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.

South Carolina 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. Access complete information on insurance, driver's licensing, and where and how to register your vehicle by visiting the SC Department of Motor Vehicles website.

The service member/spouse has two choices. They may choose to register their vehicle in SC or with their home of record State. If the SM chooses to register their vehicle with their home of record, the member must abide by the rules of that State. Regardless of where the vehicle is registered, the vehicle must be covered (insured) in SC. Note: Under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (PL 111-97), a military spouse's absence from a jurisdiction in the U.S. will not affect their residence or domicile for tax purposes, as long as the absence is due to the service member's compliance with military orders. In addition, income earned by the military spouse in a jurisdiction will not be treated as income from services performed or sources within that jurisdiction if that spouse is NOT treated as a resident of the jurisdiction under the act. For example, if the car was titled in the spouse's name, South Carolina WAS collecting personal property tax on that car. The spouse will no longer have to pay property tax on the vehicle.

Military Spouses Residency Relief Act

Cell Phone Usage

Cell phone usage while driving must be "hands-free" only. Texting is not permitted while driving.

Child Restraints/Seat Belts

South Carolina state traffic laws apply on JB Charleston. Seat belts are mandatory on base. State, local, and base officials can stop vehicles for suspected non use of seat belts. Seat belts are required for both drivers and front seat passengers. State law also mandates the use of child safety seats that meet National Safety Commission standards (buses are the only exception). South Carolina's child passenger restraint law requires that:

• Children from birth to 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat until the child exceeds the height or weight limit allowed by the car seat.
• Children 2 years old (or under 2 years, if child exceeds rear facing car seat limits) must be secured in a forward-facing child safety seat.
• Children 4 years old who have outgrown their forward facing car seat must be secured in a booster seat, using lap and shoulder belts.
• Children 8 years old or at least 57 inches tall may be restrained by an adult safety belt if the child can be secured properly by an adult safety belt.

SC Child Passenger Safety

People who violate these laws described above can be fined up to $150. Additionally, it is possible that a parent or guardian could be investigated by the Department of Social Services for endangering the life of a child. This law does not apply to taxis, church, school and day care buses, or commercial vehicles.

Vehicle Checks

All vehicles entering or leaving JB Charleston (AB) are subject to search. 100% ID check currently in effect.
Most areas of the WS do not require ID checks to enter.

Motorcycle/Moped/Bicycle Regulations

Military members who operate a motorcycle or moped, on or off base, are required to have completed an approved motorcycle safety course and must possess proof of training. Helmets and protective/reflective clothing (as outlined in AFI 91-207) is required for active duty motorcycle, moped, and bicycle riders on and off base. All other riders are required to abide by the same rules as active duty personnel while riding on base.

Although South Carolina law does not require the use of helmets for riders 21 years of age and above, everyone is strongly encouraged to do so. Operators should seriously consider their safety and health before deciding not to wear protective equipment. Zero tolerance for drinking and driving! For more information or to schedule motorcycle safety training contact Wing Safety at 843-794-7664 or DSN 312-794-7664.

Tinted Windows

Failure to meet South Carolina sunscreen device laws will result in a $400 fine. Personnel relocating to SC must have their vehicle(s) in compliance upon registering same in Carolina. South Carolina law states that no person may operate a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in South Carolina that has a sunscreen device that does not meet the requirements of SC law.

Walking/Jogging

Walkers/joggers must be at least 3 feet off the roadway. Walkers/joggers not on the trail cannot wear headsets.

Traffic Regulations

Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs carries severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The base has a Zero tolerance. In addition, a conviction results in higher insurance rates.

If windshield wipers are on because of weather conditions, headlights must be on. South Carolina utilizes a point system to penalize traffic law violators. Each violation carries an assigned number of points, and when the total reaches a maximum of 12, the driver's license is suspended. Points are charged to your record for violations committed in other states.

General rule: Military personnel, their dependents and students temporarily in SC are not required to obtain a SC driver's license. However, they must have a current license from their home state in order to operate a vehicle in SC. If the member/family member chooses to obtain a SC license, they will have to surrender the license from their home state. For more information visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

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

South Carolina Distracted Driving Laws

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in the state at the South Carolina Distracted Driving Laws South Carolina Distracted Driving Laws page. Although texting while driving has been illegal in South Carolina since December 2014, the state does not have any other restrictions in place on cell phone use while driving.

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 8 years of age be properly restrained in child seats. Children under 8 must 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. Helmets are mandatory for all motorcycle riders on the installation.

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.