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.

Georgia 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.

As non-resident military stationed in Georgia, you are not required to register your vehicle(s) in the State of Georgia as long as your vehicle(s) visibly display valid license plates (tags) from your home state. If you chose to register your vehicle(s) in Georgia, you must comply with all requirements of vehicle registration and apply at the tax commissioner's office in the county in Georgia where you are stationed. Obtain a Camden County Tax Exempt Form that waives the Ad Valorem Tax payment when registering your vehicle(s).

 It is the responsibility of the registered motor vehicle operator to report any changes in the vehicle registration to the SUBASE Pass and ID Offices.

All privately-owned vehicles on Navy installations must continue to be licensed, registered, inspected, and insured in accordance with federal, state and local laws. Additionally, all privately owned vehicles of personnel permanently assigned (active duty, civilian, contractor) to SUBASE, will be registered in CLEOC at Pass and ID during in-processing, (valid until the individuals identification (CAC) card expires and will be de-registered during out-processing due to PCS, or otherwise leaving the command. Enforcement and verification of these requirements will be conducted through the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and Random Antiterrorism Measures (RAM). Rental vehicles are considered privately-owned vehicles for the purposes of base entry and access control. The vehicle rental contract will suffice as proper licensing, registration and proof of insurance for base access. Motorcycle operators must meet the same minimum requirements as stated above. In addition, during the STEP and RAMs program, operators of motorcycles will be required to provide proof that required motorcycle education requirements have been met.

No person may operate another person's POV on SUBASE without having written authorization from the registered owner (excluding family members), the vehicle registration card and a valid state operator's license.
It is the responsibility of the registered motor vehicle operator to report any changes in the vehicle registration to the SUBASE Pass and ID Offices.

Georgia Law states, an active duty service member who does not claim Georgia as his/her state of residence (nonresident) does not have to get a Georgia driver's license, as long as the service member has a valid license issued by his/her home state.

For active duty military spouses Georgia Law states, the service member's spouse and family members do not have to get a Georgia driver's license, provided that they have valid licenses from their home state. In many instances, the military spouse will not return to his or her "Home State" for many years, which can cause problems when their driver's license expires. Therefore, check with the Georgia Department of Driver Services to ensure your family members are in compliance with Georgia State Law.

By law, the State of Georgia has concurrent law enforcement jurisdiction onboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (SUBASE). Traffic regulations on board SUBASE will conform to the statutes of Georgia Law. These regulations apply to all motor vehicle operators, motorcycle operators, passengers, and pedestrians. The term "pedestrians" shall include joggers and riders of skateboards, bicycles, and roller skates.
Motor vehicle operators are responsible for maintaining valid state driver's license, registration, license plate, and insurance. It is the responsibility of each motor vehicle operator to report any changes to the SUBASE Pass and ID Office, Building 1002. Vehicle operators shall produce the above documentation upon request by SUBASE Security personnel.

Drinking and Driving -- The operation of a motor vehicle on board SUBASE implies consent of the operator to a chemical test of their blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the blood alcohol content (BAC). Georgia State Law defines DUI as 0.08% blood alcohol content (lowest in the USA). The registration of a motor vehicle or its physical presence on board SUBASE constitutes implied consent of the owner or operator for inspection of the motor vehicle for contraband.

Open Container -- In the State of Georgia, and on SUBASE, the operator/passenger(s) of a motor vehicle are prohibited from having open containers of alcoholic beverages in their possession while in the passenger compartment.

Headphones -- Wearing of portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices while operating a motor vehicle or while jogging, bicycling, or skating/skate boarding on roads and streets is prohibited.

Window Tinting -- Window tinting on privately owned vehicles (POVs) is authorized however; it must be in compliance with current state requirements. It shall be unlawful for any resident to operate a motor vehicle in this state, which has material, and or glazing that reduces light transmission to less than 32% or increases reflectance by more than 20%.

Profane or Lewd Statements -- No motor vehicle with any sticker, decal, emblem or other device containing profane or lewd words or pictures, describing sexual acts or excretory functions on parts of the human body will be allowed onboard SUBASE Kings Bay.

