Motor Vehicles

Vehicle Registration Requirements

Proof of Insurance: All vehicles require proof of insurance before they can be registered with the USARUER RMV.

Vehicle Registration: To register your vehicle, you will need to provide proof of ownership (i.e., title or previous registration), orders, USAREUR Driver's License, CAC card, proof of vehicle inspection and the shipping document you received from the shipping VPC. Based on the year of your vehicle, you can register for up to three years at $45 per year. However, a three-year registration is only for brand new vehicles purchased in Germany.

The vehicle registration office is by appointment only.

For more information such as shipping your POV, vehicle safety/inspections, and/or to make an appointment, visit the Vehicle Registration website.

Driver's Licensing Requirements

You must obtain a USAREUR Driver's License to drive and register vehicles in Germany. To obtain a USAREUR Driver's License, you must arrive with a current stateside driver's license in hand.

Minimum Age Requirements: 18 years (17 years with an exception to policy)

Study Material: You can find the USAREUR guide and practice exam on JKO by searching “USA-007 - U.S. Forces Driver's Training Program for Europe” (If you are a spouse/dependent, please use the Non-government Personnel/Sponsored Account Registration).

Online Test: Complete the Final Course Exam on JKO. Once you pass the exam, bring a printed copy of the test results/certificate to your Vehicle Licensing Appointment to receive your USAREUR License (certificate is valid for 60 days).

The vehicle registration office is by appointment only. For more information and to make an appointment, visit the Vehicle Registration website.

Note: The same requirement applies to all individuals (active duty and civilian) coming to Spangdahlem who wish to obtain a motorcycle license. You must arrive at Spangdahlem with a current stateside motorcycle license and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) card valid in the last 3 years, in hand.

International Driver's License

Once you receive your USAREUR Driver's License card, you will need to apply for the German International Driver’s License/Permit (IDL/P). Because you are considered a resident of Germany, EU requires that you obtain an EU IDL/P. You will not be able to use a AAA International License here.

Note: visiting family or friends need to obtain a AAA International License if they plan on driving while visiting. If you have a previously issued USAREUR license, it may still be valid, please contact our office for more information.

All information for vehicle registration can be foundhere.

Important road rules for driving in Germany:

• All passengers must wear their seat belts. Children under the age of 12 must sit in a child seat (“Kindersitz”) unless they are taller than 1.5 m.
• The speed limit within town and city boundaries is 50 km/h. Many residential areas and areas near schools and Kindergärten have a speed limit of 30 km/h (“verkehrsberuhigte Zonen”). Cars are only allowed to drive at walking pace in especially signposted play streets (“Spielstraßen”). Outside city limits, on “country roads”, the limit is usually 70 km/h. If there are no signs restricting speed on motorways then drivers are advised to drive at the “recommended speed” of 120 km/h.
• People who do not abide by the highway code will often be fined and even lose their license. Serious breaches of traffic rules are punished on a points system. These points are registered centrally in a database (called the “Flensburger Verkehrssünder-Datei”) in the northern Germany city of Flensburg. As soon as a specific number of points has been accumulated, the offender has their license withdrawn and is forbidden from driving for a period of time.
• In Germany the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mil. One beer or a glass of wine is enough to reach this limit. It is recommended to not get behind the wheel if you have had anything to drink.
• If someone is involved in an accident or is the first person on the scene of an accident, first aid (“Erste Hilfe”) must be given. This person must also call the police and/or an ambulance.
• All accidents must be reported to Security Forces.