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.

Utah State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. 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 arrival. Access complete information on insurance, driver’s licensing by visiting the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website: https://dmv.utah.gov/.

It is not required to register your vehicle with the Hill AFB Pass and ID office. Although, it is required for all DoD ID cardholders to register their ID in DBIDS (Defense Biometric Identification System). This allows Security Forces Squadron the ability to scan your ID at the gate. ID holders can register their ID cards at the Military Personnel Flight located in building 430.

All vehicles entering or leaving Hill AFB are subject to search.

To find locations and hours of operation for the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles visit their website at https://dmv.utah.gov/. Military personnel do not have to license their motor vehicle in Utah if it is currently licensed in their state of residence.

Information needed to register a vehicle in Utah includes:

• most recent registration
• owner's title
• Utah safety inspection certificate
• Utah emissions certificate
• serial number (VIN)
• the names of all persons that must appear on the new title

Vehicles with plates from Guam, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories or U.S. Forces plates from Europe, Korea, Japan or another country must obtain Utah or other state-of-residence license plates within 60 days of arrival in Utah.

All Utah traffic laws apply when operating a motor vehicle on Hill AFB. Seatbelts are mandatory. State, local and installation officials can stop vehicles for suspected seatbelt violations. Child seat/booster seats are mandatory for children up to 8 years of age or 4'9" in height. Speed limits on base are 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Cell phone use is prohibited on base unless a hands-free device is being used. Utah has a "basic speed law" which prohibits a driver from traveling faster than is reasonably safe. Construction zone speed limits are strictly enforced. Speeding fines are doubled in areas of construction. Interstate highway speed is 70 mph and rural interstate highway speed is 75 mph. Motorcycle operators must wear proper personal protective equipment while on base.

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

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.  You can be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not worn and secured. State law requires that all children under 8 years of age or smaller than 57 inches be properly restrained in child seats/booster seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat.  For more information visit the Click It Utah website at: https://clickit.utah.gov/.

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 at: https://dmv.utah.gov/ for more information.

Many States and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. 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.