Motor Vehicles

Individuals must have a valid stateside, or country, driver's license before obtaining a USAREUR driver's license.

Please renew your stateside license prior to your USAREUR tour to ensure your license does not expire while overseas. A USAREUR Certificate of License remains valid even if the stateside license expires.

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term vehicle generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Service Members and their Families will want to understand their state’s laws on registration and licensing before moving to a new state. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services Page for links to state-specific websites.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:15 a.m. - noon and 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Last Customer is at 3:45 p.m.)

Last working day of the month open from 8:45 a.m. - noon.

Please call vehicle registration to arrange an appointment.

Located: Baumholder Clinic Kaserne BLDG 8747

Web: https://www.usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services

Americans stationed in Germany are governed by special international agreements, including the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The SOFA governs the relationship between the U.S. Forces and Germany regarding matters of criminal jurisdiction, taxes, claims, driver's licenses and other civil and legal concerns.

Privately Owned Vehicles 

POV's must meet the minimum standards of exterior condition considered acceptable in the local military or civilian community. License plates must be completely visible, and the rear plate centered under the light. Latching devices, including locks on body doors, must be operational. Body rust and corrosion at locations that would weaken areas protecting the driver or passengers will cause the POV to be rejected. Paintings or markings resembling those normally used on U.S. government-owned vehicles, and markings that might associate a POV with a foreign government, are prohibited.

USAREUR Driver's License

Under the Status of Forces Agreement, all U.S. personnel officially assigned to Germany—including service members, civilian employees, contractors, and their dependents, whether on permanent or temporary duty—must hold a valid stateside driver’s license or a driver’s license from another country accompanied by an English translation. This requirement ensures eligibility to obtain a USAREUR driver’s license and operate privately owned vehicles registered with U.S. Forces in Europe.

The minimum age to operate a privately owned vehicle in Germany is 17. Exceptions to this policy must be formally approved by the USAREUR Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Procedures for Soldiers, Family Members and CAC Holders obtaining a USAREUR Driver's License:

Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) / Driver’s Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany

To operate a privately owned vehicle in Germany under USAREUR regulations, applicants must obtain a US Forces Certificate of License.

Application Process Applicants are required to complete both the orientation briefing and the online test available through Joint Knowledge Online (JKO). A fee of $30 is charged for the issuance of the certificate, payable by check, money order, or credit/debit card.

It is strongly recommended that applicants study the Driver’s Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany before attending the orientation briefing. The online exam consists of 100 questions:

• Questions 1–75 cover general knowledge and driving scenarios (single correct answer).
• Questions 76–100 focus on road signs. A minimum score of 85% is required to pass.

Issuance of License Upon successful completion of all requirements, the driver’s testing examiner will finalize the application, issue a temporary license valid for 60 days, and forward the paperwork with payment to the USAREUR Vehicle Registry for processing. The permanent USAREUR driver’s license will then be issued.

Important Notes

• Personnel arriving without a valid stateside or foreign driver’s license must complete driver’s training on the local economy at their own expense. A German driver’s license typically costs between €2,500 and €3,000.
• The minimum age to operate a POV in Germany is 17 with a valid, unrestricted stateside license. Learner’s permits are not accepted.
• The US Forces Certificate of License is valid only within Germany. To drive outside Germany in a US Forces-registered vehicle, an International Driving Permit is required. This permit can be obtained through German authorities for a fee of approximately €20, depending on the local office. Applications and further instructions are available at the local Driver Testing and Training Station (DTTS).

DRIVERS TESTING:

Location: Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Bldg.3213 , 2nd Floor Rm 207

Phone: CIV: 0611-143-528-2433, DSN: 528-2433/2432/2436

Location: Quartermaster Kaserne, Baumholder, Bldg. 8744, 2nd Floor Rm 4208

Phone: CIV: 0611-143-531-7000, DSN: 531-7000/7071

Driving in Germany:

Safety -- Occasionally, vehicle safety inspection points are set up by the German police (Polizei) and/or Military Police. While driving a USAREUR licensed vehicle, it is mandatory to have a first aid kit, reflective vest for each person in the vehicle, emergency warning triangle, identification card and USAREUR driver's license at all times.

