I usually do the same sir(congratulations by the way), but not to validate an out of state driver's license. Drivers licenses are required to be recognized across state lines by federal law.
Thank you Doc, for the congratulations.
Respectfully, you are mistaken about out-of-state driver's license required to be recognized accross state lines once a military member is ordered to a state.
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Motor vehicle operator permits. The SSCRA does not preclude states from requiring persons who live within their borders to acquire a driver's license. Many states, however, allow service members to retain their license if issued from their domicile.
In Washington state, for example, the difinition of resident for Driver's Licensing is:
RCW 46.20.021
New residents.
(1) New Washington residents must obtain a valid Washington driver's license within thirty days from the date they become residents.
(3) For the purposes of obtaining a valid driver's license, a resident is a person who manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. Evidence of residency includes but is not limited to:
(a) Becoming a registered voter in this state; or
(b) Receiving benefits under one of the Washington public assistance programs; or
(c) Declaring residency for the purpose of obtaining a state license or tuition fees at resident rates.
There is no exception for military members. When I execute orders to Washington state, and move my household goods to Washington state, I am manifesting an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. My orders specifically state "
Permanent Change of Station."
So, according to RCW 46.20.021, I would be required to obtain a Washington state driver's license within 30 days of moving here. There is no Federal law that says otherwise. Driver's licenses must only be recognized across state lines by the US Constitution for non-resident travellers.
The exemption to the RCW requiring me to obtain a Washington state driver's license is in Washington Administrative Code:
WAC 308-104-008
Persons exempt from driver's license requirement.
In addition to persons exempt from driver license requirement pursuant to RCW 46.20.025, the following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents under chapter 46.20 RCW:
(2) Military personnel who are at least sixteen years of age who have in their immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by the jurisdiction designated as their home of record. A spouse or dependent of a person who meets the criteria of this subsection is also exempt from the driver's license requirement, provided that the spouse or dependent has in his or her immediate possession a valid driver's license issued by the jurisdiction designated as his or her home of record.
Since, I have lived in Washington state for more than 30 days as a resident defined by RCW, my military ID card IS required to cause my Wyoming driver's license to be valid in Washington state.
On a side note, I possess a Wyoming driver's license which has my Washington address on it. I also posses a Washington state ID card which makes the process of buying handguns from some Washington FFLs easier. I simply show my Washington state ID card as proof of residency, rather than military ID card and orders.
