Registration
Airman and Family Readiness Center - Air Force
104 E. Simpson Street
Building 500
Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404
Phone 843-963-4406
Phone (DSN) 312-673-4406
Fax 843-963-5781
Fax (DSN) 312-673-5781
Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat and Sun - closed
Holidays - closed
Motor Vehicles
Registration & Licensing Requirements
South 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.
State Laws
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 5 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.
South Carolina Distracted Driving Laws
South Carolina is one of the few states that don't have a statewide ban on texting or cell phone use while driving. However, the state allows cities to enact bans on their own, and since South Carolina Legislature hasn't been able to pass statewide distracted driving laws, more and more municipalities are putting local bans in effect. At the moment, there are bans on texting while driving in Camden, Columbia, Walhalla, Clemson, Sumter, Mount Pleasant, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort and West Union.
Mount Pleasant and Beauford County banned texting while driving in September, 2013. Beauford County prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from all cell phone use (hand-held and hands-free), in addition to the text messaging ban, which applies to all drivers. First-time offenders Beauford County face a $100 fine, which can be as high as $300 for third-time offenders, whereas those who violate the texting ban in Mount Pleasant are subject to a $50 fine.
Driver's License
General rule: Military personnel, their dependents and students temporarily in SC are not required to obtain a SC driver's license. However, they must have a current license from their home state in order to operate a vehicle in SC. If the member/family member chooses to obtain a SC license, they will have to surrender the license from their home state.
Vehicle Registration
The service member/spouse has two choices. They may choose to register their vehicle in SC or with their home of record State. If the SM chooses to register their vehicle with their home of record, the member must abide by the rules of that State. Regardless of where the vehicle is registered, the vehicle must be covered (insured)in SC. Note: Under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (PL 111-97), a military spouse's absence from a jurisdiction in the U.S. will not affect their residence or domicile for tax purposes, as long as the absence is due to the service member's compliance with military orders. In addition, income earned by the military spouse in a jurisdiction will not be treated as income from services performed or sources within that jurisdiction if that spouse is NOT treated as a resident of the jurisdiction under the act. For example, if the car was titled in the spouse's name, South Carolina WAS collecting personal property tax on that car. The spouse will no longer have to pay property tax on the vehicle.
Base Regulations
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage while driving must be "hands free" only. Texting is not permitted while driving.
Child Restraints/Seat Belts
South Carolina state traffic laws apply on JB Charleston. Seat belts are mandatory on base. State, local, and base officials can stop vehicles for suspected non use of seat belts. Seat belts are required for both drivers and front seat passengers. State law also mandates the use of child safety seats that meet National Safety Commission standards (buses are the only exception). South Carolina's child passenger restraint law requires that:
- Children from birth to 1 year old, or who weigh less than 20 pounds, must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat.
- Children 1 through 5 years old weighing 20 to 40 pounds must be restrained in a forward-facing child seat.
Children 1 through 5 years old weighing 40 to 80 pounds must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat. - Children under the age of 6 are not required to be in booster seats if they weigh more than 80 pounds or if they can sit with their backs against the car's seat and bend their legs over the seat edge without slouching.
- Children under 6 may not sit in the front passenger seat. However, this restriction does not apply if the vehicle has no rear passenger seats or if all other rear passenger seats are occupied by children less than 6 years old.
Violators are subject to a $150 fine. This law does not apply to taxis, church, school and day care buses, or commercial vehicles.
Vehicle Checks
All vehicles entering or leaving JB Charleston (AB) are subject to search. 100% ID check currently in effect.
Most areas of the WS do not require ID checks to enter.
Motorcycle/Moped/Bicycle Regulations
Military members who operate a motorcycle or moped, on or off base, are required to have completed an approved motorcycle safety course and must possess proof of training. Helmets and protective/reflective clothing (as outlined in AFI 91-207) is required for active duty motorcycle, moped, and bicycle riders on and off base. All other riders are required to abide by the same rules as active duty personnel while riding on base.
Although South Carolina law does not require the use of helmets for riders 21 years of age and above, everyone is strongly encouraged to do so. Operators should seriously consider their safety and health before deciding not to wear protective equipment. Zero tolerance for drinking and driving! For more information or to schedule motorcycle safety training contact Wing Safety at 843-963-5605 or DSN 312-673-5605.
Tinted Windows
Failure to meet South Carolina sunscreen device laws will result in a $400 fine. Personnel relocating to SC must have their vehicle(s) in compliance upon registering same in Carolina. South Carolina law states that no person may operate a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in South Carolina that has a sunscreen device that does not meet the requirements of SC law. For more information visit Tintlaws.
Walking/Jogging
Walkers/joggers must be at least 3 feet off roadway. Walkers/joggers not on trail cannot wear headsets.
Traffic Regulations
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs carries severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The base has a Zero tolerance. In addition, a conviction results in higher insurance rates.
If windshield wipers are on because of weather conditions, headlights must be on. South Carolina utilizes a point system to penalize traffic law violators. Each violation carries an assigned number of points, and when the total reaches a maximum of 12, the driver's license is suspended. Points are charged to your record for violations committed in other states.
Homes Near Base
