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.

Virginia 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 State Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Vehicles of armed forces personnel must be registered in their own names or the names of their legal dependents. If the vehicle is titled in BOTH service member and spouse's names, there will be no property tax assessment. Taxes are approximately 3% of the assessed value of the vehicle. This can be quite an expense, especially on a new or late model car.

Any person who is active duty military is exempt from taxation if their legal residence or domicile is outside of Virginia, pursuant to the Federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. If the spouse of an active duty military person is not a Virginia resident and has the same domicile as the person on active military duty, then the spouse is exempt from taxation.  The vehicle may be registered in the name of either the active duty military person or the active duty military person's spouse, individually or in both names, jointly.  Contact your locality for more information.

To register your vehicle you will need the following:

• Military ID
• valid registration
• valid Driver's License
• proof of insurance
• safety inspection (if registered in VA)

Southside:

• Naval Base Norfolk
• Pass & ID/Visitor Control Center
• 9040 Hampton Blvd
• Norfolk, VA 23511

You can obtain visitors passes Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. If you need more information, call 757-322-2971.

• Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story
• Pass & Decal (Gate 3)
• 3710 Helicopter Road
• Virginia Beach, VA  23459

You can obtain visitors passes Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.  If you need more information, call 757-462-4001.

Peninsula:

• NWS Yorktown
• Pass & ID
• Located outside Gate #3 BLG 2019

You can obtain visitors passes Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you need more information, call 757-887-7338.

If you are an active duty member of the Armed Forces and stationed in Virginia, you, your spouse, and dependent children who are 16 years of age or older may drive with a valid driver's license issued by your home state. Vehicles registered in your name may be driven with valid out-of-state license plates. If you choose to register your vehicle in Virginia, you do not have to obtain a Virginia driver's license.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. Children riding in motor vehicles will be required to be properly restrained in a booster seat until they reach eight (8) years of age. Children are required to ride in a rear-facing seat until the age of two or when the child reaches the minimum weight limit for a forward-facing safety seat as stated by the manufacturer of the safety seat.  Additionally, the law requires rear-facing child seats be placed only in the back seat of a vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a back seat, the device may be placed in the front passenger seat, provided the airbag has been deactivated, or there is no airbag equipment.

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 for more information.

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. Effective January 1, 2021, it is illegal to have any kind of communication device in your hand while driving on the highways in Virginia.  Cell phones are prohibited from use while driving on any installation in the Hampton Roads area, this includes hands free devices.

Virginia drivers younger than 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle in Virginia while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communication devices. The new law prohibits the use of cell phones even if they are considered to be hands free. It also prohibits text messaging while driving.

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.

Speed limits are strictly enforced on all bases in the Hampton Roads region. Failure to comply can result in fines and lose of driving privileges on all bases.

E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system. Motorists open a prepaid account and attach a small electronic device called a transponder to their windshield or license plate. As they travel through the toll facilities, tolls are automatically deducted from their pre-paid E-ZPass account. You can use your E-ZPass transponder on all toll roads with specially marked "E-ZPass" lanes. This currently includes roads in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia,West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota.

If you are a Virginia resident, you can open your E-ZPass account in any of these simple ways:

Apply online

• Personal Account Application available at 
• Call 877-762-7824
• Visit one of our Service Centers or DMV partner locations
• By picking up a transponder at an E-ZPass On-the-Go retailer and registering online or by phone. A list of retail stores carrying Virginia E-ZPass On-the-Go transponders can be found here

Residents of Virginia with permanent upper limb mobility impairment (Click here for more information.) in accordance with Section § 33.2-613 D of the Code of Virginia may be eligible for toll-free passage on Virginia toll roads.

Cell phones are prohibited from use while driving on any installation in the Hampton Roads area this includes hands free devices.