Drivers License (State) POC. : SC Dept Hwy & Pub
Trans Location : 1630 Shop Rd Columbia,
S.C.
Telephone: 803-253-4028 or general info at 803-737-1767
TOLL FREE - 1-800-442-1368
Hours: 0830 - 1700 M-F
Military
personnel and their family members are not required to obtain South Carolina
driver's licenses or license plates as long as they have valid ones from other
states. Expiration of a service member's driving license is different
depending upon its state of origin. Upon arrival in South Carolina,
it is recommended that you contact the South Carolina Department of Highways and
Public Transportation at 803-251-2940 (or the above-listed numbers) to determine
the laws governing your current license. If you do not have a valid
driver's license, you must pass a written examination and a road test within 90
days of your arrival. A learner's permit may be issued at the age of 15 and an
unrestricted license at age 16. The department is located at 1630 Shop
Road.
Vehicle Registration on Post: Fort Jackson is an open installation
which no longer requires automobile registration, but you may obtain a decal for
your vehicle if you plan to travel often to posts which do require one .All
motorcycles owned by soldiers or their family members that are driven on post
must be registered at the safety office, Building T2371, at the corner of Hill
Street and Ft. Jackson Blvd. Motorcyclists must also meet state and
installation requirements and attend a free, day-long course administered by the
Safety office. Installation requirements for motorcyclists include
wearing a helmet with a visor, bright colored clothing during daylight hours and
a reflective vest during dark hours, and gloves and a long-sleeved
shirt.
The following is a memo from SJA on Fort
Jackson:
MEMORANDUM FOR Incoming Personnel
SUBJECT: South Carolina
Vehicle Registration, Property Tax and Automobile Insurance
Information.
1. Welcome to Fort Jackson, S.C. South Carolina law requires
all vehicles remaining in the state for over thirty days to be registered and
licensed by the state. However, if a soldier is not a legal residence of South
Carolina and he/she owns a vehicle which is legally registered in another state,
he does not have to comply with the requirement to register his vehicle in South
Carolina.
2. Normally, persons registering a vehicle in South Carolina
must first pay any personal property tax due on the vehicle. Nonresident
soldiers ( a soldier who is a legal resident of another state but who is placed
in South Carolina pursuant to a military order)who wish to register their
vehicles in South Carolina may avoid these taxes by taking a recent LES(showing
the soldier's home state) and a copy of orders stationing that soldier in South
Carolina to the local County Auditors office. The local tax office will then
provide the soldier a tax exemption form to take to the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) office to allow registration. There is also a DMV Registration
form which the vehicle owner must complete prior to registration in South
Carolina. You may pick up this form at any local DMV office.
3. If a
nonresident soldier elects to register his vehicle in South Carolina, the county
auditor will send a bill for the personal property tax due on the vehicle each
year the soldier remains in the state. In order to re-qualify for exemption from
this tax, a soldier must again follow the procedures outlined in the preceding
paragraph.
4. EXCEPTIONS TO TAX EXEMPTION: Leased vehicles are not
entitled to tax exemption. In addition, for vehicles which are owned by the
service member, if the vehicle is jointly titled with someone who does not meet
the exemption criteria (for example a non-military spouse), then the auditor
will issue an exemption of only one-half (1/2) of the taxes assessed and the
remaining one-half (1/2) must be paid prior to registering the vehicle. Please
note that South Carolina residents are not eligible for the tax
exemption.
5. If a nonresident soldier purchases a car in South Carolina,
he/she may avoid paying sales taxes (maximum $300.00) by completing a
Nonresident Military Tax Exemption Certificate. These forms are available from
the car dealer, the South Carolina Tax Commission or the Client Services
Division of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. A commissioned officer of
higher rank in the soldiers chain-of-command (not an officer of JAG) must sign
the form acknowledging that he has reviewed the soldier's records to verify that
the soldier is not a resident of South Carolina and is stationed in South
Carolina pursuant to military orders. The form does not require notarization. It
is the soldier's responsibility to see that the forms are submitted in a timely
manner. The exemption form should be returned to the automobile dealer as soon
as possible, who in return must file the exemption form to the Department of
Revenue within ten (10) days of the date of purchase. Remember, however, that
only four-wheeled passenger vehicles and motor bikes may qualify for this
exemption. Sales taxes on vehicles such as pick-up trucks will have to be
paid.
6. If you live in Richland County, the address and telephone of the
county auditor are: Richland County Auditor's Office, 2020 Hampton St.,
Columbia, S.C. 29204.PH: 803-748-4955. If you live in another county, contact
the South Carolina Tax Commission, Sales and Tax Division, 301 Gervais Street,
Columbia, S.C. 29214 PH: 803-737-5000.
