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.

Texas State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver's license to operate a vehicle. The term "vehicle" generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers, and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight.

If you are temporarily stationed in Texas, you may keep your vehicle registration from your home state; however, it must be kept current. If you plan to make it your permanent home, then you need to register your vehicle. As a new resident, you have 30 days to apply for a Texas title or registration along with obtaining insurance meeting the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by the State of Texas and a Texas safety inspection and Vehicle Inspection Certificate. If you would like to apply for a Texas driver's license, the Texas Department of Public Safety issues driver licenses.

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.

Active duty military personnel with a valid driver's license from another state do not have to get a Texas driver's license or Texas license plates. However, military retirees who stay in San Antonio must obtain them.

How to get your vehicle registered in Texas:

• Have your car professionally inspected
• Go to one of the registration offices
• Bring picture ID, Title and proof of insurance
• Fill out the application
• Pay the title fee
• Pay the sticker and plate fee that is based on year and model of vehicle
• Pay the new resident fee
• Sticker and plate issued at time of registration; the title is sent to you in the mail

Auto Liability Insurance

In Texas, automobiles must be covered by minimum limits of liability insurance in accordance with the Texas Motor Safety Responsibility Act of 1981. There are minimum limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability for any licensed motor vehicle. Current proof of financial responsibility (usually automobile insurance) is required to obtain or renew a driver's license, to register a car, and upon issuance of a safety inspection sticker.

Vehicle Inspections

Annual automobile inspections are required in Texas and must be completed before registering an automobile or obtaining a Texas license plate. Take your vehicle to a certified Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) inspection station. Many mechanic shops, oil change locations, and service stations are certified by DPS as inspection stations.

Below are JBSA-wide policies and information relating to transportation and military personnel.

• Speed Limits: On Joint Base San Antonio, the installation speed limit is 25 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. Please note that when passing troops marching in formation, the speed limit is 10 miles per hour. In housing or school areas, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour.
• Safety Requirements: Texas traffic laws apply to JBSA. Seat belts are mandatory. Right turns on red are permitted unless otherwise marked.
• Communication Devices: Vehicle drivers will not use hand-held or hands-free communication devices such as cell phones, two-way radios, or electronic devices such as personal data assistants (PDA's) while driving a vehicle. Vehicle drivers will operate these devices only once the vehicle has been safely stopped and the vehicle placed in park.
• Motorcycles: Although helmets are not required by Texas state law, helmets, covered shoes, long sleeve shirts/jackets, long pants and eye protection are mandatory for service members on and off the installation. Family members must comply with these personal protection requirements when driving on the installation. If you ride motorcycles, please check in with your unit Motorcycle Safety Monitor to ensure that you comply with high-risk registration requirements.
• Car Insurance: Liability insurance is mandatory. There is minimum liability insurance for the State of Texas.
• Vehicle Checks: All vehicles entering or leaving JBSA installations are subject to no-notice inspections.
• Accidents:  On-base vehicle accidents must be reported to the Security Police Law Enforcement Desk. For minor vehicle accidents, exchange information and report it to Security Forces within 24 hours.
• Seat Belts: Seat belts are mandatory both on and off-base. Both the seat belt and speed limit requirements are strictly enforced.
• Car Seats: Children are required to be in the appropriate child safety seat system until they can properly fit in the adult safety belt. It is illegal for minors to ride in the bed of pickup trucks. View 2020 National Child Passenger Safety Best Practice Recommendations
• Restricted Areas: Access to the flight line is limited. You must have a special license to operate a vehicle on the flight line.
• Vehicle Registration: It is no longer necessary to register your vehicle on base. It is required that you always have proof of insurance and your vehicle registration with you.
• Identification Cards: All IDs are checked at the gates; be sure you have your military ID or CAC card with you and ready to present to the gate guards. All ID and CAC cards are automatically registered in the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) when they are issued.
• Weapons Registration: For weapons registration, please call the Security Forces for further information or refer to JBSA Instruction 31-001, https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/jbsa/publication/jbsanantonioi31-001/jbsanantonioi31-001.pdf. For information about concealed handguns permits off the installation, visit the Department of Public Safety's website.  
• Emergencies: Call 911 for all emergencies on base. If calling from a cell phone, tell the operator you are located on Lackland/Ft. Sam/Randolph/, and the operator will transfer you to the Emergency Communications Center.

