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Recent deviations from GOV and POV licensing procedures have led to one confirmed vehicle accident and other safety incidents in the KMC.
Driver’s licensing Airmen from the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron are now watching units much closer and strictly enforcing operating instructions requiring all potential licensee’s to have appropriate documentation and watch the 35-minute video, “Driving in Germany.”
“Established controls within squadrons are necessary to properly ensure criteria for licensing is met,” said Lt. Col. Richard Peterson, 435th VRS commander. “We’ve seen blanket 30-day drivers exemptions granted through sponsor packages and witnessed approval authority delegated down to the section commander and even operations officers to approve the exemptions. These procedures are not appropriate.”
Proper procedures for issuing driver’s licenses vary depending on the situation. Individuals requesting a U.S. Army Europe license must fill out an application (AE Form 190-1T), and are required to have a valid stateside driver’s license, military ID card and a copy of military orders showing they are permanently stationed or TDY to Germany for more than 60 days.
A GOV license is issued once the requesting personnel have the AF Form 171 signed by their vehicle control officer.
Personnel who are TDY here and requesting a permit to drive must show their military ID card, a copy of their TDY orders, their valid stateside driver’s license and either their home station AF 2293 – U.S. Air Force Motor Vehicle Operator ID card, or the AF Form 171 – Request for Driver’s Training and Addition to U.S. Government Driver’s License. This must be signed by the host unit VCO. In addition, AFI 24-301 must be verbally briefed to the requester.
The TDY permit authorizes the driver to operate Government-owned or leased vehicles only. TDY personnel are not authorized to operate USAREUR-plated vehicles.
Thirty-day driving exemptions and temporary U.S. Forces certificates of licensing (AE Form 190-1G or temporary driver’s license) have additional requirements.
Squadron commanders under U.S. Air Forces in Europe have been granted approval to issue an exemption letter to newly-arrived service members and eligible family members. According to the 435th VRS operating instruction 24-201, if a justifiable need arises, this authorization will allow members to obtain a 30-day temporary driver’s license from the base driver testing office in order to ease the tasks of in-processing and house hunting. Unit commanders may not delegate this authority to a lower level and may only approve their assigned personnel.
Individuals must still meet the requirements of USAFEI 31-202 paragraph 2-1b and must attend Safety Course II (local orientation) to be eligible for the 30-day exemption. Also, once all licensing requirements are met – and before the 30-day temporary license is issued – a test date will be scheduled within the 30-day period of the license.