Seat Belts/Child Restraints -- Seat belts are required for all POVs being driven on board SUBASE and in the State of Georgia. All personnel shall wear seat belts in the properly designed manner while operating or riding in a POV or government motor vehicle on board SUBASE. All children under the age of 4 years old and or weighing less than 40 pounds shall use an infant or child restraint device approved by the U. S. Department of Transportation while riding in a vehicle.

Cell Phones, Texting, and Driver Distractions--  All motor vehicle operators on Navy installations and operators of government-owned and leased vehicles (including rental cars while on temporary additional duty) on and off Navy installations shall not use cell phones or other hand-held electronic devices unless the vehicle is safely parked.  Additionally, the wearing of any portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.  Military and civilian personnel who operate Private Motor Vehicles (PMVs) off base shall comply with host nation, State, and local laws. All personnel are encouraged to refrain from any activity that may be a distraction while driving and lead to traffic mishaps (e.g., eating, text messaging, adjusting the radio or compact disc player, shaving, applying make-up, reading maps, newspapers, magazines, books, etc.).

Each operator must have a valid state motorcycle operator's license.

The active duty military operators must furnish a course completion card signed by an approved instructor of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or any other rider training course approved by OPNAV N09F/COMNAVSAFECEN. Military riders who are not already licensed to ride a motorcycle must complete Level One training (Basic Rider Course (BRC)) prior to operating a motorcycle. All active duty motorcycle operators must complete Level Two training (Experienced Rider Course (ERC/BRC2), or, Advanced Rider Course (ARC) or Military Sport bike Rider Course (MSRC)) within one year of completion of Level One training or motorcycle licensing. Personnel shall carry their motorcycle safety completion card on their person and display it upon demand.

Motorcycle Safety and PPE

Only street legal motorcycles are defined by Section 30112 of Title 49, U.S. Code, DPT FMVSS and State and local laws, will be operated on Navy Installation streets or highways. All original safety equipment as designed and installed by the manufacturer will be operable.

Gas-powered or electric mini-bike, pocket bikes, Segways’ or motorcycles that do not meet DOT FMVSS shall not be operated on Navy Installation roadways.

All military personnel who ride motorcycles (operators and passengers) at all times, on and off base, and all riders and passengers on any DON Installation shall wear the following PPE while riding motorcycles:

Head protection. A helmet meeting DOT FMVSS 218, Snell Standard M2005 shall be worn and properly fastened under the chin. Fake or novelty helmets are prohibited.

Autocycles.

Autocycles. Autocycles are broadly defined as three-wheeled motor vehicles designed for on-highway use with a steering wheel, foot pedals for acceleration and braking, occupant seating, and seat belts. They are driven similar to a standard passenger vehicle and may or may not have enclosed cabins, airbags, or rollover protection. Autocycles that do not meet federal safety standards for passenger vehicles will not be owned, rented, or leased for Navy use. Operators of autocycles that fully comply with all current federal, state, local, and host-nation laws and regulations will be allowed on Navy owned and controlled roadways.

Operators of autocycles will not be required to meet the motorcycle operator training requirements of this chapter.

Military members will follow motorcycle and ATV head and eye protection requirements as designated for motorcycle riders when operating or occupying autocycles without a fully enclosed cabin. Civilian employees will follow these requirements on a Navy owned or controlled installations or while conducting assigned duties.

Operator and passenger use of autocycles will comply with all applicable state, federal, local, and host-nation PPE requirements beyond the requirements of this chapter.

Bicycle Operation

The bicycle operator has the right to use SUBASE streets and a highway providing the operator complies with the law. The operator must observe the traffic laws.

All riders of bicycles, while on streets and roadways, shall wear a helmet approved by ANSI or SNELL. All bicyclists must wear an approved helmet while bicycling at all times onboard SUBASE.

All bicyclists shall wear light-colored clothing. During restricted visibility conditions such as darkness, fog or rain, reflective clothing will be worn.

All children between the ages one and four, while riding as passengers on bicycles, must be securely seated in a child passenger seat, bicycle trailer or infant sling and wearing a helmet.

Bicycle shall have working brakes and reflectors. Additionally, for bicycles ridden between sunset and sunrise, a white light on the front with the light being visible from a distance of at least 500 feet, and a red light on the rear that is visible at a distance of at least 600 feet is required. These lights may be steady burning or blinking.