Motor Vehicles

In order to register a vehicle on the installation, you need to have a record established with the Pass and Registration office. To obtain a record, go through the newcomers' briefing (mentioned below) and pass the associated test.  Once this is done, you must attend Pass and Registration office with your valid U.S. driving license.  This will allow a base driving permit / fuel card to be issued.

It is mandatory that you attend the RAF Mildenhall Driving Briefing within 14 days from your arrival in the U.K. The briefing is held as part of the base newcomer briefings arranged through the Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC). Members and any dependents that will be driving here, must complete the briefing, pass the 50 question online test and obtain their USAFE Form 435 (driving permit). To help prepare for the test, you must be familiar with the official Highway Code on the UK government website, especially the traffic signs. Highway Code books may be available for loan out at the M&FRC, and a driving safety video is available through the USAF Connect App.

The United Kingdom (U.K.) laws are very specific when it comes to motor vehicle requirements, including insurance, licensing and registration. Service members and their families will want to understand the laws before moving to the U.K. Visit the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency website for links to specific information, and  RAF Mildenhall Welcome site - driving overseas for more details.

You will need a valid stateside driver's license to drive in the U.K. If your license has expired, then you will always need to carry your state military clause with you.  If your state does not have a military clause, and you have an expired license, you will not be able to drive in the U.K.

CONUS and OCONUS laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws will vary by location. Many states and overseas areas regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more through the UK government website at  UK driving laws - Highway Code.

Under UK law, the windshields of vehicles first used prior to 1 Apr 85 must allow at least 70% of visual light to pass through the glass.  Vehicles newer than 1 April 85 must have windshields that allow 75% of visual light to pass through the glass and front side windows that allow 70% of visual light to pass through the glass.  The rear windows of vehicles can be heavily tinted as long as the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors.  The rules limiting tinted vehicle glass were implemented for two important reasons: first, to increase road safety by improving driver visibility, and second, to protect Police Officers by giving them increased visibility into vehicles.  Whilst permanently tinted glass may improve the visibility of drivers in bright conditions it will restrict visibility in dark conditions which may prevent drivers from seeing other motorists or pedestrians. Also when vehicles are emerging from junctions, approaching drivers will look for confirmation that the drivers of the emerging vehicles have noticed their approach. Excessively tinted glass can prevent eye contact being established. It's illegal to fit or sell glass (or have a vehicle already fitted with glass) that breaks the rules on tinted windows. The police or VOSA vehicle examiners use light measuring equipment to measure window tint. If your windscreen or front side windows are tinted too much you could get a ‘prohibition notice' stopping you using your vehicle on the road until you have the extra tint removed, and/or a penalty notice or court summons. Tinted windows are not part of the MOT test.

Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide, as well as throughout the U.K. Fines for not using a Hands-free device are upwards of £200 and six points on your license.

Car insurance is very expensive in Great Britain, especially if you are under age 25. If you do not have any vehicle violations or accidents on your license while in the United States, then have your insurance company in the US write a letter stating such and you will be eligible for a considerable (up to 60%) discount on your insurance.  All civilians, Active Duty, and their dependents must acquire U.K. insurance to operate a motor vehicle in the U.K.  There is a local Geico office located on RAF Lakenheath and also a local USAA insurance branch located in London. The contact number for the USAA International Auto Insurance is (Toll Free) 800-531-8722/0800 289 192 (local). Geico overseas insurance can be reached at (Toll-Free) 800-248-4998/01638 533400.

You must show the U.S. port or vehicle processing center your Title (if you own your car), vehicle registration, or a letter from the Lien Holder (Bank Credit Union, etc) authorizing you to ship the POV Overseas. If you don't have one of those documents, the port or vehicle processing center will not accept your car for shipment overseas.

Please take the following documents when picking up your POV: (Customs Forms should be delivered to the Port no less than 24hrs prior to pick-up.)

Valid ID card 

• 1. Stamped 941 Forms
• 2. Vehicle Inspection Form
• 3. PCS orders
• 4. Dependents can only pick up POV for the sponsor if they are noted on the Original Inspection form or have SPOA. **Note, dependents are not authorized to sign the 941 Customs forms needed to pick up your vehicle. Please contact Pass & Registration if you have any questions.**

Please note any damages to your POV while still at the port, on form DD788 during inspection and take to the legal office-claims section. All inquiries on inbound POV's should be routed through TMO Inbound Section.

If you are impacted by a missed delivery date or experienced damage to your vehicle, please contact  International Auto Logistics (IAL).