Seatbelts -- Seatbelts for all occupants of a moving vehicle are also mandatory in Germany. Failure to wear seatbelts can result in a fine and/or loss of driving privileges. Also, if you are involved in an accident and are not wearing your seatbelt, insurance companies have the right to refuse to pay for injuries because of negligence.

Child Safety Seats -- All children under 12 years of age under 59 inches tall must ride in the back seat of all cars. The child must be secured with suitable child restraint devices. Children weighing more than 48 pounds will use booster seats or other suitable child restraint devices to ensure that the seatbelt fits properly.

Cell Phones -- Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle at all times.

Speed limits -- Speed limits on the German Autobahn are clearly displayed. Although there are some portions where no limits are posted, 130 kilometers is the recommended upper limit. Drivers involved in accidents when traveling faster than the recommended speed limits may be ticketed.

VEHICLE INSPECTION:

Location: Baumholder, Smith Barracks Bldg. 8421

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 7:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.-3:35 p.m.

Closed on U.S. and German Holidays

Mechanical inspections performed at U.S. Forces inspection facilities may be completed up to 75 calendar days before a registration expires.

Registering Vehicles on the Installation

The following documents are needed to register a vehicle:

POV's shipped from the U.S at government expense

• Shipping documents
• Stateside registration or title
• Double white insurance card
• $45 (1 year registration) or $90 (2 year registration) check, money order, pay with a debit card
• I.D. card
• USAREUR driver's license
• Vehicle registry office will issue you temporary plate (good for 30 days) in order to pick up the vehicle. Inspection can be done on Smith Barracks, Building 8421

Commercially shipped vehicles

• MP Customs form 550-175A
• Stateside registration or title
• Double white insurance card
• $45 (1 year registration) or $90 (2 year registration) check, money order, pay with a debit card
• I.D. card
• USAREUR driver's license
• Vehicle registry office will issue you temporary plate (good for 30 days) in order to pick up the vehicle. Inspection can be done on Smith Barracks, Building 8421

Cars purchased of the local economy

• German Title Book (Fahrzeugbrief)
• Bill of Sale
• $45 (1 year registration) or $90 (2 year registration) check, money order, pay with a debit card
• Double white insurance card
• I.D. card
• USAREUR driver's license
• VAT form if applicable
• The car needs to be deregistered completely out of the German system before we can issue your plates. This procedure is referred to as being "endgueltig abgemeldet".

New American Spec vehicle

• MP Customs form 550-175A
• Purchase order with the correct VIN number
• New vehicles are exempt from having to go through inspection for the first two years.
• $45 (1 year registration) or $90 (2 year registration) check, money order, pay with a debit card
• Double white insurance card
• I.D. card
• USAREUR driver's license

Car purchased from another I.D. card holder

• These vehicles can be either German or American Spec.
• Buyer and seller must both be present in the office
• Valid vehicle registration
• $45 (1 year registration) or $90 (2 year registration) check, money order, pay with a debit card
• Double white insurance card in buyer's name
• I.D. card
• USAREUR driver's license
• Valid inspection
• Lien release from the seller if applicable

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location.

In Germany:

• Persons who have a U.S. Forces Certificate of License or who operate a POV are understood to have given their consent to chemical tests for alcohol or other drugs on their breath, in their blood, or in their urine if lawfully stopped, apprehended, or cited for any offense allegedly committed while operating or otherwise being in physical control of a motor vehicle.
• The traffic point assessment system applies to everyone holding a U.S. Forces Certificate of License who has been found by commanders, supervisors, military courts, or HN civil courts to have committed violations. Points will be assessed for violations committed while operating either military vehicles or POVs. The commander or the supervisor will take action to suspend the U.S. Forces Certificate of License for 180 calendar days when a person reaches the limits.
• Germany has a Good Samaritan Law that, in case of an accident or common danger or distress, requires everyone to render the appropriate aid expected under the circumstances. Failure to render aid may be a criminal offense subject to a fine or imprisonment.

Learn more about motor vehicle laws by contacting the Baumholder Military Police Department CIV: 0611-143-531-2781, DSN 531-2781.