Can I legally get my motorcycle towed to my house from the DFAC?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:36:54 -0400

So my registration was out and I was going to get it updated after work. My 1sgt walks buy sees the tag is expired and says you cant drive your motorcycle. I get a counseling saying I can't drive my motorcycle but it mentions nothing about towing it. So I asked to get it towed home mind you it's in the dfac parking lot in the open. Can I legally get my motorcycle towed to my house is my chain of command responsible if it gets stolen because they said to leave it there unsecured and what can I do to get my motorcycle back to me at home so its secured?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 3:45 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 15:45:27 -0400

Well, your 1SG was correct in telling you that you can't operate your motorcycle with expired tags. If nothing was mentioned that you can't tow it, then get it towed. As for your CoC possibly responsible if stolen......would they be responsible if it was stolen from the DFAC even if it had current and valid tags? What about if it was stolen from your house? Not sure how your CoC can be responsible if it's stolen. Unsecured? You lock it, don't you? You have the only key to unlock it? Now, if you consider it just sitting there as unsecured, then that same logic would apply when it sits at your house. If it can be locked to prevent operation but YOU choose not to lock it, then who's fault would it be if it was stolen? Picking up what I'm putting down?

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 25 at 2019 4:09 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:09:17 -0400

Yes, you can get it towed and not be in any trouble. Just make sure that you are not driving or riding it until after you get the new tags for it.

No, you chain of command is not responsible, even a little bit, if your bike gets stolen. It is your property and you are the only one responsible for making sure that it is secured properly. Note I said secured properly. Meaning that it is locked up, chained up. Your command said nothing about leaving it there. They said you could not ride it.

The cheap way to deal with this is to lock it up, get a buddy to take you by to get your tag, then take you to dfac and your bike, apply the proper tag/decal and then you are good to go. Towing will cost you minimum $75. It is not likely that anyone will tow it from dfac for at least a few days.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 25 at 2019 4:24 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:24:03 -0400

Got any buddy's with a pick up truck or a small flat bed trailer? haul it on that instead of getting it towed.
No, they won't be responsible if someone took it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 5:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:04:25 -0400

As a PSG, I’ve had Soldiers that had expired plates, no insurance ext.. that I’ve had to make stop driving until fixed. If any one of them had wanted to get there vehicle towed I would have zero issue with it. I can’t see a good reason why anyone would. It’s a responsible move that causes no harm to anything. In my opinion, you should not run into any issues having it towed.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2019 5:07 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:07:15 -0400

They wont let me tow it home cause they think I will drive it around off post I even offered to leave my keys to my nco but they still said no.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Apr 25 at 2019 5:24 PM

1SG David Niles — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:24:43 -0400

Go get your darn registration put the tabs on and drive it home after letting coc know that your jack up is fixed up troop and drive on

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Apr 25 at 2019 7:29 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:29:35 -0400

I had to ride my bike to Osan in Korea to get it inspected had insurance but that was it. By the way motorcycle insurance in 1993 in Korea $300 bucks force year. My lic plate in Korea.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Apr 25 at 2019 7:43 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:43:05 -0400

What about temp plates just to get it squared away.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 25 at 2019 11:19 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:19:57 -0400

Ok, I get where your 1SG is coming from. I would have probably told you similar. I DON'T understand the BS about "can't even tow the bike". How the blue blazes does Top think you're gonna get the tag corrected given a state inspection is required before a new registration sticker can be issued? My suggestion is to take your PSG to the 1SG office, explain to him/her your proposal to have the vehicle towed/hauled at your expense, offer photo proof of the bike on the trailer, and bring him proof of current registration/inspection at the earliest opportunity. To keep expenses down, I'm sure someone in your Battalion has a motorcycle and has a trailer for it. What type motorcycle do you have? Unless it's a Goldwing Interstate or HD Road King, it should travel nicely on a small utility trailer if properly strapped (I hauled my Shadow Spirit on a 6' utility trailer once). See if someone would be willing to haul it for you if you offer to furnish gas money (and maybe a pizza and/or beer). Your CoC can issue a lawful directive to not operate the vehicle since it has expired tags. They CAN NOT prevent you from moving/towing/hauling/etc your personal private property without just cause. Expired tags doesn't meet the standard (given my personal experiences and time as a police officer). God have mercy on your soul if you ARE caught operating the bike before getting the registration squared away though. SNCO's love it when troops provide the shovel in which to dig their own grave.

As for your CoC being responsible for theft... You should already know the answer to that asinine question.

Assuming the allegation of having the 1SG's vehicle towed because it was illegally parked is true... 1SG got what they deserve. Most installations have designated parking for 1SG, CSM, Commanders, etc. S/he should have made use of the designated spot. It was probably closer to their destination than the motorcycle parking anyway.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Apr 26 at 2019 1:24 AM

SGT Chris Padgett — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:24:28 -0400

Or, and this isn't going to be the popular answer.
You say "yes 1SG" and once he clears the AO you hop on the bike and ride it home.
Get your tags squared away before you drive it again, and keep your trap shut about how you got it home.
Now, let the hate begin.

Another option: In the time it took you to come on Rally Point and gripe, you could have went to the state DMV website and renewed online as well.
Just saying!

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Apr 26 at 2019 10:57 AM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 10:57:36 -0400

I would be willing to bet there is more to this story. Have you done anything that makes your leadership not trust you? Is the repercussion from something else that has happened? If you are lying in the bed that you made you may have to suck it up until trust is reestablished.
Next step is to ask your direct supervisor/team leader what you should do, with a few of the options mentioned in previous threads thrown in as suggestions.. If they cannot answer you move to the next rung up the ladder. You do have some rights, but you are far better off swimming with the tide than against it.

Response by SSG Tom Pike made Apr 26 at 2019 10:02 PM

SSG Tom Pike — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 22:02:55 -0400

Why wouldn't you be able to get it towed or trailer-ed to your home?
You were counciled because your tags are expired and you rode the bike to work, which is illegal. You can't legally ride the bike home, but it is perfectly legal to have it towed or trailered.

Response by SSG Sidney Galloway made Jul 29 at 2021 7:07 PM

SSG Sidney Galloway — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:07:49 -0400

Tow it. Keep the receipt. You're golden.