7. South Carolina requires that an
automobile operating on its streets and highways be duly insured. This means
that each vehicle must carry at least the minimum level of liability
insurance: $15,000 bodily injury to each person $30,000
bodily injury for each accident $ 5,000 property damage for each
accident
South Carolina also requires that motorist carry Uninsured
Motorist Coverage. The minimum levels of uninsured motorist coverage are the
same as above.
8. The South Carolina Highway Department issues a fine in
the amount of $400.00 to any motorist caught driving after his automobile
insurance has lapsed for five consecutive days. In order for the motorist's
driving privileges to be reinstated, he must pay the $400.00 fine, and also pay
a penalty of $5.00 per day for each day he is uninsured.
9. If there are
any questions concerning these matters, you may contact the Client Services
Division at 803-751(DSN734)-4287. Normal duty hours are from 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. each weekday. Forms pick-up and notarizations are
available on a walk-in basis.
SEATBELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS - South
Carolina has a compulsory seatbelt law which also applies when driving on Fort
Jackson. Additionally, children ages 4 and under traveling in a
vehicle's front seat must be secured in restraining devices approved by the
National Safety Products Council. Children ages 5 and under traveling
in the back seat must also be in a restraint. Children 6 years and
older traveling in the back seat must wear seatbelts.
VEHICLE
REGISTRATION:
Fort Jackson now requires the registration of all vehicles.
If you are not registered, please be prepared to show your driver's license and
vehicle registration at the entry gates. (A search of your vehicle may be
conducted as well). The vehicle registration office, which is the location to
register and obtain post decals, is located in the Strom Thurmond Bldg, Bldg
5450 on Strom Thurmond Blvd. As this may change, please call the following
numbers for further information: 803-751 (DSN734)- 7574/7573/3981.
All
motorcycles owned by soldiers or family members that are driven on post must be
registered at the Safety Office, Bldg 2371, on Beauregard Street. Motorcyclists
must also meet state and installation requirements and attend a free, day-long
course administered by the Safety Office. Installation
requirements for motorcyclists include wearing a helmet with visor, bright
colored clothing during daylight hours and a reflective vest during dark hours,
and gloves and a long-sleeved shirt.
TRAFFIC/ON-POST VIOLATIONS
Traffic violations are handled through the U.S. Magistrate Court. An
offender may either pay the fine or go before a magistrate for resolution of the
violation. Both within the city of Columbia and on Fort
Jackson, the speed limit is 30 mph unless otherwise posted. Right turns on red
are permitted, and speed limits on interstate and other highways are
strictly enforced. Additionally, state law mandates that when windshield wipers
are in use, headlights must also be turned on. Ft.
Jackson military police enforce all traffic and on-post violations. Parking is
not allowed on grass areas and in reserved parking lots on the
installation. Citations are given for vehicles playing
loud music on post. Music should not be heard for a distance of more than 125
feet (42 yards). Fort Jackson Regulation 385-10 requires
all personnel riding bicycles on the installation to wear an approved bicycle
safety helmet.
WEAPONS REGISTRATION
All personnel bringing
privately owned weapons onto the installation must register them with their unit
commander/supervisor within five working days of assignment/employment using FJ
Form 190-11-100.
TRANSPORTING & STORAGE OF PRIVATELY OWNED
WEAPONS Ft. Jackson Suppl 1 to AR 190-11 prohibits
keeping privately owned weapons in vehicles, even when properly secured, while
at work or while attending to other business on the installation not directly
related to authorized shooting activities on the
installation. If transporting a privately owned weapon in
a vehicle, it must be done in a manner prescribed by the laws of South Carolina
and must be properly secured by ensuring the weapon is unloaded and that the
ammunition is secured in a separate container. Pistols must be secured in a
closed glove box, console or trunk compartment, or if the vehicle does not have
a trunk type compartment, preferably in a separate locked container (e.g. gun
case), or in a locked type gun rack. In addition, carrying a concealed firearm
on one's person except by military, state or federal law enforcement authorities
in performance of their duties is prohibited.
PETS
Pet owners
living on the installation must register their animals within five working days
of their arrival. (SEE MUST KNOW ITEMS)
Fishing License (State) POC
: HEISE POND Location: Fort Jackson
Telephone: (803) 751(DSN 734)-4948
Boat License (State) POC
: see Heise Pond above
Hunting License (State)
POC: see Heise Pond above