Riding dirty

10 Apr 2014 | Lance Cpl. Norman Eckles Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

If someone is not legally able to drive in the state of California, they will not be able to get on a military installation.   
            
“If you have a car in the state of California, then you must register the vehicle in California,” said James White, California Highway Patrol officer. “It is essential for you to get the registration because officers of the law, whether on base or off, will pull you over and give you a (ticket).”
            
There are multiple things you need to legally drive a car in the state of California. These include: driver’s license, insurance and proper registration, explained White.  However, there are exceptions to this law.
            
“The only people that are allowed to have non-California registration are active duty military and their spouses, reservists on active duty and people that live within 50 miles of the state line,” said White. “If you move here from another state and establish a residency, you must register your vehicle in this state.”
            
A person has established residency if they have been in The Golden State for more than six months, have a home of record in California or are registered to vote in the state, he further explained. 
            
“If you have done any of these things, then you must register your vehicle in the state of California, even if you are a Department of Defense employee,” said White.
            
To gain access to a military installation is no different, said Denise Gutierrez, pass and identification clerk on Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
            
“If you try to come onto the installation without (a driver’s license, proper registration and insurance) you will be denied access to the base,” said Gutierrez. “If you are a DoD employee who works or lives on the base, then your vehicles must have DoD stickers.”
            
There are consequences for not having proper registration on or off base, explained White. The most common one is a citation, which requires a person to appear in court after fixing their registration. However, if a person never fixes the registration, their vehicle may be towed and impounded.
            
“If you live in California and (don’t have up to date registration), you are susceptible to being pulled over and will be fined; so, save yourself the trouble and get proper registration,” concluded White.

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