Posted on Sep 20, 2018
PCS to Germany. Bring a car or just leave it? What are the stipulations on getting it over and getting it registered? Other German hassles?.
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Wiesbaden
PCS
Transportation
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 9
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If it’s a fairly new, 100% to go I would bring it.
If the car has any issues at all (even a dry rotted bushing) it would be a complete headache to register it. They will fail you for the smallest issues that you wouldn’t even think of. My experience from when I was in Wiesbaden from 2012-2015.
https://europe.stripes.com/pcs/know-you-go-vehicle-inspection-registration-germany
If the car has any issues at all (even a dry rotted bushing) it would be a complete headache to register it. They will fail you for the smallest issues that you wouldn’t even think of. My experience from when I was in Wiesbaden from 2012-2015.
https://europe.stripes.com/pcs/know-you-go-vehicle-inspection-registration-germany
Know before you go: Vehicle inspection & registration in Germany | Stripes Europe
The 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron Privately Owned Vehicle Inspection Center on Kapaun Air Station provides a free POV mechanical inspection to the Kaiserslautern Military Community. With more than 30,000 vehicles inspected each year, our goal is to ensure POVs are maintained and operated in accordance with USAREUR Reg 190-1.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SGT (Join to see) to pile on what SSG (Join to see) said, the vehicle inspection station is tough. I had do to a bunch of maintenance to my German beater (1988 Opel, yeah, see me rollin, know you're hatin) just to sell it to someone else. Long day in the auto craft shop. this was 2012 in Heidelberg.
You need to ensure that your lien holder is ok with bringing your car overseas and your insurance company will carry you in Europe.
Having a car is essential. Getting your USAREUR license is about a two week wait, contingent on you passing an international driving exam. Sign recognition critical. You will be glued to your sponsor until you get a license and get wheels, either yours at the port or buying one off the lemon lot. Get your sponsor to send you the book in advance. Dealing without a car over seas is a pain. Nothing is all on one Kasserne. You have to go to multiple little blobs of America across 2-3 German towns to do anything. The shuttles are a tease.
BMWs are nothing special there, their like a chevy here. Don't get tricked into buying top dollar for a German Spec car that you'll have to sell anyway.
A third option is to buy a new car there. Most states will consider your car to be used if it is 3 years or more old.this process will take 6-8 weeks depending on holidays etc. most posts have a sixt car rental place.
I would recommend carrying your US state vehicle registration while you are there. I bought a US Spec car there and I got nothing but grief registering it back in CONUS.
You need to ensure that your lien holder is ok with bringing your car overseas and your insurance company will carry you in Europe.
Having a car is essential. Getting your USAREUR license is about a two week wait, contingent on you passing an international driving exam. Sign recognition critical. You will be glued to your sponsor until you get a license and get wheels, either yours at the port or buying one off the lemon lot. Get your sponsor to send you the book in advance. Dealing without a car over seas is a pain. Nothing is all on one Kasserne. You have to go to multiple little blobs of America across 2-3 German towns to do anything. The shuttles are a tease.
BMWs are nothing special there, their like a chevy here. Don't get tricked into buying top dollar for a German Spec car that you'll have to sell anyway.
A third option is to buy a new car there. Most states will consider your car to be used if it is 3 years or more old.this process will take 6-8 weeks depending on holidays etc. most posts have a sixt car rental place.
I would recommend carrying your US state vehicle registration while you are there. I bought a US Spec car there and I got nothing but grief registering it back in CONUS.
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SGT (Join to see)
Much appreciate. I have a 2014 Cadillac I bought used and I don’t want to deal with the craziness of getting it shipped over just to turn around and not be able to use it.
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Hi Ryan,
This is a little dated now but there's some good information in here for you:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/bring-my-vehicle-to-germany-or-not
This is a little dated now but there's some good information in here for you:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/bring-my-vehicle-to-germany-or-not
Bring my Vehicle to Germany or not? | RallyPoint
Is it worth selling my older vehicle now before I move to Germany and buy a "for now" car while im there, OR just bring my jeep with me and finish a few repairs so as to pass the emissions testing there? (hopefully pass emissions)
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