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 https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services for links to state-specific websites.

To register POVs, Soldier and/or Family member must have the vehicle inspected, which can be done at the Camp Walker Car Care Center. After vehicle passes inspection take inspection documents, command sponsorship or orders and driver’s license to Camp Walker Vehicle Registration Office for processing.

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

Seat Belts -- All vehicle operators and passengers must use seatbelts.

Helmets/Reflective Vest -- You are required to wear a helmet and a reflective vest to ride/operate a bicycle/motorcycle in Korea.

Biometric Identification System

You must have a U.S. Military ID card to enter any U.S. post/base in Korea, at all times. As soon as you arrive you should process through BIDS (Biometric Identification System). Everyone must be inprocessed into BIDS to include family members (ID card holders 10 years of age and up), DA and DOD Civilian, DA and DOD Contractors.

Everyone who is in the BIDS system and departs Korea will be archived, this way when and if they ever return, their information will be in the system. It will also assist if they ever become barred, we will have all the information in the system.

In order to in-process in BIDS, you will need an ID card for all. All personnel in processing BIDS will be electronically fingerprinted. Personnel must know their residence address on and off post, and phone number (work and home).

Newly assigned personnel must in-process BIDS at the Camp Walker Soldier Support Center, Vehicle Registration Office. Please call for BIDS in-processing for questions at 315-763-4879.

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 cell phones and other digital devices while driving

For the most part, driving in Korea is almost like driving in the U.S. but with some differences. When sitting at a left turn signal, rules state that driver can only make a left turn on green arrow light.  It is illegal to turn left on any other light even if there is no traffic coming from the opposite direction. If a child walks out into the street with hand raised in the air, that child has right of way, even if it’s not at a crosswalk. Soldiers, Civilians and Family members can find more rules and regulations within the driver’s license study guide when preparing for the driver’s license test.

Driving in Korea is a privilege not a right. Not all Service Members will be allowed to drive Privately Owned Vehicles (POV). US Forces personnel in Korea allotted to drive POVs must have a USFK driver's license.

Obtaining a Driver’s License

Active duty military personnel, civilian employees and family members are required to take a written test to receive a USFK driver's license. Availability to drive in Korea depends on Rank, Job Mission and Command or Non-Command Sponsorship positions. To find out if qualified to drive in USFK please contact the following; Camp Walker Driver's Testing Office 315-763-4509.

SOFA

The legal status of U.S. Forces personnel in Korea is determined by an international agreement between the United States and the Republic of Korea called the US/ROK Status of Forces Agreement.

Your assignment in Korea not only helps the ROK, but it also helps the U.S. accomplish important foreign policy objectives. This doesn't entitle you to any special privileges, except for those provided in the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement).

The SOFA applies to all U.S. Armed Forces personnel in Korea. Persons entitled to protection under SOFA are required to carry a SOFA Card at all times. If you have family in Korea they are also required to have a SOFA verification stamp in their passport. This happens once they arrive in Korea through the legal office.