I did my Texas DL renewal online, and it will be sent to my GA address, but I want to know if this is the legal thing to do. Should I get a GA DL because I'm a military spouse and our home of record is Texas? I've been married for five years, but the first three we were stationed in Fort Hood, TX, then PCSd to Fort Knox, KY where I never had the need to renew or even ask about this. My DL expires this month, and I want to make sure that military active duty and their dependents are exempted from getting a new DL every time when we PCSd. I hope not because we were in KY for 13 months and for all I know we'll be here in GA for another 13, and I'd hate to pay over and over for new DL's. All answers appreciated. Thanks.
2007-08-06 19:18:09 · 13 answers · asked by ilovethe90s 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
According to GA you do not need to get a GA DL. Here is the handbook on-line in case you would like to read it:
http://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/FullDriversManual.pdf
Georgia driver’s license is not required for:
A nonresident on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States who has
a valid license from their home state. This is also true for a spouse and any
dependent children.
(this is on page 5)
I am also in Fort Stewart but I choose to get a GA DL because we came from Germany and my NY DL expired while we were over there so I needed to get a new one. But also because I am trying to declare GA residency to. If my DL had not expired I could of kept my NY DL.
You are good to go.
EDIT: as a military family stationed in GA, you are entitled to not pay taxes when you register your car as long as soldier's name is on the title, and the soldier is not a resident of GA, it doesn't matter if the spouses name is also on the title (You can claim up to 2 cars with both the couples name on it.). this tax is called Ad valorem tax. My name is on both of our car and van and we only have to pay the $20 registration fee each because Husband who is soldier is resident of another state, NY. You must go to JAG and get the paperwork though and show them the LES that will show where soldier is resident of. I just registered both vehicles last month and only paid $40.
2007-08-07 03:58:43 · answer #1 · answered by ckamk1995 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically as a spouse you are supposed to get a DL in the state you are in. We are considered residents while the spouse isn't. When we were stationed in Ft. Stewart, we bought a car there. Since my hubby is military, he didn't have to pay taxes, but if we put my name on it as a spouse we would have had to b/c I am considered a resident. That being said. Alaska is the only place we have been stationed where they kind of enforced the DL thing. In GA I kept my PA license and just renewed it when I went home on vacation. I wouldn't worry about it though. I have never had a problem with it. You will probably just get a card in the mail to keep with your expired DL showing it is renewed and when you go home to TX, just go and get a new picture taken.
2007-08-07 04:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by conroys_girl1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to check with your home state or with your MP station as they have a list. See what their policy is regarding a spouse DL. If they don't require you to renew, then don't bother with it as the state in which you currently serve will abide by the laws of your home state. If you do get a license in your new state then it will have no impact on your husband's check, but it could be used against you when you try to vote in your home state. Best to stick with your home state and not have some DMV official send you a letter a week after you get your license asking why you haven't registered your car in their state! Good luck!
2016-05-20 03:49:52 · answer #3 · answered by alba 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
totally depends on the state you are living in. for instance, CA requires you to not only get a CA DL, they also require you to get CA plates, even if the current plates are valid. Infcat, we moved to CA with brand new 2 year Plates from VA(the car had been in storage while we were in Japan) so for two years we thought we were valid. then the plates expired while he was deployed, and when he went to renew them, they charged us for 2 years back registration. and VA wouldn't let us renew by mail because we did not have a mailing address there.
MOST states, however, have reciprocity when it comes to DL however. For instance, a NYS DL is valid as long as the Driver is Active Duty, regardless of the date on the license.
Many states however, only exempt the Servicemember from getting a new DL, not the dependents. They assume that if you live there, you are a resident and therefore must abide by residency rules.
2007-08-07 01:44:02 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some of these answers are misleading. In reality, it depends on the state that you are in now, GA. Military members are covered by the Soldier's and Sailor's Relief Act. This keeps states from requiring the member to get a new license, pay state income tax, etc. Spouses are not covered by this act. Some states require the spouse to get a new DL, others don't. Your best bet is to get in touch with the GA Secretary of State (or who ever issues DL's there) and ask them.
We are currently in Guam and my wife was required to get a new DL; in Illinois, our last station, she did not need to. Get your info from the best source on this one, not sea-lawyers like me. Call the DMV.
2007-08-06 21:02:12 · answer #5 · answered by Timber73 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is absolutely perfectly legal for you to keep your DL in your home of record. I was in the Army for 12 years traveling all over during that time and kept my DL in my home state the entire time. You are a military dependant and your ID shows that. This is all you need.
2007-08-07 22:20:54 · answer #6 · answered by Michael R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about laws in Texas or for military spouses,
But if you have a pa license and are active duty you do not have to renew your license until you move back to pa.
Your best bet is to stop by the MP station and ask them, they should have information on this
2007-08-06 19:22:23 · answer #7 · answered by King Of Battle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOu need to check with the registry for the state you are living in. Many states allow military members to keep thier liscense and registration in their state of record, but that does not always apply to dependents. Some states will require you to have an in-state liscense.
2007-08-07 01:00:40 · answer #8 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its legal as you are not a resident of Ga. When i was in the Army, got out in 2000, I was in Germany and had to renew mine. They actually sent me a drivers license without my picture on it until I could get back to the states to change it. Go ahead and renew online. Its perfectly legal. If you would feel better, Call them and tell them your circumstance and they'll help clear your mind. You can get their number...online.
2007-08-06 19:27:03 · answer #9 · answered by Get This 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm in TX right now, and we were told when we moved here (from WA) that only soldiers are exempted from that. I had to get a TXDL, even though my WADL was only about 5 months old. HTH
2007-08-07 12:15:14 · answer #10 · answered by Amy (amymurray12282 on AOL) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