, or if you purchased the vehicle within 90 days of becoming a resident in WI, you must show proof of tax paid (at least 5% state and .5% local tax). If you have paid tax to another jurisdiction, your home state, please provide proof of that tax paid to WI DMV.

Foreign-made vehicles have to be inspected at port-of-entry to see if they meet EPA emission standards and receive certification. Wisconsin needs all certifications verifying the vehicle meets standards.

If you are not registering your vehicle in WI, check with your home state about keeping your out of state plates and/or registration of your vehicle.

Fort McCoy has eliminated the vehicle registration requirement in accordance with ALARACT 343/2011.

All state and federal regulations about cell phones, texting, seat-belt use, motorcycle safety, etc., apply at Fort McCoy. In some cases, federal regulations are more restrictive than state or local laws.
A summary of regulations follows. Specific questions should be directed to the Directorate of Emergency Services at 608-388-2266.

If you are establishing residency in Wisconsin (renting or owning a residence, paying WI taxes, children attending school, or voting), you need to apply for a WI driver's license within 60-days. Drivers with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) only have 30-days to apply. To obtain the WI driver's license, a service member must surrender their current state driver's license, provide proof of legal presence and proof of WI residency. A vision test is required of all individuals. Those not having a U.S. driver's license need to complete written and road tests. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. www.dot.wisconsin.gov

If you are not establishing WI residency, check with your home state about renewal of current driver's license.

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.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving or you will be ticketed by enforcement and issued a fine if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under 8 years of age, 80 pounds and 57" in height be properly restrained in child seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat. Children less than 4 years old or less than 20 pounds must be located in the back seat, if a back seat is present.

Motorcycles and Mopeds, along with their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle or moped, you must comply with those laws. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. www.dot.wisconsin.gov.

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.

• Seat belts are required for drivers and all passengers in vehicles at Fort McCoy. This is a primary-enforcement law in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Children weighing 40 pounds or less must be restrained by an approved child safety seat.

• Paved roads within cantonment area: 30mph unless posted otherwise.
• Range roads, training area roads and tank trails: 30 mph unless posted otherwise.
• Passing troops: 10 mph (NOTE: Any group of troops has the right-of-way over all vehicular traffic on all roads on the installation.)
• Pine View Campground: 10 mph or as posted.
• Family housing areas: 15 mph.
• Parking lots: 5 mph.

• Vehicle operators shall not use cell phones when the vehicle is moving, unless using a hands-free device (voice only, not texting).
• Drivers needing to use their cell phones are encouraged to pull into a legal parking spot or to the side of the road.
• Use/wear of any portable headphones, earphones or listening devices other than for hands-free cellular devices while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.

• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), three- or four-wheeled vehicles, are not authorized for use on the installation.
• Snowmobiles are authorized for use only on designated, open, state snowmobile trails.

All operators must be properly licensed.

Prior to operating any motorcycle, Soldiers will successfully complete an appropriate Motorcycle Safety Foundation-based Basic Riders Course. Based on the type of motorcycle(s) owned and operated, Soldiers must complete either the Experienced Riders Course or the Military Sport Bike Riders Course within 12 months of completing the BRC.

Motorcycles must have headlights turned on at all times.

Operators and passengers must wear required clothing and safety equipment. This includes an approved helmet which meets Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; eye protection that is American National Standards Institute Z87.1 impact-resistant; sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles (durable leather or ballistic-type cloth athletic shoes that cover the ankles may be worn); long-sleeved shirt or jacket; long trousers; and full-fingered gloves or mittens made from leather or other abrasion-resistant material.

Motorcycle jackets and pants constructed of abrasion-resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar®, or Cordura® and containing impact-absorbing padding are strongly encouraged. Riders are encouraged to select personal protective equipment that incorporates fluorescent colors and retro-reflective material.

All motorists and adult passengers in a vehicle must present valid photo identification to enter Fort McCoy. People and vehicles are subject to search upon entering and while on military property. Unauthorized entry is punishable by Paragraph 18 U.S. Code 1382.

All motorists entering or operating a motor vehicle at Fort McCoy must be prepared to show proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration when requesting visitor passes or when asked to show such documentation. The Visitor Control Center is located at Bldg 35, and the phone number is 608-388-2266, DSN 280-2266.

Pedestrian Traffic

Pedestrians generally have the right of way at controlled or marked crosswalks or intersections. Fort McCoy follows Wisconsin law. Pedestrians are encouraged to walk on sidewalks where available or facing traffic if walking on roadways. Use/wear of any portable headphones, earphones or other listening devices while walking or running is authorized only on the half-mile track, which is located along O Street and East Eaton Road.

Parking

In marked parking lots, vehicles may not be parked straddling any white line(s). Vehicles may not block vehicle traffic movement into or through parking lots. Parking on grass or lawns is prohibited unless otherwise posted.

Parking on road shoulders is prohibited unless otherwise posted. Exceptions are cell-phone usage, loading or unloading passengers or equipment (15-minute limit), or mechanical failure, in which case, the hood of the vehicle should be raised to indicate mechanical problems.