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.

North Carolina 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.

Military personnel and their dependents may register their vehicle(s) in North Carolina or may maintain their home state registration. However, should a dependent become gainfully employed in North Carolina and use his/her vehicle in that business, then the vehicle must be registered in North Carolina. Dependents home state is considered the same as the military sponsor.

This is no longer a requirement at Seymour Johnson AFB.

Vehicle Checks -- All vehicles entering or leaving Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (SJAFB) are subject to search.

Bicycles -- Every person riding a bicycle on a street on SJAFB shall be subject to all applicable duties, responsibilities, and regulations established for motor vehicles. Bicycles shall be equipped with adequate brakes and when ridden during the hours of darkness, shall be equipped with an operational head lamp and reflector, which must be red. A handheld flashlight is acceptable for use as a night light.

Speed Limits -- The speed limit on base is 30 mph unless posted otherwise. Speed limit in base parking lots is 5 mph; speed limit in base housing is 20 mph; speed limit in base trailer court is 5 mph. The school zone speed limit is 20 mph, as it is in residential areas off base.

Seat Belts -- Seat belts must be worn while traveling in the front seat of any passenger vehicle. There is a $25 fine for any violation.(Not on Base) Children under 4 or not exceeding 45 pounds in weight must ride in a Department of Transportation approved car seat and children between 3 and 6 must either be in car seats or wear seat belts regardless of where they sit in the car.

Children under age 12 are not allowed to ride in the open beds of pickup trucks, unless properly supervised.

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.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving, you will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under 8 years of age and 80 pounds be properly restrained in child seats. if the vehicle has a rear seat, a child less than five years of age and less than 40 pounds in weight shall be properly secured in a rear seat, unless the child restraint system is designed for use with air bags. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat.

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. North Carolina General Statute 20-137.4A states: It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area while using a mobile telephone to: (1) Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as a means of communicating with another person; or (2) Read any electronic mail or text message transmitted to the device or stored within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to any name or number stored in the device nor to any caller identification information.

When operating or riding a motorcycle in North Carolina, you must wear a Department of Transportation (DOT), United Nations Economic Commission for Erope (UNECE) Standard 22.05, British Standard (BS), or Snell Standard M2005, or higher approved helmet. Googles, wrap around glasses, or a full face shield designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z87.1, UNECE 22.05, or BS6658 in effect when manufactured, will be properly worn. A windshield does not constitute proper eye protection. Wearing of long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens is required. Foot protection is also mandatory. This includes sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles. Headlights must also be turned on at all times. For further information, please refer to AFI 91-207 and/or SJAFBI 31-218.

Registering Motorcycles on Base

This is no longer a requirement at Seymour Johnson AFB.