The term "vehicle" includes motorcycles, automobiles, trailers,
vans and boats regularly parked or garaged overnigh in
California.
Drivers License--A California License is required when
driving a privately owned vehicle if you are an active duty California
resident. A non-resident active duty member must have in possession,
either a current California driver's license or a valid driver's license issued
by state of residence. If you are a dependent minor between 16 and 18
years of age, you must possess a "Non-Resident Minor's Certificate" issued by
the California Department of Vehicles UNLESS you hold a California driver's
license. Dependents must have in their possession a current, not
expired, driver's license issued by California. If you obtained a
driver's license within the state of a former duty station, other than
California, it must be replaced with one issued by California or your state of
residence WITHIN 10 DAYS of entering California. Dependents must also
obtain a California driver's licence if establishing residency by becoming
employed, paying school tuition, or voting, etc. The local Department
of Vehicles are noted in the Record Listings. The fee is $24.00 and
may be paid by cash or local checks. Proof of citizenship is
required. A military ID card fulfills this
requirement.
Vehicle Registration--Out-of-state registration is valid if
the vehicle is currently registered in the owner's state of
residence. Out-of-state registration is NOT valid if a military
member purchases a vehicle from a non-resident, unless the vehicle is
immediately registered in the purchaser's state of residence or California. If
your vehicle is registered in your last duty location, you may maintain that
registration until expiration. Then you must register the vehicle in
California or state of residence. You may register your vehicles in
California under this special provision at a reduced fee provided the member,
NOT A DEPENDENT, is listed as the primary owner. Items that may be
needed to register an out-of state vehicle are:
- Application for
Registration (DMV form REG 343), properly endorsed
- Out-of-state title
-
Last issued out-of-state registration card (only if the title is not
submitted)
- Verification of Vehicle (DMV form REG 31).
- Smog inspection
certificate, if required- Weight certificate, for commercial vehicles and
trailers only
- Appropriate DMV fees
- Smog impact fee, if required
-
County related fees
- Certificate of Non-resident Military Exemption,
available at Pass & Registration.
Smog Test Requirement--All vehicles
registered out-of-state (vehicles less than 5 years old are exempt) must
successfully pass a California smog test prior to being registered on Vandenberg
AFB. The smog certificate must be presented at the time of vehicle
registration. NOTE: If a vehicle does not pass the smog
test, the owner will be required to pay up to $450.00 in parts and labor before
applying for a waiver through a state referee. You may apply for a
one year extension to complete the repairs due to hardship. This
additional time may be allowed by the state referee if the vehicle is not
classified as a major polluter. The waiver is only good for one
time. When the vehicle is tested again, two years later, there is no
limit to the cost of repairs to bring the vehicle up to California smog
standards. The Smog Referee for hardship exemptions can be reached at
1-800 622-7733. This policy is different from the Non-resident
vehicle smog impact fee.
For specific information about California's smog
requirements for direct import vehicles, phone the Air Resources Board at:
1-800-242-4450 when in California 1-800-322-9277 nationwide. Also
refer to the smog check website in the details listing.
Consult the
California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) for
all other vehicles at: 1-800-952-5210 or (916) 324-0928
In
order to drive your vehicle on Vandenberg AFB, follow these
guidelines:
- Upon arrival to VAFB, all new personnel will
need to bring the following items to the Pass and Registration section within
three duty days to properly register their vehicle(s).
-- Current vehicle registration
-- Valid
state driver's license
-- ALL VEHICLES MUST PASS
CALIFORNIA SMOG REQUIREMENTS-emissions testing is available at many locations in
the local communities. (Look for coupons in the base paper) Currently
the base service station is not certified to do smog testing.
-- All TDY personnel who are here for a short term stay (60 days or
less) may obtain a temporary pass from the visitor control center outside the
Santa Maria (Main) Gate.
-- You must comply with the
financial responsibility, compulsory insurance, or no-fault insurance
requirements of the state ($15,000/$30,000/$5,000.) Insurance rates
will vary based upon a variety of reasons that include, but are not limited to
:
- Vehicle type/size of
engine/factory installed safety options
- Moving violations
- Age and years of driving
experience
- Marital
status
- Number of vehicles
to register
Contact your current insurance company or a national/
international insurance company for details concerning items that will affect
your insurance rate upon arrival to California.
Traffic--California state
traffic laws apply on Vandenberg AFB. Seat belts are
mandatory. State, local, and base officials can stop vehicles if
suspected for not using seat belts. Federally approved and properly
installed child seats/restraints are mandatory for children under 60
pounds.
Any moving violations will be reported to the offender's home
state DMV.
Vehicle Checks--All vehicles entering or leaving Vandenberg
AFB are subject to search.
Restricted Areas--Some roads may be blocked
prior to and during launches. There are also restricted areas to foot
or road traffic where there is protected wildlife, or sacred Indian grounds.
From 1 Mar - 30 Sep each year, the beaches are restricted to protect
threatened/endangered species. Read and comply with all
signs/rules. Violators are subject to $100 fines and/or disciplinary
action. Penalties under the endangered Species Act can be up to
$50,000 and 1 year in jail if you harm a Snowy Plover or Least Tern, or its
nest.
Photography--Prohibited within the confines of a restricted area
and 30 feet outside a restricted area, unless approved by the appropriate area
commander. All other photography on VAFB is
authorized.
Bicycle Helmet Law is a requirement for anyone under the age
of 18* to wear helmets that have been certified to meet or exceed safety
standards established by the American National Standards Institute or the Shell
Foundation. Violators of the bicycle helmet law will be cited and the
penalty for violations will be a maximum of $25.00. *All personnel (all ages)
who ride bicycles or use roller blades on VAFB must be in compliance with this
law.
Motorcycle operators and riders must wear brightly colored or
contrasting vest or jacket as an outer garment during the day and reflective
during the night to comply with base instruction. A reflectorized
vest or armband (2 inch width, minimum) or at least 28 square inches of
reflective material must be worn on the back, shoulder or arms. A
helmet must be worn which meets Department of Transportation
requirements.
The following must be worn: a long-sleeved shirt
or jacket, full-fingered gloves or mittens, and sturdy
footwear. Boots are strongly recommended. Impact resistant
goggles or a full-face shield must be worn, unless the motorcycle has a
windshield taller than the helmet of an upright rider. All motorcycle
operators must complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course to drive a
two-wheeler on base.
Headphones and earphones are prohibited while on a
motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard or skates, except for motorcycle helmet
intercoms between the operator and passenger.
Speeding tickets,(moving
violations) are reported to the offender's home state DMV. This
policy affects any non-military person issued a Department of Defense Form 1805
(violation notice) by the 30th Security Police Squadron. Point
assessments vary from state to state, depending on the type and severity of the
violation. Furthermore, vehicle insurance rates could increase
because of unsafe driving practices.
Headlights are required by law to be
used in inclement weather, i.e. FOG, rain, etc. Use LOW beams in
fog. The use of high beams reduces your own ability to see due to
reflection. The use of parking lights alone is prohibited by CA
Vehicle Code.
Accidents--Dial 911 and be prepared to state the location
of the accident. Identify yourself by showing your driver's license
and registration to the other driver. If there is bodily injury or
damage over $500 an SR-1, accident report, must be filed with the Dept of Motor
Vehicles within 10 days. Every driver or owner of a motor vehicle in
CA must have auto insurance with a minimum coverage of $15/30 thousand liability
and $5,000 property damage or a surety bond in the same amount.