Motor Vehicles

Driver's License

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) requires all U.S. personnel officially assigned to Germany (uniformed personnel, civilians, contractors, and their dependents), permanent or temporary, to have a valid stateside license, or a German driver’s license, or a European driver’s license or any other country driver’s license (English translated) in order to be eligible for licensing and operating privately owned vehicles registered with US Forces in Europe. The minimum age for operation of a POV in Germany is 17.

In order to obtain a US Forces Certificate of License, you have to options: take an Orientation Briefing and online test on Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) or attend an Orientation Briefing and take a written test with DTTS instructor. There is a thirty dollar charge for the issuing of a US Forces Certificate of License. You may pay by check or money order or credit/debit card. You will need to study the Drivers Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany prior to attending the orientation briefing. The final test, whether online or written, has 100 questions and you have to achieve at least 85% in order to pass. Questions 1 to 75 are general knowledge and scenario-based; only one answer is correct; questions 76 to 100 are road signs.

The US Forces Certificate of License is only valid in Germany. If you travel outside Germany a US Forces registered vehicle you need to have an International Driving Permit issued either by AAA or German Authorities. Applications and additional instructions can be obtained at the local DTTS office.

For contact details and operating hours, please follow the link: Drivers Training and Testing Station Kaiserslautern

Vehicle Registration

All Personal Assigned to the Kaiserslautern Military Community with a POV must register their vehicle at the Kapaun Vehicle Registration.

Kapaun Vehicle Registration, Building 2806 Kapaun Air Station

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday – Friday, Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Federal Holidays/Observances, all USAFE and 86 AW down days and the last duty day of each month.

Kapaun Vehicle Substation, Building 2807 Kapaun Air Station

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.- 3 p.m. Monday – Friday, Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Federal Holidays/Observances, all USAFE and 86 AW down days and the last duty day of each month.

Ramstein Vehicle Substation, KMCC 2nd Floor Ramstein Air Base

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday or last duty day of the week, Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Federal Holidays/Observances, all USAFE and 86 AW down days and the last duty day of each month.

Organization Email Box: 569usfps.s5bv.vehicleregistration@us.af.mil

There are many different scenarios that can change the requirements of required documentation to register your POV. For the most up to date information please contact the above office via the org box or visit their website, https://www.ramstein.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/303632/vehicle-registration/

General Requirements for persons that ship their POV to Germany:

• Orders to Germany / Proof of logistical support
• ID Card
• USAREUR Driver’s License
• SOFA Card and passport (Contractor ONLY)
• Card, Check or Money order for processing fee
• Insurance Cards (Please call your car insurance company and request a "BLANK Insurance confirmation card". Certain insurance companies can transmit this electronically into the USAREUR-AF database, it can take up to 24 hours to populate. If you have a local German insurance, you MUST have the German Deckungskarte in your possession)
• Customs AE Fm 550 (if shipping on personal expense)
• Shipping Documents, Bill of Lading or Household Goods Inventory Listing with the VIN
• Proof of ownership: Title or former Registration

Buying a used vehicle from a local national or dealership:

• Orders to Germany / Proof of logistical support
• ID Card
• USAREUR Driver’s License
• SOFA Card and Passport (Contractor ONLY)
• Card, Check or Money order for processing fee
• Insurance Cards (Please call your car insurance company and request a "BLANK Insurance confirmation card". Certain insurance companies can transmit this electronically into the USAREUR-AF database, it can take up to 24 hours to populate. If you have a local German insurance, you MUST have the German Deckungskarte in your possession)
• Customs AE Fm 550 (with US and German stamp)
• Previous registration or title
• Bill of sale
• Passed TUV within 30 days (You will receive permanent plates--if you don’t receive a passed inspection form you will get temp plates to pick up the vehicle and then will need to get an inspection)

Buying a new vehicle from a dealership:

• Orders to Germany / Proof of logistical support
• ID Card
• USAREUR Driver’s License
• SOFA Card and Passport (Contractor ONLY)
• Card, Check or Money order for processing fee
• Insurance Cards (Please call your car insurance company and request a "BLANK Insurance confirmation card". Certain insurance companies can transmit this electronically into the USAREUR-AF database, it can take up to 24 hours to populate. If you have a local German insurance, you MUST have the German Deckungskarte in your possession)
• Customs AE Fm 550 with at least US stamp
• Bill of sale or purchase agreement

Please note with a new vehicle, you will have the option for up to a three year registration. You will not need an inspection and will get permanent plates. Your vehicle will be put on suspense, and you will have sixty days to send the final bill of sale, customs form 550 (with US and German stamp) and the manufacturer certificate of origin.

For buying/Transferring from a DOD ID card holder, you will need:

• Items required for the buyer:
• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Orders or proof of logical support
• Insurance Cards (Please call your car insurance company and request a "BLANK Insurance confirmation card". Certain insurance companies can transmit this electronically into the USAREUR-AF database, it can take up to 24 hours to populate. If you have a local German insurance, you MUST have the German Deckungskarte in your possession)
• Card, check or money order to pay for transactions fees

Items required for the seller:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Current registration with at least 60 valid days left
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle)
• If there is a Joint-Owner or Co-Owner, they are required to be present at the time of the transaction or you need a POA.

