One big plus of being in Germany is that friends and relatives can visit and get that real European travel experience. But you must get approval from customs first if you want to let your visitors drive your USAREUR-plated vehicle in Germany independently. You do not need the approval if you will be traveling in the car whenever they drive.

Just go to your local military customs office and fill out an application form (the "Request for Exception to Policy to Operate a Privately Owned Vehicle/Berechtigungsausweis" AE Form 550-175C-R is downloadable here). You will need your visitors' passport numbers, so get them early," he added. Also, if your relatives or friends are not available to fill out the forms in person, you must have a clear fax copy of the passport and stateside or international driver's license.
Another condition for applying is that your guests cannot be residents of Germany.

Once approved, your guests can use this exception to policy to drive a USAREUR-plated POV in Germany for up to 90 days from their arrival date in Europe. The authority document must be in the car when your guests are driving along with the vehicle registration, proof of insurance and their international driver's license or an official translation of their stateside license. The authorization is only valid inside Germany, so if you intend to drive elsewhere, contact your local vehicle registration office.

Driving in Germany is tax and duty-free for USAREUR Soldiers, USAFE personnel, civilians and dependents (R&R soldiers - whether USAREUR assigned or not - are also authorized to buy tax-free gasoline). Your guests are not normally allowed this exemption, which is why the customs authorization is necessary. However, it does not allow them to buy tax-free gasoline, whether via fuel coupons or at AAFES gas stations.

Applications for the following visitors can be accepted and approved at any military customs office:

Daughter	Stepfather	Sister
Son	Stepmother	Brother
Father	Father-in-law	Stepsister
Mother	Mother-in-law	Stepbrother
Adopted children	Sister-in-law	Brother-in-law

Grandfather	Uncle	Fiancé
Grandmother	Aunt	Cousin
Granddaughter	Nephew	Niece
Grandson	Friend

 

A list of customs customer service offices at Army and Air Force communities in Germany is available by clicking the icon on the right.

 

Visitors who request to extend this privilege past 90 days require an exception to policy coordinated with the German Federal Finance Ministry Call DSN 381-8141/7354 or civilian 0621-730-8141/7354 for more information, FAX DSN 381-7324 (civilian 0621-730-7324).

Forms sent through the German postal system with a self-addressed stamped envelope will be sent back through the German postal system. This is the fastest way to get the forms back by mail. However, you must use correct postage and remember U.S. size 10 envelopes require more postage. Mail addresses are as follows:

The document is valid only when the identified operator has proper insurance through the vehicle owner's insurance company and a valid international or other driver's license, which if issued in a country other than Germany must be accompanied by an official German translation that may be obtained at a German Automobile Club (ADAC). The AE Form 550-175D-R will be surrendered upon the request of U.S. or other law enforcement officials. It is valid for the period stated on the front of the form.

People authorized to operate a USAREUR-plated vehicle should not encounter problems when driving in other European countries if they keep the following documents with them.

· A valid passport.
· Valid insurance covering the vehicle for use outside Germany (green insurance card).
· Valid driver's license with translation, or a valid international driver's license (issued outside the country of intended use).
· Valid registration for the vehicle.
· Written permission from the vehicle owner authorizing the visitor to operate the vehicle (must be made out also in the languages of the countries to be visited).

Visiting spouses are an exception to the procedures outlined above as they have tax privileges by being the spouse or dependent of a SOFA status/U.S. ID card holder, whether they reside in Germany or not and whether they are command sponsored or not. Customer service representatives will issue AE Form 190-1AQ-R to visiting spouses and will advise them to keep this document in their possession when driving a USAREUR-registered vehicle. The term "visiting spouse" refers to a non-command sponsored husband or wife temporarily in Germany for less than 90 days. AE Form 190-1AP-R will be used to apply for AE Form 190-1AQ-R. Stocks of AE Form 190-1AQ-R and AE Form 190-1AP-R will be obtained directly from the Customs Executive Agency.

Insure you read and understand the "Data Required by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a) printed on the top of the form. The AE Form 550-175C-R (click here to download) is submitted as one original for each person who is to operate the USAREUR registered vehicle. Xerox copies of this form may be accepted but all signatures must be original.

BLOCK A: Name of sponsor/rank/grade/SSN/organization/APO: Enter the sponsor's first name, middle initial, and last name, military rank or equivalent civilian rank, social security number, complete organization and APO. Include the PO Box if it is required in the mailing address.

BLOCK B: Name of nondependent relative/non-resident/passport number/temporary residence in Germany/family relationship to the applicant: Enter the first name, middle initial, last name, passport number and CIVILIAN address in Germany where the visitor will stay. Enter the relationship to the applicant.

BLOCK C: Period of time for which authority is requested: Enter the dates you want the visitor to be able to operate your vehicle. This period may not exceed 90 days from the visitor's arrival date in Europe. E.g. if your visitor arrived in Berlin on April 1, stayed there for a month before coming to visit you, the authority could only be granted for 60 days at most (i.e. until June 29 which is 90 days after the visitor arrived in Europe).

BLOCK D: Certification: Enter the relationship of the visitor to the applicant.

BLOCK E: USAREUR license plate number of POV(s) concerned: Enter the license numbers of the USAREUR plated vehicles that the visitor will be operating. The vehicles must be registered to the sponsor.

BLOCK F: Certification/signature of sponsor/telephone number: Read the certification, place your payroll signature in the block provided and place your complete military telephone number in the appropriate box. If you do not have a military phone number, list a civilian number where you can be contacted.

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