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.

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. If the vehicle is jointly owned w ith anyone other than the active duty military
person and/or his/her spouse and the co-owner is not on active military duty, the vehicle is taxable. Property taxes are administered by localities, not DMV. Contact your locality for more information. 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.

Decals are no longer required on vehicles however; you must still register your Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) with the pass office.

To register for your Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) the following documentation is required:

• Vehicle registration
• Military ID
• Drivers license
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of safety inspection, if registered in the state of VA

NSA Northwest Annex

Pass & Decal Office
Relay Road, Bldg. 1
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-2p.m. For more information, call 757-421-8123.

Southside

Naval Base Norfolk-Visitor Control Center

Pass & ID
9040 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23511

Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. If you need more information, call 757-322-2976/2974.

Peninsula

NWS Yorktown-Visitor Control Center

Pass & ID
Located outside Gate #3

Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 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.

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.

If you are an active duty member of the Armed Forces stationed in Virginia, you, your spouse and dependent children may drive with a valid driver's license issued by your home state or country. It is not necessary for you 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. Effective July 1, 2007, children riding in motor vehicles will be required to be properly restrained in a booster seat until they reach eight (8) years of age, regardless of weight or height. Additionally, the new 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. Play it safe and always use a “hands-free” device if you must use a cell phone or other PDA while driving. 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. 

In Virginia state, it is illegal to smoke in the car with children present. If a minor is present, the charge for the violation of the law is $100.

Safety inspections in Virginia are required annually and cost $20. Vehicles registered in states having safety inspection laws must display current safety inspection sticker, either from the state of registration or Virginia.

Owners with vehicles registered in states not having mandatory safety inspection requirements must present evidence of having been inspected by an authorized Virginia State Inspection Agent.

Speed limits are strictly enforced on all bases in the Hampton Roads region. Failure to comply will result in fines and loss of driving privileges on all bases. Various toll roads in the Hampton Roads area. Obtaining an E-ZPass can assist with area commutes.

The E-ZPass On-the-Go kit costs $35 and contains an E-ZPass transponder pre-loaded with $15 that can be used immediately on toll roads in and outside of Virginia. To access the remaining $20, you must set up an E-ZPass account online at www.ezpassva.com or by phone at 1-877-762-7824.

Depending on location, DMV offers customers two types of transponders - E-ZPass Standard and E-ZPass Flex. Both transponder types can be used on all Virginia toll roads.

The E-ZPass Flex transponder has an added HOV switch which allows a customer, in certain circumstances, to avoid toll charges when the vehicle is traveling the 95 and 495 Express Lanes in northern Virginia. If the vehicle has three or more occupants, the transponder may be switched to "HOV ON" and the customer may travel toll-free. (For more information about traveling on the new 95 express lanes, visit 95expresslanes.com.)

Cell phones are prohibited from use while driving on any installation in the Hampton Roads area this includes hands-free devices. Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers in Virginia, no matter the age.Texting while driving is illegal and a primary offense in Virginia. A texting while driving conviction carries a $125 fine for the first offense and a $250 fine for second or subsequent offenses. Effective January 1, 2021 Virginia law prohibits drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving except in a driver emergency or the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.