These temporary plates allow you to drive your vehicle from the port of entry to your local registration office in the continental United States. All vehicles being shipped must have a current and valid operational registration to qualify for shipping plates/registration. A transaction fee may be required.

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Bill of lading (shipping documents)
• Current registration and plates
• If you have less than 90 valid days on your registration the plates will be $45

For selling a vehicle, here are two types of transactions. Selling to a Local National or Dealership and selling to another DOD ID card holder.

For selling to a local national or dealership you will need the following:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Bill of sale (with both owner and any joint-owner’s signatures)
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle) or Permission to Sell
• Customs Form 550 (with both US and German stamp)
• Current plates and registration

For Transferring to another DOD ID card holder, you will need the following:

Items required for the buyer:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Orders or proof of logical support
• Coordinate with your insurance company to send a blank insurance card to Sembach (this can take up to 24 hours)
• Card, check or money order to pay for transactions fees

Items required for the seller:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Current registration with at least 60 valid days left
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle)
• If there is a Joint-Owner or Co-Owner, they are required to be present at the time of the transaction or you need a POA.

For junking a vehicle, you will need the following:

• Current plates and registration
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle)
• Junk receipt
• Customs for 550 (if junked with MWR, you do not need customs)

Driving in Germany

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 will be ticketed.

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, emergency warning triangle, reflective vest, identification card and USAREUR Driver's License at all times. 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. 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 your negligence.

Children under 12 years must ride in the back seat(s) and children under five feet must be in child seats approved by the US (USAREUR licensed vehicles only) or German Government.

Unless otherwise posted, drivers on the right have the right-of-way at intersections. Failure to understand German right-of-way regulations, following too closely and driving too quickly for road and weather conditions are common causes of auto accidents.

Traffic accidents that occur on post are investigated by Military Police. Accidents that occur off post are investigated by the German Polizei.

Driver's License

Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) requires all U.S. personnel officially assigned to Germany (uniformed personnel, civilians, contractors, and their dependents), permanent or temporary, to have a valid stateside license, or a German driver’s license, or a European driver’s license or any other country driver’s license (English translated) in order to be eligible for licensing and operating privately owned vehicles registered with US Forces in Europe. The minimum age for operation of a POV in Germany is 17.

In order to obtain a US Forces Certificate of License, you have to options: take an Orientation Briefing and online test on Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) or attend an Orientation Briefing and take a written test with DTTS instructor. There is a thirty dollar charge for the issuing of a US Forces Certificate of License. You may pay by check or money order or credit/debit card. You will need to study the Drivers Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany prior to attending the orientation briefing. The final test, whether online or written, has 100 questions and you have to achieve at least 85% in order to pass. Questions 1 to 75 are general knowledge and scenario-based; only one answer is correct; questions 76 to 100 are road signs.

The US Forces Certificate of License is only valid in Germany. If you travel outside Germany a US Forces registered vehicle you need to have an International Driving Permit issued either by AAA or German Authorities. Applications and additional instructions can be obtained at the local DTTS office.

For contact details and operating hours, please follow the link: Drivers Training and Testing Station Kaiserslautern

De-Registration consists of shipping, selling or junking your vehicle.

For shipping a vehicle, you will need the following:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Bill of lading (shipping documents)
• Current registration and plates
• If you have less than 90 valid days on your registration the plates will be $45

For selling a vehicle, here are two types of transactions. Selling to a Local National or Dealership and selling to another DOD ID card holder.

For selling to a local national or dealership you will need the following:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Bill of sale (with both owner and any joint-owner’s signatures)
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle) or Permission to Sell
• Customs Form 550 (with both US and German stamp)
• Current plates and registration

For Transferring to another DOD ID card holder, you will need the following:

• Items required for the buyer:
• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Orders or proof of logical support
• Coordinate with your insurance company to send a blank insurance card to Sembach (this can take up to 24 hours)
• Card, check or money order to pay for transactions fees

Items required for the seller:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Current registration with at least 60 valid days left
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle)
• If there is a Joint-Owner or Co-Owner, they are required to be present at the time of the transaction or you need a POA.

For junking a vehicle, you will need the following:

• Current plates and registration
• Lien release (if there is a lien on the vehicle)
• Junk receipt
• Customs for 550 (if junked with MWR, you do not need customs)

Outbound personnel will need to de-register their vehicles.

De-Registration consists of shipping, selling or junking your vehicle.

For shipping a vehicle, you will need the following:

• USAREUR Driver’s License and CAC
• Bill of lading (shipping documents)
• Current registration and plates
• If you have less than 90 valid days on your registration the plates will be $45

German state and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Some common topics that are regulated are the following:

• Seatbelt Use
• Child Safety Seats
• Speed
• Accidents
• Right of Way
• Motorcycle Operations
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Visit the Driver's Handbook and Examination Manual for Germany for further information.