Vehicle Registration During PCS: State-to-State Transfer Guide

Bottom Line Up Front: You have 30-90 days to register vehicle in new state after PCS (varies by state). SCRA allows you to maintain registration in home state (avoid annual re-registration). Some states exempt military from sales tax on vehicles. Get temp tags if needed. Register on-base if available (easier). Bring: PCS orders, insurance, title, old registration, military ID.

SCRA Vehicle Registration Exemption

The Rule

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) allows you to:

• Keep vehicle registered in home state
• Even if stationed in different state
• Avoid re-registering every PCS

Requirements:

• Vehicle must be registered in your Home of Record OR state where you're legal resident
• You must have PCS orders to current duty station

Example:

• Home of Record: Texas
• Stationed in: Virginia
• Can keep Texas registration + plates
• Don't have to register in Virginia

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State-by-State Registration Requirements

States That REQUIRE Military to Register Locally

No SCRA exemption (must register):

• California: Must register within 20 days
• Hawaii: Must register within 30 days
• Michigan: Must register within 30 days

Check with: Base legal office or DMV for current requirements

States That Offer Full SCRA Exemption

Most states (45+) allow:

• Keep home state registration
• Don't require local registration if on PCS orders
• Provide copy of orders to police if stopped

Best States to Maintain Registration (No Income Tax + Low Fees)

Top choices for home of record:

1. Texas: $0 state income tax, low registration fees ($50-$75/year)
2. Florida: $0 state income tax, reasonable fees
3. Nevada: $0 state income tax
4. Tennessee: $0 state income tax
5. South Dakota: $0 state income tax, allows easy residency claim

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On-Base Vehicle Registration

Available At Most Bases

Process:

1. Go to on-base vehicle registration office
2. Bring:
   • Title
   • Insurance card
   • PCS orders
   • Military ID
   • Smog certificate (if required)
3. Pay fees ($30-$100)
4. Get base registration sticker

Pros:

• ✅ Easier than DMV
• ✅ No long lines
• ✅ They understand military paperwork
• ✅ Can maintain home state registration

Cons:

• ❌ Some states don't recognize base registration
• ❌ Must re-register every PCS

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State Sales Tax on Vehicle Purchases

Military Exemptions

Some states exempt military from sales tax:

Full exemption:

• California: Active duty from out-of-state = no sales tax (saves $2,000-$4,000 on new car)
• Virginia: Active duty = no personal property tax on 1 vehicle
• Texas: No sales tax if buying from private party (applies to everyone, not just military)

Example:

• Buy $30,000 car in California
• California sales tax: 7.5% = $2,250
• Military exemption: $0
• Savings: $2,250

How to Claim Exemption

At dealership:

1. Tell salesman you're military (claim SCRA exemption)
2. Provide PCS orders + military ID
3. Complete state's military exemption form
4. Sales tax waived

If they don't know about exemption:

• Bring copy of state law
• Contact base legal office for help
• Some dealerships try to charge tax anyway (push back)

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Insurance During PCS

Update Insurance BEFORE PCS

What to update:

• Garaging address (where car is parked)
• State of registration
• Driver's license state

Why:

• Insurance rates vary by state
• Failure to update = claim denied

Process:

1. Call USAA/Geico/Navy Federal 30 days before PCS
2. Provide new address
3. Get new rate (may increase or decrease)

State Minimum Coverage Requirements

Vary by state:

• Texas: 30/60/25 ($30K injury per person, $60K per accident, $25K property damage)
• California: 15/30/5 (lower minimums)
• Virginia: 25/50/20

Military recommended minimums:

• 100/300/100 (better protection)
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Comprehensive + collision

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Shipping POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) OCONUS

When Government Pays

Eligible moves:

• CONUS → OCONUS
• OCONUS → CONUS
• OCONUS → OCONUS (sometimes)

What's covered:

• 1 POV per service member
• Shipping costs (port-to-port)
• Doesn't cover: Pre-shipment repairs, storage

POV Shipping Process

Step 1: Vehicle Inspection (30 days before)

• Take vehicle to VPC (Vehicle Processing Center)
• Pass safety inspection
• Get certification

Step 2: Prepare Vehicle

• ¼ tank gas or less
• Remove ALL personal items
• Disable alarm
• Provide 2 sets of keys

Step 3: Drop Off Vehicle

• VPC loads onto ship
• Takes 30-90 days to arrive

Step 4: Pick Up at Destination

• VPC at new location notifies you
• Inspect vehicle (note any damage)
• Register on-base or in host nation

Should You Ship Your Vehicle?

Ship if:

• ✅ Paid off (no car payment)
• ✅ Reliable and low mileage
• ✅ Fuel-efficient (gas is expensive OCONUS)
• ✅ Going to large base (Germany, Japan)

Don't ship if:

• ❌ Gas guzzler (gas is $6-9/gallon in Europe)
• ❌ Still making payments (risky)
• ❌ Old/unreliable (expensive to fix OCONUS)
• ❌ Going to urban location (public transit available)

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Common Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Driving with Expired Registration

Reality: You PCS to new state. Keep home state plates. But registration expires. Cop pulls you over. Ticket.

Fix: Keep registration current (renew online from overseas if needed).

❌ Mistake #2: Not Updating Insurance

Reality: You PCS to Virginia. Don't update insurance. Get in accident. Insurance denies claim (wrong garaging address).

Fix: Update insurance within 30 days of PCS.

❌ Mistake #3: Paying Sales Tax When Exempt

Reality: Dealership charges you $2,000 sales tax. You're exempt under SCRA.

Fix: Know your state's military sales tax exemption. Refuse to pay.

❌ Mistake #4: Shipping Gas-Guzzler to Europe

Reality: Ship F-150 to Germany. Gas is $8/gallon. Costs $400/month.

Fix: Ship fuel-efficient car or buy local.

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Action Steps

Before PCS:

1. ✅ Check if new state requires registration (or SCRA exempt)
2. ✅ Decide: Keep home state registration vs. register locally
3. ✅ If shipping POV, schedule VPC inspection

Upon Arrival:

1. ✅ Update insurance (within 30 days)
2. ✅ Register on-base OR at DMV (if required)
3. ✅ Get temp tags if needed (while waiting for plates)

Buying Vehicle at New Location:

1. ✅ Check military sales tax exemption
2. ✅ Provide orders + military ID to dealer
3. ✅ Register on-base (if available)

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Verification & Sources

Official Sources:

• SCRA vehicle provisions: 50 USC § 3936
• State DMV military pages
• Base legal office

Last Updated: October 31, 2025

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Related Guides

• Car Buying for Military Complete Guide
• SCRA Complete Benefits Guide
• POV Shipping OCONUS Complete Guide

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Remember: SCRA vehicle provisions save you time and money. Maintain home state registration (especially if home state has no income tax). Update insurance every PCS. Don't pay sales tax if your state exempts military. Small details save big money.