If you require a rental vehicle due to a missed delivery date, members may make a request for a direct bill rental vehicle arranged by IAL to be considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on the individual need of the service member.  Requests for direct bill rental cars should include the entitled member's first and last name, shipping instruction number, and the zip code where the rental car is being requested for pick up.

International Auto Logistics

 claims@ialpov.us

855-389-9499, option 3

Claims Control Department

International Auto Logistics, LLC

1 Joe Frank Harris Blvd

Brunswick, GA 31523

Requests for Inconvenience Claims should be sent to IAL at claims@ialpov.us 

If you have any questions or concerns, you can also contact:

Mildenhall SDDC Office Contract Office Responsibility

DSN: 314-238-2263

Local: 011-44-1638-54-2263

If you are a motorcyclist or think you might be interested in motorcycling while stationed in Europe, there are a few things you should know first before making any riding plans or financial obligations. You must complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) approved safety course in order to get the required motorcycle endorsement on your 3AF driver's license before you can ride your motorcycle in Europe. Furthermore, motorcycle riders need to be registered in the Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool (MUSTT), this can be accomplished with your unit's Motorcycle Safety Representative (MSR).

Refer to DAFI 91-207 and Mildenhall Instruction 31-218, and contact the UK Motorcycle Safety Program Manager at DSN 314-226-RIDE for more details. 

Intermediate training is required 60-365 days after completing initial training. 

A refresher MSF course is required at least every five years if the member has completed intermediate training. 

For members of 352 SOW, the MSF course is required every 3 years.

The frequency and availability of student slots are limited. You are highly encouraged to attend one of the MSF safety courses offered at your stateside location prior to PCSing here to avoid any unnecessary delays in licensing.

Members are also required to have a motorcycle endorsement on their current driver's license.  If you do not have the endorsement you will not be allowed to operate a motorcycle in the U.K.  Many states allow adding the endorsement via mail however you will have to contact your state's motor vehicle department for more information.

Enforcement of Motorcycle Operating Requirements -- To reduce motorcycle related casualties, United States Air Force (USAF) implemented motorcycle training standards. However, realizing the full benefit of these and existing safety standards requires a concerted effort by all RAF Mildenhall personnel. Commanders, at RAF Mildenhall have implemented a three-phased plan that consists of Education, Enforcement and Engagement.

All military personnel who operate a motorcycle on or off base are required to adhere to the following criteria:

* Regardless of country assigned, all personnel who operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle must wear a protective helmet which, at a minimum, meets certification requirements of UNECE Standard 22.05 or British Standard 6658.  Department of Transportation (DOT), SNELL, and ANSI helmets do not meet host nation requirements.

* Eye Protection. Goggles, wrap around glasses, or a full-face shield (properly attached to helmet) designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z87.1 for impact and shatter resistance will be worn.  Host nation equivalent is acceptable if it meets or exceeds ANSI Standard Z87.1 for impact and shatter resistance.

* Protective Clothing. Wear of long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full-fingered gloves are required. Gloves should be sturdy, non-slip type to permit a firm grip on the controls. Wear of a motorcycle jacket and pants constructed of abrasion resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar®, and/or Cordura® containing impact absorbing padding are strongly encouraged.

* Foot Protection. Riders will wear sturdy over the ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles (durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles may be worn).

* Garment and Motorcycle Visibility. Motorcycle riders should wear a brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night.

Contact the 100 ARW Safety office for any further information at DSN 314-238-2255, or commercial 011-44-1638-54-2255.

If you have purchased a vehicle that is still under warranty, confirm if your vehicle's warranty is voided when traveling OCONUS with your dealer.  All vehicles require insurance regardless of warranty status.

Ministry on Transport (MOT) Inspection

The Ministry of Transport requires all imported vehicles that are less than three years old to be inspected before registration and vehicles over three years of age must be inspected yearly, this is called a Ministry of Transport (MOT) Certificate.

The MOT is a bumper to bumper safety test. It is very involved and complex and is not an easy test to pass. The MOT test itself takes about 45 minutes and the cost is approximately £55 or its dollar equivalent at the current exchange rate. The MOT applies to all vehicles 3 years or older. The MOT certificate is good for 12 months and then must be retested.  You must have a valid MOT test certificate in order to drive on British roads. You may incur additional costs if the vehicle does not meet or pass MOT requirements and requires maintenance or repairs. 

