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.

Washington Navy Yard Visitors Center:

1022 O St SE

Washington, DC 20003

United States 

Registration & Licensing Requirements

District of Columbia 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.

State Laws

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving so, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. Check state law requirements to ensure that children are properly restrained in accordance with state law.

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

Registering Vehicles on Base

You must have a current base pass to come aboard any of Naval District Washington's (NDW) installations. In order to receive a base decal you must provide:

• driver's license
• registration
• proof of insurance
• military ID card

The Pass and ID office is located on the Washington Navy Yard (WNY).

Washington Navy Yard Visitors Center:

1022 O St SE

Washington, DC 20003

United States 

For parking permits for the WNY, you must be assigned to the yard.

Base Regulations

Security Checks -- You must have a valid military ID card to enter the installation. All passengers must have valid identification. Along with the ID card check, a visual check of your vehicle will be conducted. All vehicles entering a military installation are subject to search.

Traffic -- The speed limit on the installation is 25 mph unless otherwise posted and is enforced by roving police patrols equipped with radar.

Seat Belts -- Seat belts are required at all times while driving on base.

Parking -- All personally owned vehicles driven on to the Washington Navy Yard by personnel must be registered with the command and have a valid parking placard in order to gain access to the base between 6 a.m . and 10 a.m., Monday through Friday. To register a vehicle and obtain a POV parking placard, visit the Washington Navy Yard Visitor Control Center in Building 126 inside of the O Street gate.

Visitors driving a POV on to the installation must obtain a visitor parking placard from the WNY Visitor Control Center and park in the visitor parking lot next to Building 166 just inside the O Street gate. For more information, please call the WNY Visitor Control Center at 202-433-3738.

Retirees and dependents who are not otherwise eligible to park on the Navy Yard will be able to apply for a blue placard which will allow regular access to the Visitor Parking Lot prior to 10 a.m. This was done to allow retirees and dependents the opportunity to make frequent trips to Medical/NEX/NFCU and the gym without forcing them to obtain a visitor's pass everyday. These placards will be renewable every three years. NOTE: Parking in visitor spaces will have a 2-hour time limit. Any WNY visitor seeking to remain aboard WNY beyond the 2-hour limit will be required to obtain a day pass from the Visitor Control Center which will allow parking in a white space for a 24-hour period (or longer, if the visitor is on TAD orders or base support contract). As a reminder, anyone arriving aboard the Navy Yard after 3 p.m. will be allowed to park in any available White, Blue, or Yellow space for the evening, with or without a placard.

Accidents -- All motor vehicle accidents must be reported to the Security Police Desk Sergeant, Building 128, WNY immediately no matter how minor the accident may appear.

If a vehicle operator (military or civilian) is stopped by Security Police for a traffic violation or routine identification check, full cooperation with the patrol officer or gate guard is required and identification must be produced.

All traffic tickets (speeding, parking) are issued by the Washington Metropolitan Police Department and are subject to payments to the District of Columbia Court System.

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.