Help guests “drive on”

***image1***U.S. forces personnel in Germany who are planning trips for visiting friends or family members this summer can let their guests share the driving, but customs officials say they must approve visiting drivers before guests can take U.S. Army Europe-plated cars on their own excursions.

“Just go to your local military customs office and fill out the application form,” said Bill Johnson, director, USAREUR Customs Executive Agency. “If you want to complete the paperwork before your relatives or friends arrive, you must bring along clear copies of their passports and stateside or international driver’s licenses.” 

One key provision is that guests cannot be residents in Germany. It is also important to make sure that your automobile insurance covers your visitors.

Guests can use this exception to policy to drive USAREUR-registered privately owned vehicles in Germany for up to 90 days after arrival in Europe, officials said. Visiting drivers must have the exception document, their passports and international driver’s licenses (or an official translations of their licenses), the vehicle registration and proof of insurance in the car when they drive.

“Driving in Germany is tax- and duty-free for U.S. forces personnel and their dependents only,” Mr. Johnson explained, which is why the customs authorization is required. 

He also warned that the approval allowing guests to drive does not permit them to use Army and Air Force Exchange Service fuel cards or gas coupons, or buy gas at AAFES stations. This is also true for visitors to Germany who rent cars.

For more information on guest drivers in Germany and other European countries, as well as customs office locations, visit the customs Web site at www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/custom3.htm, or call the customs hot line at 381-7610 or 0621-7307610.