Requirements for the MOT testing include

• All vehicles built after 1 April 1981 must have a fog light, mounted at the rear of the vehicle, centered to the right hand side of the vehicle. Also, the light control switch must light up when the fog light is on and must be seen from the driver's seat.
• Parking lights must be white, not amber.
• The headlights in the U.K. are angled differently than in the States because of driving on the other side of the road. It is suggested that the re-aiming of your lights be done when you arrive in the U.K.
• All vehicles built after 1 April 1986 must have a side repeater. A side repeater is a separate turn signal in the fender that can be seen from the driver side door. In most cases this means drilling holes in the fender of approximately 3/4 inch. Wraparound lights may substitute for the side repeater in some models.
• All rear turn signals must flash amber, and must not adversely affect any other light (brake light, parking light).
• Very few American vehicles meet the standards for light requirements in the U.K. The price for a light conversion can be very high depending on the vehicle.
• Classic vehicles do not need an MOT if they are 40 years or older, and are Road Tax exempt.

What should the guidelines be when deciding whether or not to bring an older vehicle to the UK?

The general rule is if you don't think your car will pass this test, it might be a good idea to consider the cost and length of time it would take to get the parts to repair it (generally from the States). A good rule of thumb is any car 10 years or older, unless a classic, would be best left in the States.  Having the vehicle inspected prior to shipping is recommended to avoid any unnecessary fees.

Vehicle Ownership and Concession Vehicles

Any motorized vehicle being imported into the United Kingdom, including motorcycles shipped in household goods, are considered to be Custom Concession (tax free) vehicles. Customs Concession vehicles are any vehicles imported or purchased free of VAT (value added tax, car tax, and duty/excise tax), which include vehicles purchased from AAFES car sales or any military tax free dealerships.

Any car imported into the U.K. by a member without paying import and value added tax is known as a customs concession vehicle.  It can be imported from the U.S. or another country.  If the taxes aren't paid, it's a customs concession vehicle.

1. The rules governing concession vehicles are made via His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Anything to do with a concession vehicle must go through HRMC via the Pass and Registration office.  This includes importing, exporting, selling or scrapping, etc.
2. To sell a concession vehicle to another member, the buyer must have below their tax-free allocation limit for it to proceed.  If this is the case, both the seller and the buyer must visit the seller's Pass and Registration office together to make the transfer.
3. A concession vehicle cannot be sold to a British national without the relevant taxes being paid to the U.K. Customs BEFORE the sale takes place. To receive the assessment of the amount to be paid, the member needs to visit Pass and Registration office, who will start the process on the member's behalf.
4. If the vehicle is involved in a collision and deemed by its insurance company as a total loss, to remove the vehicle from the members record, Pass and Registration office require notice from the insurance company that they will, as well as the vehicle payout, pay all necessary taxes in relation to the vehicle.  The details from the insurance company will be sent to HMRC, and when they have received the funds it can be cleared from the member's record.

Only active duty military members and DOD civilian components are authorized to own a concession vehicle and there's a limit on how many concession vehicles a person may own. Single, unaccompanied personnel without dependent spouse are authorized to own and operate one concession vehicle.  Personnel who are married and accompanied by their dependent spouse, irrespective of command sponsorship may own and operate two concession vehicles. (The government will only pay to ship one vehicle.) Dependents are not entitled to concession vehicles and are therefore not authorized to be issued or sign for 941 customs forms to pick up your vehicle from the port, purchase a used tax free vehicle from a military member here or buy a brand new vehicle from AAFES unless they are in a situation of extreme hardship. Any hardship request must go through the legal office prior to being granted. Any member shipping that ships over more than their given amount of Concessions Vehicles must contact the Pass & Registration Office as soon as possible to pay for the Transfer of Residence fee.

You will receive 5 pink copies of Customs and Excise Form 941 from Pass and Registration and your vehicle will be cleared into the U.K. by HMRC. Once the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) (shipping unit) receives 2 customs forms, your vehicle will be released.

Road Tax

Road tax is a yearly tax paid to the U.K. government on motor vehicles using public roads. When you buy a vehicle, the vehicle tax will not be transferred with the vehicle. You will need to get a new vehicle road tax before you can use the vehicle. You can tax the vehicle using the New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) part of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) online, by using the automated phone service - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visiting a Post Office branch.

Imported vehicles are exempt from Road Tax for one year upon arrival to the U.K. After the 1 year, please bring the following documents to RAFM Pass and Registration to pay it.

1. Cashier’s check made out to “DVLA” in the amount requested (research current Road Tax Prices)
2. V5C
3. Valid MOT
4. Proof of Insurance

If you bring a vehicle with you to the U.K. and do not plan on driving it for an extended period of time, you can make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if you don't use or keep your vehicle on a public road (eg you keep it in a garage, on a drive or on private land). You don't have to pay road tax. To apply for a SORN you can do so by applying online, by phone, or post.