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.

Traffic: Virginia state traffic laws apply on facilities at the Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC). Seat belts are mandatory and child restraints/car seats are mandatory. Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia.

The positive expectation of the Commanding Officer is that all active-duty military, civilian employees working for the Navy, and contractor team members and support personnel will set a positive example through safe and courteous driving practices both on duty and off duty. Safety refresher training is emphasized throughout the year, and two "Safety-Security Stand Down" evolutions are held each year.

Vehicle Checks: All vehicles entering and leaving Navy facilities at SCSC are subject to search in accordance with the "Internal Security Act of 1950, Section 21, and 50 U.S.C., Section 797.

Weapons: Weapons of any kind are forbidden on base; this includes guns or knives that lock and/or are over 3" long. For further information please contact security at 757-824-2058/2046.

Pass and ID -- The pass and ID office is located in the Security office, located in Building R-10. Telephone: 757-824-2058. Hours: Normal working hours.

Criminal Offense -- Virginia State, Federal and Military criminal codified laws apply at SCSC. Personnel may be detained or apprehended by Security Force personnel for violating these laws and or released to civilian authorities. They may be subject to military, civilian, or federal prosecution dependent on the status of the offender and the circumstances surrounding the offense.

Restricted Areas -- SCSC is a tenant activity of NASA's, Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). All active runways, taxiways, aircraft hangars, parking aprons, and other flight line areas on NASA GSFC/WFF main base are controlled and restricted areas. Unauthorized personnel must avoid these areas and coordinate movement and access by obtaining an access badge from NASA Security at 757-824-2222.

SCSC has an ocean-front facility located on Wallops Island, 10 miles from the main base. Access to this facility requires an access badge for all permanent party personnel and visitors. All NASA launch facilities are controlled and access is prohibited to Navy personnel. Navy personnel obtain badge authorization via the SCSC Security Office at 757-824-2058.

Photography -- All photography within Navy buildings must be authorized in advance by the SCSC Public Affairs Officer for unclassified subjects at the main base and headquarters areas, and by the SCSC Security Manager for classified subjects or photography within designated restricted areas.

If you are an active-duty member 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 or country. Vehicles registered in your name may be driven with a valid out-of-state license plate. If you choose to register your vehicle in Virginia, you do not have to obtain a Virginia driver's license. Your spouse and dependent children will be required to obtain a Virginia driver's license within 30 days. If you possess a valid out-of-state license, take the license to a DMV office, surrender it and take a visual exam to obtain a Virginia license.

New License

• Those 16 to 18 years old must take a written, visual, and road examination, as well as show a legal I.D.
• Those 16 to 18 years old must also have completed classroom and behind-the-wheel driver education courses. Those who are 18 to 19 years old must take the written, visual, and road test as well as complete a classroom driver education course.

Personal Property Taxes

• Each city in Accomack County and the county itself assess a personal property tax on vehicles garaged in individual municipalities and registered in Virginia.
• Personal property taxes are assessed on a percentage of the value of the vehicle. The personal property tax can be avoided by having the car registered in the name of the active duty military member if the service member is not a state resident.

City Decals

• If you register your vehicle in Virginia, you must have a city sticker displayed on your vehicle windshield. Active duty personnel whose vehicle is registered in another state (title, plates, registration) are not required to obtain a city decal.
• Active duty non-residents of Virginia wishing to obtain a Virginia registration and plates will need to acquire a city decal. In this case, there is not a charge for the decal.
• To qualify for a waiver of the $15 - $25 fee, a current LES letter from the command stating non-residency, or a copy of the prior year's income tax return must be presented to the city/county treasurer's office.

Safety Inspection Stickers

• All vehicles registered in Virginia must have valid Virginia safety inspection stickers displayed on their windshield. Safety inspections in Virginia are required annually.

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 be properly restrained in child seats. 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. 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.

Applicants must present evidence or appropriate certification of compliance with the Virginia Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act. The insurance must cover the vehicle and the driver and be for the following minimum amounts: Public liability in the amount of $25,000 (injury or death of one person) ; $50,000 (injury of two or more persons) ; $20,000 (property damage). Lesser amounts of insurance are acceptable provided they meet the minimum requirements of the state from which the registered owner of the vehicle has been transferred.