Active-duty military personnel with a valid driver's license from another state are not required to obtain a Texas driver's license or Texas license plates; however, military retirees who stay in San Antonio must obtain them.

The information below applies to individuals who are transferring a valid out-of-state driver's license and/or applying for a new Texas driver's license/identification (ID) card. Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety for information about Motorcycle Licensure.

Application Window

New Texas residents can legally drive with a valid, unexpired driver's license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, Canadian province, or qualifying country for up to 90 days after moving to Texas. Before the end of the 90-day grace period, a new Texas resident must apply for a Texas license in person at any driver's license office. When applying for the new Texas license, the individual must surrender any unexpired driver's license in their possession from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or a Canadian province.

Testing

Written, driving, and vision tests are required for those who have never been licensed or have an expired out-of-state license. NOTE: U.S. military personnel on active duty or individuals recently discharged with an expired driver's license from another state may be exempt from the skills exam and knowledge exams. To qualify for the exemption, applicants:

1. Must present a valid military ID, and
2. Provide proof that the state which issued the driver's license has a military extension policy for which the individual qualifies. (The individual must contact the issuing state for correct documents). Visit the Department of Public Safety for a complete list of requirements and more information on applying for a Texas driver's license.

Adults (18 and Older):

Applicants who have a valid, unexpired driver's license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or from Canada must surrender their out-of-state/country driver license and are not required to take the knowledge or skills exams. They will require proof of:

• Identity (a valid out of state license can be used as a supporting document)
• Residency
• Citizenship or lawful presence
• Social security number
• Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration* for each vehicle you own. Registration must be current. Visit Texas DMV vehicle registration for more information. (New Residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver license only)
• Proof of Insurance* for each vehicle you own

Minors (Under 18):

• Applicants under 18 who have a valid driver's license or valid learner's license from another U.S. state, U.S. territory or Canadian province do not have to take the knowledge exam. NOTE: Texas law requires that anyone issued a Texas learner license must hold that license for at least six (6) months or until he/she is 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. If a learner license/permit is exchanged for a Texas learner license, it must be held for 6 months. No credit is given for prior months the applicant held their permit from another state.
• If you are under 18 years of age and apply for your first driver's license, you must complete a driver education course.  You can begin the classroom phase of a driver education course at 14 years of age, but you cannot apply for a learner license until you are at least 15 years of age. Teen licenses are issued in two phases--Phase (Learner License) and Phase II (Provisional Driver License). For details, visit https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/teenDriver.htm

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State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

Seatbelt use: As of September 1, 2009, under Chapter 545 of the Texas Transportation Code, a new law enacted by the 81st legislature as House Bill 537, requires every person riding in a motor vehicle, no matter their age, to be secured by a seat belt, no matter where they are seated in the vehicle.  This means that adults sitting in the back seat must wear a seat belt or risk receiving a traffic ticket.  Drivers of the vehicle may also be cited for failing to ensure everyone in the vehicle is wearing the proper safety restraint.

Motorcycle operation: In San Antonio, adults over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet if either proof of completion of a motorcycle operator training course or evidence of private medical insurance can be shown; however, all riders under 21 must wear a helmet. IMPORTANT: Service members are required to wear a helmet both on and off the installation.

Use of a Hand-held Mobile Communication Device While Driving: Effective January 1, 2015, San Antonio motorists are banned from holding hand-held mobile communication devices while driving. This includes being at red lights. Drivers can use a Bluetooth device to take calls. More information can be found on this website:https://www.trafficticketsa.com/distracted-driving-citations-in-san-antonio/

Child safety seats: According to Texas law, all children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4'9", are required to be in the appropriate child safety seat system wherever they ride in a passenger vehicle. The safety seat system MUST be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. The best safety practice is: if the child is not yet 4'9", they are better protected if they continue to use the appropriate child safety seat system until they can properly fit in the adult safety belt. Visit the Texas Department of Occupant Safety Program Frequently Asked Questions for more information.