Transmembrane transporter that imports choline from the extracellular space to the neuron with high affinity. Choline uptake is the rate-limiting step in acetylcholine synthesis. Sodium ion- and chloride ion-dependent. Homooligomerizes at cell surface (By similarity). Interacts with SEC14L1; may regulate SLC5A7 (PubMed:17092608). Localized at the neuromuscular junction. Expressed in basal forebrain, brain stem, spinal chord, and striatum. Specific for cholinergic neurons. Phosphorylated. Specifically inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of hemicholinium 3. Belongs to the sodium:solute symporter (SSF) (TC 2.A.21) family.