Can you have a car at the Naval Academy?

Just curious if cadets at the Naval Academy are allowed to have their own vehicles. Could this make getting around easier, or are there rules that keep cadets on campus most of the time?

Yes, midshipmen at the Naval Academy are allowed to have cars, but there are certain restrictions. Third Class midshipmen and plebes are not permitted to operate motor vehicles except when authorized leave, such as during Christmas vacation. Second-class midshipmen may have a car but must maintain and operate it beyond Academy grounds. First Class midshipmen may drive a car in Annapolis and at the Naval Academy. No midshipman is allowed to maintain or operate a motorcycle.

Underclassmen do not have the privilege to own cars and must rely on the Academy's transportation, public transit, or their own two feet for getting around. This policy encourages a close-knit community and keeps the emphasis on academic and military training.

However, midshipmen's schedules are typically very busy, with plenty of on-campus responsibilities and commitments, so a car may not be as useful as one might think. Keep in mind also that Annapolis is a fairly small and manageable city. Nonetheless, owning a car could definitely facilitate travel during leave periods or on special occasions.

This is a universal policy across all U.S. service academies, keeping focus on their main purpose: to foster leadership and professional development in a communal context.