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.

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.

Privately owned boats, camping, and baggage trailers must be registered with the Outdoor Recreation Office and placed in the Recreational Vehicles Park within seven working days of their introduction to Ft. Eustis. Privately owned boats must also be registered with the State of Virginia or documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. (Not required if they are registered with another state.)

<>Virginia State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver's license 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 State Department of Motor Vehicles website.

• Application for Registration (Form VSA 17A) (Need to know: Gross weight of the vehicle; Purchase price of the vehicle; for military they requested the Soldier's SSN on the form)
• Proof of Identity & Address: i.e. Your Driver's License and Cable or Telephone Bill with Name of Titled Vehicle's Owner and their Address
• Virginia State Inspection Certification

• Proof of Insurance

Forms for Military and Out-of-State Resident requested by DMV (but not their website):

• Vehicle Title
• If Soldier is not with you: A copy of their out-of-state License**
• Power of Attorney

• ***LES (After successfully registering your vehicle, you will receive a letter in the mail requesting a current LES that must reflect legal domicile; date entered military or years of service, the last four digits of your social security number, period covered by the LES and your estimated separation date.)
• Orders

State Laws

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts. 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 secured in a child safety seat or booster seat regardless of height or weight. Review Virginia's child passenger safety laws.

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

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. 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 secured in a child safety seat or booster seat regardless of height or weight. Review Virginia's child passenger safety laws.

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

Cell phones and other digital devices

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 violations. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Personal Property Tax

Vehicles registered in Virginia are subject to a personal property tax. The only exception is for a vehicle registered solely in the name of an active-duty member who is not domiciled in Virginia. A vehicle registered in the names of a husband and wife, where one spouse is a civilian, is subject to taxation, regardless of either spouse's domicile. Some military members choose to avoid the tax by removing the spouse's name from the title. This is done by having the civilian spouse sign over his or her ownership on the original title and applying for a new title and registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles. (If the vehicle has a lien against it because of a loan, you may have to get the original certificate of title from the bank.).

Traffic

Speed limits are clearly marked on both installations and are enforced by roving police patrols equipped with radar. Seat belts are required at all times while driving on base. Parking of motor vehicles is authorized only in those areas/spaces designated for parking. If a vehicle operator (military or civilian) is stopped by Security Forces for a traffic violation or routine identification check, full cooperation with the patrol officer or gate guard is required by producing any and all identification.

Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way; however, they should not step into crosswalks in the path of approaching vehicles when such action would require emergency breaking on the part of the vehicle operator. Pedestrians must consider surface road conditions prior to entering the crosswalk. Please be especially mindful of pedestrians in large parking lots such as the PX/ BX/Commissary or Hospital.

Registering Vehicles on Base

You are no longer required to register your vehicle on Langley or on Ft Eustis.

Ft. Eustis Information

Privately owned boats, camping and baggage trailers must be registered with the Outdoor Recreation Office and placed in the Recreational Vehicles Park within seven working days of their introduction to Ft. Eustis. Privately owned boats must also be registered with the State of Virginia or documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. (Not required if they are registered with another state.)

Restricted areas at Ft Eustis:

The following areas are designated as on-post, off-limit areas which require authorization to enter from a specific source:

• Range and Training Areas -- In accordance with TCFE Regulation 350-8, authorization to enter range and training areas must be obtained from the Training Division. 
• Wooded Areas -- Persons not engaged in an official military operation must obtain authorization to enter wooded areas suitable for hunting, or camping, from the Game Warden's Office. 
• Unapproved Dirt Roads -- Persons in POVs must obtain authorization to use unapproved dirt roads from the PMO (Provost Marshal Office) or the Game Warden's Office.

Visit the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for more information on licensing, registering, and taxes regarding personally operated vehicles. Virginia DMV

Speed limits are clearly marked on both installations, and are enforced by roving police patrols equipped with radar. Seat belts are required at all times while driving on base. Parking of motor vehicles is authorized only in those areas/spaces designated for parking. If a vehicle operator (military or civilian) is stopped by Security Forces for a traffic violation or routine identification check, full cooperation with the patrol officer or gate guard is required by producing any and all identification.

Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way; however, they should not step into crosswalks in the path of approaching vehicles when such action would require emergency breaking on the part of the vehicle operator. Pedestrians must consider surface road conditions prior to entering the crosswalk. Please be especially mindful of pedestrians in large parking lots such as the PX/ BX/Commissary or Hospital.

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 and fines assessed for violations. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Virginia Department of Transportation - Cell Phone Laws

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. 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 secured in a child safety seat or booster seat regardless of height or weight. Review Virginia's child passenger safety laws.

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

Cell phones and other digital devices

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 violations. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide.

Personal Property Tax

Vehicles registered in Virginia are subject to a personal property tax. The only exception is for a vehicle registered solely in the name of an active-duty member who is not domiciled in Virginia. A vehicle registered in the names of a husband and wife, where one spouse is a civilian, is subject to taxation, regardless of either spouse's domicile. Some military members choose to avoid the tax by removing the spouse's name from the title. This is done by having the civilian spouse sign over his or her ownership on the original title and applying for a new title and registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles. (If the vehicle has a lien against it because of a loan, you may have to get the original certificate of title from the bank.).

Traffic

Speed limits are clearly marked on both installations and are enforced by roving police patrols equipped with radar. Seat belts are required at all times while driving on base. Parking of motor vehicles is authorized only in those areas/spaces designated for parking. If a vehicle operator (military or civilian) is stopped by Security Forces for a traffic violation or routine identification check, full cooperation with the patrol officer or gate guard is required by producing any and all identification.

Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way; however, they should not step into crosswalks in the path of approaching vehicles when such action would require emergency breaking on the part of the vehicle operator. Pedestrians must consider surface road conditions prior to entering the crosswalk. Please be especially mindful of pedestrians in large parking lots such as the PX/ BX/Commissary or Hospital.

Registering Vehicles on Base

You are no longer required to register your vehicle on Langley or on Ft Eustis.

Ft. Eustis Information

Privately owned boats, camping and baggage trailers must be registered with the Outdoor Recreation Office and placed in the Recreational Vehicles Park within seven working days of their introduction to Ft. Eustis. Privately owned boats must also be registered with the State of Virginia or documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. (Not required if they are registered with another state.)

Restricted areas at Ft Eustis:

The following areas are designated as on-post, off-limit areas which require authorization to enter from a specific source:

• Range and Training Areas -- In accordance with TCFE Regulation 350-8, authorization to enter range and training areas must be obtained from the Training Division.
• Wooded Areas -- Persons not engaged in an official military operation must obtain authorization to enter wooded areas suitable for hunting, or camping, from the Game Warden's Office.
• Unapproved Dirt Roads -- Persons in POVs must obtain authorization to use unapproved dirt roads from the PMO (Provost Marshal Office) or the Game Warden's Office.

Virginia Department of Transportation Website