Should Active Duty Service Members have a federal driver's license and vehicle registration?

SPC Michael Clark — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:13:39 -0400

A Federal Driver's License and Vehicle Plates would ease a lot of troubles during PCS. Also, licenses and plates would remain valid for the entire duration of military service.

There would be one less place to clear.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 2 at 2015 12:35 AM

Cpl James Waycasie — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:35:23 -0400

Sounds like a logical thing to do to me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:20 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 01:20:08 -0400

This would be a great idea, and it would alleviate some headaches

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 2 at 2015 2:30 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 02:30:50 -0400

I was able to keep my Arizona drivers license the whole time I was in the military, and it was renewed by mail with a "Valid Without Photo" notice where the photo should be. I had to get plates wherever I lived though.

I like your suggestion.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 2 at 2015 6:44 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 06:44:27 -0400

Soldier & Sailors Act already means your Driver's License doesn't expire while on active duty, unless you are in your home state.

Plates have the additional purpose of ensuring vehicle safety. The federal government doesn't have a mechanism for ensuring that.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 2 at 2015 6:45 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 06:45:12 -0400

You've got my vote...

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 2 at 2015 8:10 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:10:42 -0400

No thank you. I have had no issues with my state registration or license, only some moderate confusion by the South Dakota trooper over why I had a different insurance address.

The thing is having a federal license and in particular the federal plate is going to make you an easy target to pick out for anyone who doesn't like the military. I feel weird as it is driving around in Missouri with my North Dakota plates, I don't need everyone and their cousin to know I am military every time I drive. It's the same reason I will never get Air Force decorated license plates and why I will not put Air Force or any other military stickers or anything on my car. So far as anyone off base is concerned I am just a college student attending UCM in Warrensburg.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 2 at 2015 8:23 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:23:51 -0400

Was never an issue during my 26-year career, my FL license never "expired" as I was AD, as far as registration/plates, only headache was getting the Ad Valorem statements while in GA. I agree with the earlier comment about making it easier to ID/target servicemembers, it is easy enough if one wants to do some recon of potential targets by monitoring traffic coming and going from our installations, why provide any further identifying marks?

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 2 at 2015 8:40 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 08:40:25 -0400

No, because it is unconstitutional. The other reason is that there is no logical reason that you cannot go down to the DMV/clerk's office and change your stuff over. I also question the constitutionality of such a proposal because it is not a power granted to Congress. My final objection is based on costs incurred by the program.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 9:28 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:28:22 -0400

My driver's license was valid until either 30 or 90 days after the end of my active military service. In my case from 1960 to 1975. There was not even a renewal.

Plates were a different story.

Response by SPC Michael Clark made Oct 2 at 2015 9:30 AM

SPC Michael Clark — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:30:11 -0400

People are also forgetting other issues, such as Virginia State's property tax on vehicles. During service you would avoid that. I experienced that issue, even though I was a legal state resident, my vehicles were registered out of VA. Annually, I was required to go into the DMV and show proof of my active duty military affiliation. This could not be done while deployed. I was sent to collections a few times by the State of Virginia.