Row of cars ()
To register your vehicle with U.S. forces in Europe, cars more than 10 years old need inspections before the sale is finalized. A car less than 10 years old must have at least 60 days left on the registration at the time of sale to retain the current inspection expiration date.
If you want to purchase a new car while in Germany, buy from a dealer participating in the Military Car Sales program. Available benefits may include tax-free transactions, worldwide shipping, U.S. specifications and prices lower than U.S. MSRP rates. You’ll need the documents listed above, minus the U.S. title and will have 60 days to provide additional documentation, such as the German Title Book and customs form.
TIPS FOR BUYING USED VEHICLES
• Ask owner to complete inspection before deregistration.
• Have owner keep insurance until registration is transferred.
• Get proof of exhaust emission testing (if car has not been inspected), service and vehicle defect record, and inspection-pass guarantee (dealer).
• A vehicle must contain a warning triangle, reflective vest and first-aid kit (check that it is not expired) to pass an inspection.
REGISTERING A PURCHASED USED VEHICLE
Sales between government ID cardholders require the presence of all buyers and sellers. To transfer ownership and register a vehicle with temporary plates (or permanent plates if the vehicle has been inspected), the buyer takes these documents to the Registry of Motor Vehicles on base:
• Military ID card
• U.S. Forces Certificate of License (USAREUR)
• Proof of insurance (name must match buyer on bill of sale and person registering car)
• Application for Motor Vehicle Registration and Allied Transactions (AE Form 190-1AA)
• Completed bill of sale, signed by all of the registered owners and buyer
• AE Form 550-175A and the U.S. title/registration for U.S. specification vehicles
• Title book (“Fahrzeugbrief”) and deregulation form (“Abmeldebescheinigung”) for European specification vehicles
• Check or money order payable to “USAREUR Registration Fund” (some offices accept credit cards)
A NOTE TO SELLERS
A service member may sell a used vehicle to a local national or non-ID cardholders if they have owned the vehicle for at least six months. The vehicle must clear U.S. and German customs before the sale is final. Contact your installation’s Customs Field Office for details.
